Red Tara
Tara is one of the most celebrated goddesses in the Buddhist world, representing enlightened activity in the form of the divine feminine. She protects, nurtures, and helps practitioners on the path to enlightenment. Manifesting in many forms and in many colors to help beings, Tara’s red form represents her powers of magnetization, subjugation, and the transformation of desire into enlightened activity. She is considered to be particularly powerful in times of plague and disharmony.
This comprehensive overview focuses on the origins, forms, and practices of Tara, providing the reader with insightful information and inspirations relating to the goddess. Its second part focuses on Red Tara, a powerful and liberating form of Tara that is particularly important to connect with in a time of crisis. These chapters cover various forms of Red Tara found throughout the Tibetan Buddhist world, the particular qualities she represents, and how through prayers and meditation we can embody her principles and truly benefit beings.
"While true knowledge of Mother Tara’s amplitude to aid spiritual accomplishment can only be found in the direct connection of a Buddhist practitioner to an authentic guru, an understanding of the broader historical context, literary evolution, and personal testimonies that underpin this tradition of practice prove a valuable asset to appreciate why she remains such a beloved figure in the Buddhist world. In this regard, Rachael Stevens is to be commended for her comprehensive and in-depth work on Red Tara, the particular form of Tara for magnetizing that originated in ancient India and flourished in the Sakya order and other lineages of practice in Tibet. I hope her richly researched book provides illumination for all those interested in this unique tradition of spiritual practice." —Avikrita Vajra Sakya, author of Wake Up to What Matters
"Scholars of Buddhism will appreciate this thorough volume." —Publishers Weekly
"The presentation of lineage origins, liturgical variations, and iconographic details assembled in Red Tara opens doors to her realm of enlightened emanations. From a decade of research into Indian, Tibetan, and Western sources, Rachael Stevens distills a well-organized wealth of knowledge that enhances not only intellectual understanding but also a deep sense of connectedness to past meditators who have mastered the wisdom and activities of the goddess." —Chagdud Khadro, author of Red Tara Commentary
"Little has been written about [Tara’s] red-colored forms, a lacuna that Rachael Stevens fills in Red Tara. . . . This is Tara as not just savior, but also trailblazer." —Buddhadharma
"The thorough and fascinating culmination of a decade of research into Tara’s red form." —Tricycle
"An invaluable resource for understanding the history and development of Red Tara." —H-Net Reviews
"Conveys a strong sense of Red Tara as a real, live presence in contemporary Buddhism. . . . A wide-ranging appraisal of Red Tara that fills a significant gap in western understanding." —The Mirror
"Stevens’s book carries the weight of a sacred teaching, urging the reader to absorb Tara’s wisdom. It serves as a guiding light, showing the way for those who venture into the world of the Dharma, and should be on the desk of anyone interested in Buddhism, the sacred feminine, history, meditation, or enlightenment." —Buddhistdoor Global