Praises to the Twenty-One Taras is a traditional prayer in Tibetan Buddhism to the female Bodhisattva Tara. When you chant these praises, something magical happens and you feel yourself transcend into another realm. Every word/syllable you pronounce with your deep concentration transcends your consciousness. In this article, I will introduce you to the Twenty-One Taras and to the magical practice of Praises to the Twenty-One Taras.

Twenty-One Taras

Each of the twenty-one emanations of Tara is a different color and an entity in her own right, addressing different manifestations of our existence that require assistance from the goddess.

Here is a description of the Twenty-One Taras:

1. Red Tara, the quick heroine who grants the power of control and effective persuasion.
2. The Great Peaceful White Tara, who pacifies spirit harms, negative karma, delusions, and diseases.
3. The Great Increasing One, Golden Tara, who increases life, merit, good fortune, fame, and prosperity.
4. The Great Long-Life Yellow Tara, who grants longevity.
5. The Great Hum-making Orange Tara, who brings other beings close to you.
6. Black-Red Tara, victorious over the Three Worlds, who protects from spirit harm.
7. Black Tara, slightly wrathful, who dispels all black magic and harmful spells.
8. Red Tara, destroyer of the enemy Mara, who destroys the four types of mara.
9. White Tara, the three sublime, who protects all beings from fear and danger.
10. Red Tara, destroyer of maras, who controls the world.
11. Orange Tara, eliminator of poverty, who brings wealth.
12. The Orange Tara of auspicious beauty, who makes everything auspicious.
13. Fire-Blazing Red Tara, who pierces your enemy (which is the delusion of your own mind).
14. Black Tara, slightly wrinkled and wrathful, who pierces interference.
15. White Tara, the great pacifier, who brings harmony.
16. Red Tara, liberating with wisdom-Hum, for wisdom and increasing the power of mantras.
17. Orange Tara, shaking the three worlds, who controls the power of mantras.
18. White Tara, who eliminates poisons and overcomes their effects.
19. White Tara, for release from prison and overcoming quarrels and fights.
20. Orange Tara, for eliminating contagious diseases.
21. White Tara, whose venerable actions make all activities successful.

How To Practice Praises To The Twenty-One Taras?

Go slowly initially, and feel the words, syllables, and their meanings transcending your consciousness. Soon you will discover your own rhythm.

As you recite, contemplate as follows: with each praise and prostration, just as one spark of fire comes from another, a replica of Tara manifests and sinks into you.

Visualization

While reciting the Praises to the Twenty-One Taras it’s very beneficial to perform the following visualization.

Visualize how The white syllable āḥ consisting of light, appears in your heart. It turns into a white lunar disk. In the center of the disc appears the green syllable Tāṃ. This syllable represents the essence of the bliss-filled, omniscient mind of Tara, embodying wisdom and compassion. There are the syllables of the mantra OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA around the Tam syllable on the lunar disk. These syllables of the mantra are created out of the green light.

Visualize how a rainbow light emanates in all directions from the syllable Tam. This light is calling Tara, who then appears in the space in front of you.

Tara is sitting on the Lotus flower and the moon disk. She is young and extraordinarily beautiful. Her Divine body is made of emerald light. Her right-hand rests on her right knee in a gesture of giving.

With her left hand, she is holding the blue Lotus.

Her left leg is tucked in and her right leg is slightly extended. Her face is radiant with beauty, and with loving-kindness she is smiling.

Space around Her is filled with 21 Tara, as well as all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

Visualize that all living beings are sitting around you. And you are performing Praises to the Twenty-One Taras for all these beings and the whole world.

The Praises To The Twenty-One Taras (English Version)

Let me and all who needs protection,
Enter beneath your right-hand mudra
Of granting boons and refuge mudra,
And be relieved from every fear.

OM I prostrate to the goddess foe destroyer, liberating lady Tara
Homage to TARE, saviouress, heroine,
With TUTTARE dispelling all fears,
Granting all benefits with TURE,
To her with sound SOHA, I bow.

Invocation

From your sublime abode at the Potala, O Tara,
Born from the green letter TAM
Your crown adorned with Amitabha,
Action mother of the buddhas of the three times,
Tara, please come with your attendants.

The gods and demi-gods bow to your lotus feet, O Tara,
Your who rescue all who are destitute,
To you, Mother Tara, I pay homage.

The Praises

Om! I prostrate to the noble transcendent liberator!

1. Homage! Tara, swift, heroic!
Eyes like lightning instantaneous!
Sprung from op’ning stamens of the
Lord of three world’s tear-born lotus!

2. Homage! She whose face combines a
Hundred autumn moons at fullest!
Blazing with light rays resplendent
As a thousand star collection!

3. Homage! Golden-blue one, lotus
Water born, in hand adorned!
Giving, effort, calm, austerities,
Patience, meditation her sphere!

4. Homage! Crown of tathagatas,
Actions triumph without limit
Relied on by conquerors’ children,
Having reached every perfection!

5. Homage! Filling with TUTTARE,
HUM, desire, direction, and space!
Trampling with her feet the seven worlds,
Able to draw forth all beings!

6. Homage! Worshipped by the all-lords,
Shakra, Agni, Brahma, Marut!
Honored by the hosts of spirits,
Corpse-raisers, Gandharvas, yakshas!

7. Homage! With Her TRAD and PHAT sounds
Destroying foes’ magic diagrams!
Her feet pressing, left out, right in,
Blazing in a raging fire-blaze!

8. Homage! TURE, very dreadful!
Destroyer of Mara’s champion(s)!
She with frowning lotus visage
Who is the slayer of all enemies!

9. Homage! At the heart her fingers,
Adorn her with Three Jewel mudra!
Light-ray masses all excited!
All directions’ wheels adorn her!

10. Homage! She so joyous, radiant,
Crown emitting garlands of light!
Mirthful, laughing with TUTTARE,
Subjugating maras, devas!

11. Homage! She able to summon
All earth-guardians’ assembly!
Shaking, frowning, with her HUM sign
Saving from every misfortune!

12. Homage! Crown adorned with crescent
Moon, all ornaments most shining!
Amitabha in her hair-knot
Sending out much light eternal!

13. Homage! She ’mid wreath ablaze like
Eon-ending fire abiding!
Right stretched, left bent, joy surrounds you
Troops of enemies destroying!

14. Homage! She who strikes the ground with
Her palm, and with her foot beats it!
Scowling, with the letter HUM the
Seven levels she does conquer!

15. Homage! Happy, virtuous, peaceful!
She whose field is peace, nirvana!
She endowed with OM and SOHA,
Destroyer of the great evil!

16. Homage! She with joy surrounded
Tearing foes’ bodies asunder,
Frees with HUM and knowledge mantra,
Arrangement of the ten letters!

17. Homage! TURE! With seed letter
Of the shape of syllable HUM!
By foot-stamping shakes the three worlds,
Meru, Mandara, and Vindhya!

18. Homage! Holding in her hand the
Hare-marked moon of deva-lake form!
With twice spoken TARA and PHAT,
Totally dispelling poison!

19. Homage! She whom gods and their kings,
And the kinnaras do honor!
Armored in all joyful splendor,
She dispels bad dreams and conflicts!

20. Homage! She whose two eyes bright with
Radiance of sun and full moon!
With twice HARA and TUTTARE
She dispels severe contagion!

21. Homage! Full of liberating
Pow’r by the set of three natures!
Destroys hosts of spirits, yakshas,
And raised corpses! Supreme! TURE!

The following dedications may be made:

Due to the vast merit, I create with this practice, please, Mother Tara, may I soon attain your enlightened state that I may liberate all sentient beings from their suffering. May the precious bodhi mind in me, not yet born, arise and grow. May the bodhicitta already born within me have no decline but instead, increase forevermore.

In all my rebirths may I never be separated from perfect spiritual masters and enjoy the magnificent Dharma. May I complete all qualities and stages of the path and may I quickly attain the state of Vajradhara.

The Praises To The Twenty-One Taras (Tibetan Version)

Invocation

PO TA LA YI NÄ CHHOG NÄ
TAM YIG JANG KHU LÄ THRUNG SHING
ÖPAG ME KYI U LA GYÄN
DÜ SUM SANG GYÄ THRIN LÄ MA
DRÖL MA KHOR CHÄ SHEG SU SÖL

Prostration

LHA DANG LHA MIN CHÖ PÄN GYI
ZHAB KYI PÄ MO LA TÜ DE
PHONG PA KÜN LÄ DRÖL DZÄ MA
DRÖL MA YUM LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO

The Praises

OM JE TSÜN MA PHAG MA DRÖL MA LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO

1. CHHAG TSHÄL DRÖL MA NYUR MA PA MO
   CHÄN NI KÄ CHIG LOG DANG DRA MA
   JIG TEN SUM GÖN CHHU KYE ZHÄL GYI
   GE SAR JE WA LÄ NI JUNG MA
2. CHHAG TSHÄL TÖN KÄI DA WA KÜN TU
   GANG WA GYA NI TSEG PÄI ZHÄL MA
   KAR MA TONG THRAG TSHOG PA NAM KYI
   RAB TU CHHE WÄI Ö RAB BAR MA
3. CHHAG TSHÄL SER NGO CHHU NÄ KYE KYI
   PÄ MÄ CHHAG NI NAM PAR GYÄN MA
   JIN PA TSÖN DRÜ KA THUB ZHI WA
   ZÖ PA SAM TÄN CHÖ YÜL NYI MA
4. CHHAG TSHÄL DE ZHIN SHEG PÄI TSUG TOR
   THA YÄ NAM PAR GYÄL WAR CHÖ MA
   MA LÜ PHA RÖL CHHIN PA THOB PÄI
   GYÄL WÄI SÄ KYI SHIN TU TEN MA
5. CHHAG TSHÄL TUTTARA HUM YI GE
   DÖ DANG CHHOG DANG NAM KHA GANG MA
   JIG TEN DÜN PO ZHAB KYI NÄN TE
   LÜ PA ME PAR GUG PAR NÜ MA
6. CHHAG TSHÄL GYA JIN ME LHA TSHANG PA
   LUNG LHA NA TSHOG WANG CHHUG CHHÖ MA
   JUNG PO RO LANG DRI ZA NAM DANG
   NÖ JIN TSHOG KYI DÜN NÄ TÖ MA
7. CHHAG TSHÄL TRAD CHE JA DANG PHAT KYI
   PHA RÖL THRÜL KHOR RAB TU JOM MA
   YÄ KUM YÖN KYANG ZHAB KYI NÄN TE
   ME BAR THRUG PA SHIN TU BAR MA
8. CHHAG TSHÄL TURE JIG PA CHHEN PO
   DÜ KYI PA WO NAM PAR JOM MA
   CHHU KYE ZHÄL NI THRO NYER DÄN DZÄ
   DRA WO THAM CHÄ MA LÜ SÖ MA
9. CHHAG TSHÄL KÖN CHHOG SUM TSHÖN CHHAG GYÄI
   SOR MÖ THUG KAR NAM PAR GYÄN MA
   MA LÜ CHHOG KYI KHOR LÖ GYÄN PÄI
   RANG GI Ö KYI TSHOG NAM THRUG MA
10. CHHAG TSHÄL RAB TU GA WA JI PÄI
    U GYÄN Ö KYI THRENG WA PEL MA
    ZHE PA RAB ZHÄ TUTTARA YI
    DÜ DANG JIG TEN WANG DU DZÄ MA
11. CHHAG TSHÄL SA ZHI KYONG WÄI TSHOG NAM
    THAM CHÄ GUG PAR NÜ MA NYI MA
    THRO NYER YO WÄI YI GE HUM GI
    PHONG PA THAM CHÄ NAM PAR DRÖL MA
12. CHHAG TSHÄL DA WÄI DUM BÜ U GYÄN
    GYÄN PA THAM CHÄ SHIN TU BAR MA
    RÄL PÄI KHUR NA Ö PAG ME LÄ
    TAG PAR SHIN TU Ö RAB DZÄ MA
13. CHHAG TSHÄL KÄL PÄI THA MÄI ME TAR
    BAR WÄI THRENG WÄI Ü NA NÄ MA
    YÄ KYANG YÖN KUM KÜN NÄ KOR GÄI
    DRA YI PUNG NI NAM PAR JOM MA
14. CHHAG TSHÄL SA ZHII NGÖ LA CHHAG GI
    THIL GYI NÜN CHING ZHAB KYI DUNG MA
    THRO NYER CHÄN DZÄ YI GE HUM GI
    RIM PA DÜN PO NAM NI GEM MA
15. CHHAG TSHÄL DE MA GE MA ZHI MA
    NYA NGÄN DÄ ZHI CHÖ YÜL NYI MA
    SVAHA OM DANG YANG DAG DÄN PÄ
    DIG PA CHHEN PO JOM PA NYI MA
16. CHHAG TSHÄL KÜN NÄ KOR RAB GA WÄI
    DRA YI LÜ NI NAM PAR GEM MA
    YI GE CHU PÄI NGAG NI KÖ PÄI
    RIG PA HUM LÄ DRÖL MA NYI MA
17. CHHAG TSHÄL TURE ZHAB NI DEB PÄ
    HUM GI NAM PÄI SA BÖN NYI MA
    RI RAB MANDHARA DANG BIG JE
    JIG TEN SUM NAM YO WA NYI MA
18. CHHAG TSHÄL LHA YI TSHO YI NAM PÄI
    RI DAG TAG CHÄN CHHAG NA NAM MA
    TARA NYI JÖ PHAT KYI YI GE
    DUG NAM MA LÜ PA NI SEL MA
19. CHHAG TSHÄL LHA YI TSHOG NAM GYÄL PO
    LHA DANG MI AM CHI YI TEN MA
    KÜN NÄ GO CHHA GA WÄI JI GYI
    TSÖ DANG MI LAM NGÄN PA SEL MA
20. CHHAG TSHÄL NYI MA DA WA GYÄ PÄI
    CHÄN NYI PO LA Ö RAB SÄL MA
    HARA NYI JÖ TUTTARA YI
    SHIN TU DRAG PÖI RIM NÄ SEL MA
21. CHHAG TSHÄL DE NYI SUM NAM KÖ PÄ
    ZHI WÄI THÜ DANG YANG DAG DÄN MA
    DÖN DANG RO LANG NÖ JIN TSHOG NAM
    JOM PA TURE RAB CHHOG NYI MA

TSA WÄI NGAG KYI TÖ PA DI DANG
CHHAG TSHÄL WA NI NYI SHU TSA CHIG

Peace mantra is one of the simplest to learn yet most powerful mantras. If you are following a spiritual path and want to help humanity achieve peace and harmony then you should consider chanting the peace mantra part of your daily spiritual practice. By practicing this powerful mantra, we begin to feel our unity with the whole world. As a result, we start feeling more centered. Our souls come to peace and harmony.

In this article, I’ll share with you what peace mantra is, how to chant it, and why so many people all over the world chant its sacred syllables daily.

What Is Peace Mantra?

The mantra OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI OM is the Peace mantra.

OM Syllable

Om is the sound of the whole cosmic manifestation.

The value of the mantra OM was emphasized by many sages and yogins. Patanjali said that one can achieve enlightenment by sitting in Padmasana (Lotus Pose) and chanting the OM mantra with full attention (while concentrating the mind on the meaning of OM mantra).

OM is also considered to be a Bija mantra (the “seed” or awakening sound, which has the property of directly affecting all our subtle bodies).

Like a bullet passing through the tissues, OM penetrates the entire being of the practitioner, starting from the physical body and ending with the causal body.

Moreover, it is believed that it is from the OM sound (vibration) that our entire manifested Universe was born in the form in which we now observe it – a magnificent illusion, which appears dense and real to the unenlightened.

OM is not just the universal sound (vibration), but the sound of the Universe itself.

For example in the Mandukya Upanishad, it is said:

Om! — This syllable is this whole world.

Its further explanation is: —
The past, the present, the future — everything is just the word Om.

And whatever else that transcends threefold time — that, too, is just the word Om.

Therefore we can say that OM symbolizes reality. It represents everything in the universe, past, present, and future. It is also believed that OM represents both – the mundane world of time in which the mind normally functions, and the world as perceived by the mind that is awakened and that experiences the world timelessly. OM vibration represents both –enlightenment and non-enlightenment.

We can say that OM is the equivalent of white light, in which all of the colors of the rainbow can be found.

Shanti

Shanti means peace, rest, calmness, tranquility, or bliss. It is a state in which one experiences a reverent, conscious calmness and the inspiration of full awareness of what is happening.

This state can be called a state in which one is awed by the realization of higher truths, values, and purpose. It can be achieved only after a deep experience of calmness and inspiration.

In some Buddhist texts, “Shanti” sometimes becomes synonymous with Nirvana. As you may know, Nirvana is the experience of infinite peace and tranquility. Therefore the words ‘Nirvana’ and ‘Shanti’ are used as synonymous. In the Hindu Pantheon, there is even a Goddess named Shanti, whose main purpose is to help in achieving a state of blissful and infinite tranquility.

OM Shanti

‘Om Shanti‘ means peace for the all humankind, peace for all living and nonliving beings, peace for the Universe, peace for everyone and everything in this whole cosmic manifestation. Shortly, it can be translated as “Peace Be With You”.

Chanting the word ‘Shanti’ 3 times has a meaning too:

The first ‘Shanti’ liberates us from physical burdens. It purifies us from negative thoughts related to our etheric bodies.

The second ‘Shanti’ cleanses our mind and soul. It purifies our minds from negative emotions like jealousy, hatred, anger, and worries.

The third ‘Shanti’ creates a protective energy shield that hides us from accidents and natural disasters.

Some spiritual teachers indicate that when Shanti mantra is repeated three times, the first repetition of ‘Shanti’ represents the establishment of peace on the planet (no disasters), the second repetition of ‘Shanti’ represents the establishment of peace in the society (no wars), and the third repetition of ‘Shani’ represents the establishment of peace in the soul of the practitioner.

Thinking this way, the practitioner manifests happiness for everyone, claims that he/she cares not only about his/her own well-being, but also wants the best for the whole planet and humanity.

Shanti mantra is considered to be one of the most powerful mantras used to achieve peace of mind and soul. This mantra conveys a deep sense of universal peace and serenity, called Nirvana. It is this state that allows us to merge with eternity and achieve inner and outer peace.

Osho Interpretation of the Peace Mantra

This is what Indian mystic Osho said about the Peace mantra:

OM is the symbol of the universal heartbeat; it is not a word. And as you come closer and closer to the universal heartbeat, the by-product is a deepening silence. Shanti means silence and it is always repeated three times because by the time you reach to the fourth, you are no more – just the silence has remained. You have disappeared as an entity separate from the universe.

– Osho

Shanti Mantra Benefits

Shanti mantra is based on two basic principles that, in fact, can not exist separately: harmony with the outside world and your inner spirituality. When we are chanting this powerful mantra we balance these two principles in our lives. So even if we see some events or situations that go against our spiritual beliefs we don’t get frustrated about them anymore. We develop an understanding that there is nothing unfair in this world, that everything has its purpose. In other words, we start seeing the material world through the prism of spirituality.

It is even surprising that just a couple of simple syllables have such power!!

Other Benefits of Shanti Mantra:

1. cleanses your aura from negative energy;
2. brings you inner peace and balance;
3. adjusts the energy flows in your subtle body;
4. removes negative feelings, thoughts, and emotions;
5. cleanses the space around you from negative and toxic energy;
6. prepares you to receive true wisdom and knowledge;
7. relaxes and calms down;
8. increases focus and concentration;
9. brings the feeling of unity with the world;
10. relieves anxiety and depression;
11. helps to see the higher purpose, etc.

How to Chant the Peace Mantra?

The Peace mantra should be repeated three times (referring to the word ‘Shanti’) on the exhale.

When chanting ‘Shanti’ the first time it should be pronounced clearly and very loudly so that Nature can hear your chant. It is believed that this call calms raging forces of nature, even such as tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquakes.

When chanting ‘Shanti’ the second time it should be pronounced quieter as if calling for silence and serenity in the world. This minimizes all scandals, illness, quarrels, injuries, and other troubles.

When chanting ‘Shanti’ the third time it should be pronounced very quietly, almost whispering. It is an appeal to one’s own spiritual world or subconscious, calling the soul to complete calm.

The Bottom Line

According to Buddhist teaching, living ethically is a path to peace. In Buddhist ethical practice, this means abstaining from actions that cause harm to yourself or others. In other words, we should not only cultivate our inner peace but also take peace into the world by practicing compassion, and by living ethically. Therefore, if you decided to start practicing the Peace mantra, you should be focusing on peaceful ethical living. The bare minimum you can do is trying to avoid causing physical harm through direct physical actions or through encouraging others to cause harm.

In my article “Maitreya: the Coming of the Future Buddha” I shared with you who Maitreya is, when He comes, and what awaits humanity with His arrival. In this article, I want to introduce you to a very powerful mantra that literally transforms your life into divine existence. This mantra is Maitreya Buddha Mantra. By chanting this mantra you will not just improve your life but also it will assist the manifestation of the Maitreya Buddha arrival on our planet.

Maitreya Buddha – the Buddha of Future

Maitreya is the Buddha of the future, the fifth teaching Buddha in this eon of 1,000 Buddhas. He is a bodhisattva who will appear on Earth in the future, achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma. He will be a successor to the present Buddha, Gautama Buddha.

The name ‘Maitreya’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘maitrī’ which can be translated as ‘friendship’, which is in turn derived from the noun ‘mitra’ which can be translated as ‘friend’.

According to the Mahayana tradition, as a bodhisattva, He refuses to achieve nirvana because of His compassion for all sentient beings and His need to be reborn again for protecting and taking care of others. Therefore Maitreya Buddha is often called “the embodiment of loving-kindness”.

When Maitreya Buddha arrives on Earth, He will preach loving-kindness and inspire others to follow a virtuous path to enlightenment.

Maitreya Buddha Mantra Benefits

Maitreya Buddha Mantra can be chanted for receiving blessings, abundance, wealth and happiness. However, there are two primary reasons for chanting this mantra:

1. To take rebirth in Tushita Heaven, so as to receive the teaching of the Dharma;
2. To gain sufficient merits as to obtain a rebirth during Maitreya’s appearance on Earth, to hear His teachings and to be saved by Him.

As a compassionate being, Maitreya always helps to those who chant His mantra with faith, purity of intention, and effort.

Seed Mantra of Maitreya

The Maitri mantra is a seed mantra associated with Maitreya.

The text:

OM MAITRI MAITREYA MAHA KARUNA YE

Maitreya Buddha Mantra

The text:

NAMO RATNA TRAYA YA
NAMO BHAGAVATE SHAKYAMUNIYE
TATHAGATAYA
ARHATE SAMYAKSAM BUDDHAYA
TAYATA
OM AJITE AJITE APARAJITE
AJITEN CHAYA
HA RA HA RA MAITRI AWALOK ITE
KARA KARA MAHA SAMAYA SIDDHI
BHARA BHARA MAHA BODHI MANDA BIJA
MARA MARA EMA KAM SAMAYA
BODHI BODHI MAHA BODHI SOHA
OM MOHI MOHI MAHA MOHI SOHA
OM MUNI MUNI MARA SOHA

Maitreya Buddha Mantra Translation by Lama Yeshe:

”Homage to the Lord Shakyamuni, Tathagata, Arhat, Completely Perfect Buddha
Om Invincible, Invincible, Unconquered
Conquer the Unconquered, take, take
You Who Look Down with Friendliness, act, act
Bring, bring the fulfillment of your great pledge
Shake the seat of great awakening
Remember, remember pledge for us
Awakening, awakening, great awakening, soha.”

Visualization

While chanting (or listening) the mantra, visualize Maitreya Buddha sitting on a throne supported by eight snow lions, and He is about to rise in response to your prayer.

There is a stupa on His head, symbolizing respect for Shakyamuni Buddha. Above His head is a parasol, one of the eight auspicious objects, signifying Maitreya’s powers of protection against evil influences.

The Bottom Line

Maitreya Buddha Mantra is long, and the syllables take time to get used to, but once they penetrate your mind, the mantra creates its own magic. Soon you will find yourself drifting, and feeling unaccountably happy.