Video: Prayers for Rising Out of the Patriarchy
The prayer flags were installed in the gallery with a prayer ritual in the lineage of female Buddhists led by Lama Tsultrim Allione at Tara Mandala International Buddhist Community.
Tārā Rigjema (known in Sanskrit as TĀRĀ KURUKULLĀ) is one of the pantheon of 21 Tara goddesses. In this soundtrack of her Sanskrit chant, you can hear me calling her name, asking her to come swiftly to our aid.
“Feeling a mixture of rage and such sadness...The chanting makes me teary, trusting the feelings in my body”
Swift, compassionate, and joyfully fierce, Tārā Rigjema effortlessly accomplishes the four enlightened activities of pacifying, enriching, magnetising, and destroying. The red wisdom rays from her bow and arrow dispel ignorance and in particular, arrogant pride. She magnetises the essence of everything that is beneficial.
Thanks to Louise McKenna for the original chant melody and accompaniment.
Thanks to Lopon Chanda Easton for her permission to use this practice for this artwork.
Colophon: This sadhana was extracted from the practices of the 21 Taras in the inner sadhana of Dechen Gyalmo (Queen of Great Bliss) from the Longchen Nyingtig (Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse) in response to the great necessity during the extraordinary time of the Covid19 pandemic, by Lopon Chandra Easton in accordance with instructions from Lama Tsultrim Allione, Tara Day, April 1, 2020. On Mother’s Day, May 9, 2021, the Venerable Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche gave his blessings for these Concise Tara Sadhanas at his center in upstate New York, the Padmasambhava Institute. May any mistakes be forgiven by the Protectors and may it be of vast benefit to sentient beings.