The Tara Puja, performed in the Buddhist tradition, is a ritual for liberation from sorrow. It includes a special prayer—praises to the Twenty-One Taras—composed by Buddha himself. Tara is a female Buddha, representing the ultimate wisdom of all Buddhas. Each of the twenty-one Taras is a unique manifestation of the principal Tara, Green Tara. She is also known as the Mother of the Conquerors.

Tara embodies many of the qualities associated with the feminine principle. She is known as the Mother of Mercy and Compassion. As the female aspect of the universe, she is the source of warmth, kindness, and the removal of bad karma. She nurtures and supports all beings with the unconditional love and care of a mother for her children.

Tara is our universal mother—our Holy Mother. Just as children turn to their worldly mothers for help, we turn to Tara for spiritual protection. She shields us from immediate dangers, provides for our needs, and guides us in our growth and development.

The name Tara means Rescuer. She is so called because she rescues beings from eight outer fears—lions, elephants, fire, snakes, thieves, water, bondage, and evil spirits—as well as from eight corresponding inner fears—pride, ignorance, anger, jealousy, wrong views, attachment, miserliness, and deluded doubts.

Temporarily, Tara protects us from rebirth in the three lower realms. Ultimately, she leads us out of samsara and the suffering of cyclic existence.

Reciting the twenty-one verses of praise to Tara brings inconceivable benefits. These praises are powerful because they are part of the Sutras—the actual words of Buddha. It is considered highly beneficial to recite them frequently.