The Tara Mantra for Blessings of Life, Merit, and Wisdom
A mantra invoking White Tara for long life, merit, wisdom, and well-being, widely chanted in Tibetan Buddhist practice.
Verses
Om Tare Tuttare Ture, I beseech You to grant me longevity, merit, wisdom, and nourishment. Svaha.
Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)
Daily or auspicious lunar days (Ekadashi, Purnima, Pradosham)
Brahma Muhurta (4:00 AM – 6:00 AM) or Evening Dusk (Sandhya)
Ghee lamp (Deepa), Incense (Dhoopa), Fresh flowers & Water offering
- Peace of mind, spiritual upliftment, and harmonious energy in the home
Background
This mantra comes from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, where it is associated with the practice of Arya Tara – a female Buddha (or bodhisattva) of compassion, swift action, and protection. Tara is often called the “Mother of all Buddhas,” and her mantra is one of the most widely recited prayers in Himalayan Buddhism. Practitioners chant this specific version to request blessings for long life, merit, wisdom, and physical or spiritual nourishment. It is traditionally used in daily meditation, during retreats, or as part of rituals for removing obstacles and accumulating good karma. No single author is attributed to the mantra; it is considered a revealed teaching that has been passed down through the centuries. Tara's practice is likewise rooted in the Tara-mula-kalpa (the Tārā-mūla-kalpa tantra), the principal Sanskrit ritual text dedicated to her, later classified within the kriya tantra class of Tibetan Buddhist scripture.
Did You Know?
Tara, the Swift Liberator
This mantra invokes Tara, a female Buddha revered across Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhism as the embodiment of compassionate, swift action. Unlike many male Buddhas who sit in stillness, Tara is often depicted with one leg extended, ready to spring up and rescue beings from danger the instant they call her name.
Decoding the Sacred Syllables
The core syllables "Tare Tuttare Ture" are a condensed prayer: "Tare" asks Tara to liberate you from the cycle of suffering (samsara), "Tuttare" asks her to free you from immediate fears and obstacles, and "Ture" asks for the swift wisdom to reach enlightenment. Together, they cover every level of need, from daily worries to ultimate spiritual freedom.
A Specific Wish for Well-Being
Unlike the most common form of the Tara mantra, this version adds a personal petition: "mama ayuh punya jnana pushtim kuru," which translates to "grant me life, merit, wisdom, and nourishment." This makes it a powerful prayer for longevity and holistic prosperity, not just spiritual liberation.
The Closing "Svaha"
The mantra ends with "Svaha," a Sanskrit ritual word meaning "hail" or "so be it," used to seal an offering. In Buddhist practice, it consecrates the prayer, ensuring the merits of the recitation are dedicated and realized.
The Power of "Om"
The mantra begins with "Om," the primordial sound of the universe in Indian spiritual traditions. In Buddhism, it represents the pure body, speech, and mind of an enlightened being, aligning the reciter's energy with that of Tara before the petition begins.
Tara
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