On Thursday evenings we offer a Green Tara Puja, led by Venerable Losang when he is in town, and on all other weeks, by senior teaching student and former TBC president Ken Klein. We begin around 7:30 pm and usually conclude around 8:30 pm or so. Sometimes we read in english, and sometimes in Tibetan (that would be the transliteration, for most of us.) Typically smaller and more modest offerings than our Sundays, these Thursday evenings are an excellent way to share a quiet space, engage in a beautiful practice, and ensure a sweet close to the work week.
The female deity Arya Tara, called Drolma in Tibetan, is one of the main objects of devotional worship and meditative practice in Vajrayana Buddhism. She is a fully-enlightened buddha who dispels fears, overcomes negative emotions, and develops in us strong feelings of joy and happiness. She assumes 21 forms, some peaceful, some semi-wrathful, and some wrathful, addressing particular situations in our lives. Her compassion is boundless, and those who meditate on Tara are likewise imbued with compassion for all sentient beings.
"Puja" is a Pali word which means "flower," and is understood to have originated from the practice of offering flowers to Shakyamuni Buddha. It is an expression of honor, worship and devotion. This sadhana is closely related to the Tara sadhana we often recite on Sunday mornings, and is a very important part of our Buddhist practice. It's a beautiful way to bid a close to the work week. And our TBC space is simply a gem of a place to be around sunset.
For scheduling questions or for further information, please see our bi-weekly e-newsletter, our calendar and Weblog listings, our website in general, or contact Ken Klein by email or 610.513.0862.
On a lotus seat, standing for realization of voidness,
(You are) the emerald-colored, one-faced, two-armed Lady
In youth's full bloom, right leg out, left drawn in,
Showing the union of wisdom and art - homage to you!Like the outstretched branch of the heavenly turquoise tree,
Your supple right hand makes the boon- granting gesture,
Inviting the wise to a feast of supreme accomplishments,
As if to an entertainment-homage to you!Your left hand gives us refuge, showing the Three Jewels;
It says, "You people who see a hundred dangers,
Don't be frightened-I shall swiftly save you!"
Homage to you!Both hands signal with blue utpala flowers,
"Samsaric beings! Cling not to worldly pleasures.
Enter the great city of liberation!"
Flower-goads prodding us to effort-homage to you!
---First Dalai Lama (1391-1474)