Eight Taras Who Protect from the Great Eight Perils: Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa Tradition

Eight Taras of Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa Tradition

The 19th‑century Tibetan master Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa (1829‑1870) is recognized as a major tertön (treasure‑revealer) in the Nyingma tradition. He revealed many termas—hidden teachings meant for specific times and beings—and these form the corpus known as the Chokling Tersar. 
Within his termas, special emphasis is placed on the practice of Tārā in the form of the “Twenty‑One Tārā” lineage, wherein Tārā appears as a central compassion deity.

One of Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa's most respected writings is The Profound Essence of Tara (Zaptik Drolchok), which is a comprehensive Green Tara sadhana. According to some tales, one morning at dawn, the tertön saw Lady Tara emerge brilliantly in the sky before him. Tara bestowed the insight known as The Essential Instructions on the Triple Excellence (Lekso Sum) to him by saying the word "Excellent!" (lekso) three times. Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa transcribed The Profound Essence of Tara from his awakened state, a treasure that gives the necessary directions for Tara practice through more profound levels of tantra, culminating in the pinnacle teachings of Atiyoga (Dzogchen).

The Tārās Who Protect against the Eight Perils is a powerful ritual that emphasizes Tara's ability to alleviate anxiety and sorrow. But first, lets understand what are the great Eight Fears. 

What Are The Eight Great Fears?

In Buddhist tantra, Tārā is honored as the Mother of Liberation, a compassionate savioress who rescues beings from internal and external dangers. In her Green or White forms, she guards from the Eight Great Fears (Skt. Aṣṭamahābhaya; Tib. 'Jigs pa chen po brgyad), which threaten not only the body, but also the mind.

The Eight Taras Who Protect From the Great Eight Perils

The Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa (Chokling Tersar) tradition recognizes the Eight Taras Who Protect against the Eight Great Perils as manifestations of Ārya Tārā's enlightened activities. Each of these Taras represents a unique liberating force that counteracts one of the greatest outside and interior anxieties, moving beings from delusion to realization. They together express Tara's ever-present compassion, swift, brave, and nurturing, rescuing sentient creatures from both samsaric suffering and mental obscurations.

Each of the Eight Taras radiates a particular color, holds a distinctive tool, and sits in a position of fearless preparedness. Their shapes correspond to the eight symbolic dangers, and practitioners use visualization or prayer to turn these illnesses into the wisdom attributes of the enlightened mind.

1. Tara, Who Protects from the Fear of Lions – Dispeller of Pride

• Sanskrit Name: Simhanāda-Tārā
  Color: Blue
  Fear Overcome: Lions, symbolizing pride and arrogance
  Quality Awakened: Humility and wisdom

• Symbolism: Just as the lion’s roar instills fear, pride gives rise to arrogance that blinds one to truth. This Tara’s mantra and presence silence the roar of ego, awakening the humility that allows realization to dawn.
  

2. Tara, Who Protects from the Fear of Elephants – Dispeller of Ignorance

• Sanskrit Name: Gajendra-Tārā
  Color: Yellow
  Fear Overcome: Rampaging elephants, representing ignorance and delusion
  Quality Awakened: Clear awareness and insight
  

• Symbolism: The wild elephant of ignorance tramples wisdom. Through this, Tara’s blessings, the mind becomes tamed, calm, focused, and radiant with understanding.

3. Tara, Who Protects from the Fear of Fire – Dispeller of Hatred

• Sanskrit Name: Jvalā-Mukhi-Tārā
  Color: White
  Fear Overcome: Fire, symbolizing anger and aggression
  Quality Awakened: Loving-kindness and patience
  

• Symbolism: Fire consumes and destroys, just as hatred burns away peace. This Tara’s cooling compassion extinguishes the flames of hostility, replacing them with love and warmth toward all beings.

4. Tara, Who Protects from the Fear of Snakes – Dispeller of Jealousy

• Sanskrit Name: Nāga-Tārā
  Color: Green
  Fear Overcome: Snakes, representing jealousy and envy
  Quality Awakened: Rejoicing in others’ virtues
  

• Symbolism: The venom of jealousy poisons the heart. This Tara transforms envy into sympathetic joy, inspiring appreciation for the happiness and success of others.

5. Tara, Who Protects from the Fear of Thieves – Dispeller of Wrong Views

• Sanskrit Name: Cora-Hāriṇī-Tārā
  Color: White
  Fear Overcome: Thieves, symbolizing wrong or false views that rob one’s spiritual clarity
  Quality Awakened: Right understanding and discernment
  

• Symbolism: As thieves steal one’s possessions, false views steal wisdom and truth. This Tara guards the treasure of right understanding, ensuring the continuity of the Dharma within one’s mindstream.

6. Tara, Who Protects from the Fear of Water – Dispeller of Attachment

• Sanskrit Name: Jalāntaka-Tārā
  Color: Red
  Fear Overcome: Water and drowning, representing desire and emotional attachment
  Quality Awakened: Serenity and non-clinging
  

• Symbolism: The waves of craving pull the mind into restlessness. Through Tara’s blessing, the waters of desire are calmed, and the practitioner floats effortlessly in the vast ocean of awareness.

7. Tara, Who Protects from the Fear of Imprisonment – Dispeller of Greed

• Sanskrit Name: Bandhana-Mocanī-Tārā
  Color: Blue 
  Fear Overcome: Captivity or bondage, symbolizing greed and possessiveness
  Quality Awakened: Generosity and liberation
  

• Symbolism: The chains of greed confine the heart. This Tara cuts through attachment, freeing beings to experience the joy of giving and the spaciousness of inner freedom.

8. Tara, Who Protects from the Fear of Demons – Dispeller of Doubt

• Sanskrit Name: Bhūta-Nāśinī-Tārā
  Color: Black
  Fear Overcome: Flesh-eating demons or evil spirits, representing doubt and fear itself
  Quality Awakened: Confidence and unwavering faith
  

• Symbolism: Doubt is the most insidious demon, eroding conviction and courage. Through invoking this Tara, the practitioner gains fearlessness, clarity, and deep trust in the path.

Symbolic Unity of the Eight Taras

Though she has eight different forms, the Eight Taras are representations of the same essence, Arya Tara's compassionate mind, manifesting in various ways to address the needs of living creatures. Each is a transforming cure to one of the Eight Great Fears, exemplifying the tantric belief that any defilement, when seen with wisdom, becomes a source of enlightenment.

Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa's Zang Dü cycle, or Zaptik Drolchok, allows practitioners to meditate on each Tara individually or collectively. This lineage uses visualization, mantra recitation, and offering ceremonies to evoke Tara's blessings, cleanse karmic impediments, and create fearless insight that transcends all dualistic fear.

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