21 Praises of Tara At the Maui BlissFest

The Mandala Dance of the 21 Praises of Tara At the MauiBlissFest 9-21-2012

Summary & transcript below…

• [00:02 → 04:38]
  Invocation and Refuge Ceremony
• The video opens with a musical and devotional atmosphere, featuring repeated invocations to spiritual presences.
• The speaker evokes the lineage of teachers, enlightened beings, their teachings, and the community of practitioners, emphasizing the inspiration drawn from them.
• The core practice introduced is the refuge in the Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma (teachings), and the Sangha (community). This refuge is taken with the aspiration to attain enlightenment for the sake of all beings.
• The repetition of the refuge vows signifies deep commitment:
  • “I go for Refuge to the three jewels”
  • “I will attain enlightenment for the sake of all beings.”
• The theme is one of devotional grounding and spiritual inspiration, establishing the foundation for the subsequent practices.
• The repeated musical interludes enhance the meditative and sacred tone of the session.
• [04:38 → 10:20]
  Purification and Connection to the Lineage
• The practice shifts to purifying the connection to the lineage of teachers and the compassionate power generated through practice.
• There is a request or prayer for the continuity and purity of spiritual connection(“purify our connection”).
• Tara, a central figure in the practice, is introduced as a source of compassion and creative power.
• The practitioner acknowledges the power and virtue of Tara, praising her as a destroyer of negativity and as a being worthy of honor.
• The atmosphere includes applause and reverence, suggesting a communal or ceremonial context.
• The session highlights the transformative power of Tara’s compassion, which can dispel obstacles and negativity from the practitioner’s path.
• The segment ends emphasizing Tara as a light and source of impeccable virtue.
• [10:20 → 25:41]
  Praise and Visualization of Tara’s Qualities
• This segment continues with praises directed toward Tara, emphasizing her role as a remover of sorrow, destroyer of negativity, and source of peace and joy.
• The repetitive chanting and musical elements reinforce a deep meditative focus on Tara’s qualities.
• The speaker or group expresses a personal connection: “I love you too, Tara,” indicating devotional intimacy.
• Tara is described as a powerful protector against demons, disease, and all obstacles.
• The segment underscores the transformative effect of Tara’s presence, manifesting as shining light that dispels darkness and suffering.
• The mood is joyful and triumphant, celebrating the efficacy of Tara’s compassionate energy.
• [25:41 → 34:47]
  Healing, Empowerment, and Mutual Compassion
• The practice extends to healing and balancing the Earth, invoking Tara’s power to remove pain, suffering, poverty, illness, and negativity globally.
• The metaphor of darkness being consumed by the light of wisdom and compassionis emphasized, highlighting the purifying and transformative nature of the practice.
• There is a theme of passing on light and wisdom from one practitioner to another, reinforcing the communal and interdependent nature of spiritual practice.
• The speaker calls on venerable, compassionate beings as cures for suffering, and invokes auspicious signs both in this world and beyond.
• The segment ends with a wish for the spread of pure light and truth through diligent practice, reflecting a hope for universal benefit and spiritual progress.
• [34:47 → 42:18]
  Blessings and Expansion of Compassion
• This segment focuses on the growth of realization of truth and compassion, symbolized through imagery like the waxing moon, associated with the Buddha of infinite light.
• The speaker calls upon the female aspect of all Buddhas, asking that all beings may access the power and blessings of the prayers and praises offered.
• The dedication of merit and blessings to the end of all quarrels and suffering is a key element, emphasizing peace and happiness for all.
• The energy and blessings cultivated in the session are meant to be sent out broadly, with an invitation to reflect on where one will direct this spiritual energy.
• The segment ends with an invitation to dedicate the practice’s benefits to the happiness and freedom of all beings, emphasizing altruistic intention.
• [42:18 → End]
  Dedication and Closing Reflections
• The final part invites practitioners to consider their deepest concerns and those they care about, including family, community, country, and the world.
• There is a call to dedicate the positive energy and prayers generated during the practice to these concerns, reinforcing the interconnectedness of personal and collective well-being.
• The closing wishes include:
  • “May all beings be happy.”
  • “May all beings be free.”
• The video ends with musical and chanting elements, creating a peaceful and uplifting closure to the session.

Summary Table of Key Themes and Practices

Key Insights

• The practice centers on devotion to Tara, a female Buddha embodiment of compassion and protection.
• Refuge in the Three Jewels is foundational, expressing commitment to enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.
• Purification of spiritual connections and lineage support is crucial for effective practice.
• Tara’s qualities include the power to dispel negativity, remove sorrow, heal illness, and empower practitioners.
• The session emphasizes mutual empowerment, communal practice, and the transmission of wisdom.
• Dedication of merit to the happiness and freedom of all beings reflects a strong altruistic motivation.
• Symbolism such as the waxing moon and spreading light reinforce themes of growth, illumination, and hope.

Core Concepts Defined

Conclusion

This video presents a devotional and ritual practice centered on Tara, integrating prayers, chants, praises, and visualizations to cultivate compassion, purification, and empowerment. The refuge in the Three Jewels sets the aspirational framework, while the praises to Tara emphasize her transformative power to remove obstacles and suffering. The practice is deeply communal and altruistic, culminating in the dedication of merit to all beings’ happiness and freedom. The use of poetic symbolism and repeated musical elements fosters a meditative and uplifting spiritual atmosphere throughout.

Transcript