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Tara

World Religion
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A female Bodhisattva in Vajrayana Buddhism, especially revered in Tibet, known as a savior who rescues from fear and guides to enlightenment.

Detailed Definition
Tara exists in 21 forms, notably Green Tara (active compassion) and White Tara (longevity and healing). In poetry, she is the swift protector—emerging from a tear of Avalokitesvara, riding a lotus, answering calls instantly. Poets praise her as mother, warrior, and guide, using her to express the dynamic, nurturing power of enlightened femininity that acts without hesitation.
Example
Example in poetry:
A Tibetan poem invokes Tārā: “Green Tārā, swift savior—your lotus foot crushes fear”; In a modern verse, “Tārā isn’t distant—she’s the woman who holds my hand in labor”; A minimalist lyric: “Tārā: compassion in action”; A feminist reflection: “She’s not consort—she’s Buddha in her own right.”
Additional Notes
Tara is a beloved female bodhisattva in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, known as the "mother of liberation." She embodies active compassion and rescues beings from eight great fears. She has multiple forms, most commonly Green Tara (compassion in action) and White Tara (compassion manifesting as longevity and healing). For poets, Tara represents the divine feminine as a savior, a responsive and nurturing force who hears the cries of the world and acts swiftly to help.
Also Known As
Arya Tara Savioress
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