Who is Tārā?

Who is Tārā?

Author: Nicholas Bright Haight January 17, 2026 Duration: 21:36

Bright on Buddhism - Episode 129 - Who is Tara? What are some stories about her? How is she depicted in iconography and why?

Resources: Beer, Robert (2003). A Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols. Boston: Shambhala. ISBN 978-1590301005.

Blofeld, John (1992). The Tantric Mysticism of Tibet: A Practical Guide to the Theory, Purpose, and Techniques of Tantric Meditation. Penguin. ISBN 0-14-019336-7.

Blofeld, John (2009). Bodhisattva of Compassion: The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin. Shambhala Publications. ISBN 978-1-59030-735-9.

Conze, Edward, ed. (1964). Buddhist Texts Through the Ages. Translated by Isaline Blew Horner. Harper & Row. ISBN 978-0061301131.

Dalai Lama (1st) (September 2000). "A Short Sadhana of Green Tara" (PDF). Gaden for the West. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2012.

Getty, Alice (1998). The Gods of Northern Buddhism: Their History and Iconography. Courier. ISBN 978-0-486-25575-0.

Ghosh, Mallar (1980). Development of Buddhist Iconography in Eastern India: A Study of Tārā, Prajñās of Five Tathāgatas and Bhṛikuṭī. India: Munshiram Manoharlal. OCLC 8029740.

Kunsang, Erik Pema; et al. (2003). Rangjung Yeshe Tibetan-English Dictionary of Buddhist Culture, Version 3 on CD ROM. Nepal: Rangjung Yeshe Publications. ISBN 9627341347.

Norbu, Thinley (1999). Magic Dance: The Display of the Self-Nature of the Five Wisdom Dakinis. Shambhala Publications. ISBN 0-87773-885-8.

Sherab, Palden; Dongyal, Tsewang (2007). Tara's Enlightened Activity: Commentary on the Praises to the Twenty-one Taras. Boulder, CO: Snow Lion. ISBN 978-1-55939-287-7.

Stevens, Rachael (2022). Red Tara: The Female Buddha of Power and Magnetism. Shambhala Publications.[ISBN missing]

Thondup, Tulku (1999). Masters of Meditation and Miracles: Lives of the Great Buddhist Masters of India and Tibet. Shambhala Publications. ISBN 1-57062-509-3.

Willson, Martin (1996). In Praise of Tara: Songs to the Saviouress. Wisdom Publications. ISBN 978-0861711093.

Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by emailing us at Bright.On.Buddhism@gmail.com.

Credits:

Nick Bright: Script, Cover Art, Music, Voice of Hearer, Co-Host

Proven Paradox: Editing, mixing and mastering, social media, Voice of Hermit, Co-Host


Nicholas Bright Haight brings his academic background and personal curiosity to each episode of Bright On Buddhism. As a scholar of East Asian Buddhism currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Religion, with a specialization in pre-modern Japanese Buddhist architecture, Nick approaches these conversations with both depth and accessibility. The discussions unfold in a relaxed, question-and-answer style, making often complex philosophical and historical ideas feel approachable and immediately relevant. You’ll hear explorations that draw from his specific research areas, like Japanese Buddhist historical responses to cultural shifts, while also addressing the broader, timeless questions at the heart of the tradition. This isn’t a formal lecture series, but rather a thoughtful dialogue meant for anyone with an interest in how these ancient teachings intersect with modern life. The Bright On Buddhism podcast creates a space where scholarly insight meets casual conversation, demystifying topics without losing their profound essence. Whether you're well-versed in Buddhist thought or just beginning to explore spirituality and religion, these episodes offer a grounded and informative perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 252

Bright On Buddhism
Podcast Episodes
Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra - Chapter 2 Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:47
Bright on Buddhism - Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra - Chapter 2 Part 1 Join us as we read and discuss Chapter 1 of DT Suzuki's translation of the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra! Resources: Lindtner, Christian (1992). The Lankavatarasutra in Early…
Buddhish 16 - The Matrix as Buddhist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:34
Bright on Buddhism - Buddhish Episode 16 - The Matrix as Buddhist Join us as we analyze the famous 1999 sci-fi movie The Matrix as containing Buddhist elements, allegories, and motifs. Do you have a question about Buddhi…
Do Buddhists reject the world? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:10
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 95 - Do Buddhists reject the world? Do Buddhists believe that life is nothing but suffering? Are Buddhists fatalists or nihilists? Resources: Davis, Bret W. 2004. "Zen After Zarathustra: The…
How ought we understand sex in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:08
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 94 - How ought we understand sex in Buddhism? What is the meaning and significance of the doctrine prohibiting sexual indiscretion? How have understandings of this doctrine changed over time?…
Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra - Chapter 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:54
Bright on Buddhism - Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra - Chapter 1 Join us as we read and discuss Chapter 1 of DT Suzuki's translation of the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra! Resources: Lindtner, Christian (1992). The Lankavatarasutra in Early Indian…
Asian Religions Series - Daoism Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:25
Bright on Buddhism - Asian Religions Series - Daoism Part 1 Hello and welcome to the Asian religions series. In this series, we will be discussing religious traditions in Asia other than Buddhism. Buddhism never existed…
What is Risshō Kōsei Kai? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:32
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 93 - What is Risshō Kōsei Kai? What are its doctrinal roots? What are its historical origins? Resources: Anderson, Richard W. (1994). "Risshō Kōseikai and the Bodhisattva way: Religious ideal…
Kōan Series - Hyakujō and The Fox [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:38
Bright on Buddhism - Kōan Series Episode 10 - Hyakujō and The Fox Hello and welcome to a new episode of the Kōan Series. In this series, we will read and discuss real Buddhist kōans to try and better understand them. We…
Longer Sukhāvatīvyūha Sutra - Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:17
Bright on Buddhism - Longer Pure Land Sutra - Part 1 Join us as we read and discuss Part 1 of the Hisao Inagaki translation of the Longer Pure Land Sutra! Resources: Gomez, Luis, trans. (1996), The Land of Bliss: The Par…
What is suchness? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:12
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 92 - What is suchness? How ought we understand it? How have understandings of it changed over time? Resources: Buswell; Lopez (2014), The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism; Robinson, Richard H…