What does this mantra mean: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SWAHAH?

Question

I know it's heart mantra of Green Tara, but what exactly is that and how does it help?
Thanks.

Edit: If without understanding the true meaning of the mantra, would my chanting be pointless? A dalai lama suggested I chant the mantra a certain no. of times a day some time ago, but it's only now that I know the meaning.

Answer 1

TARE means liberating from samsara. This samsara means these aggregates: the aggregate of form, or the physical body; of feeling; of recognition; of karmic formations; and of consciousness.

TARE shows that Mother Tara liberates living beings from samsara, from true suffering, or problems. You can relate this to the particular sufferings of human beings: birth, old age, sickness and death; meeting undesirable objects and experiencing aversion; not finding desirable objects or finding them but gaining no satisfaction. No matter how much pleasure you enjoy, there is no satisfaction. No matter how much you follow desire, there is no satisfaction at all.

TUTTARE, liberates you from the eight fears. There are eight fears related to external dangers from fire, water, air, earth, and also from such things as thieves and dangerous animals. However, the main dangers come from ignorance, attachment, anger, pride, jealousy, miserliness, doubt and wrong views. These eight disturbing thoughts that you have in your mind are the main dangers. By taking refuge in Tara and doing Tara practice, you are liberated from these eight internal dangers, these eight disturbing thoughts. In this way, you are also liberated from external dangers, as these external dangers come from the inner disturbing thoughts.

TURE, liberates you from disease. Now, of the Four Noble Truths, TURE shows the cessation of suffering, which is the ultimate Dharma. In terms of liberating from disease, the actual disease we have is ignorance not knowing the absolute nature of the I, and all the disturbing thoughts that arise from this ignorance. These are the actual, serious diseases that we have. With cessation of all these diseases of disturbing thoughts, all the true sufferings, all the resultant problems, are also ceased. By liberating us from disease, TURE actually liberates us from the true cause, disturbing thoughts, and also the true sufferings.

The rough meaning of these three words TARE TUTTARE TURE is: "To you, embodiment of all the Buddhas' actions, I prostrate always—whether I am in happy or unhappy circumstances—with my body, speech and mind."

The final word SOHA means establishing the root of the path within your heart. In other words, by taking refuge in Tara and doing Tara practice, you receive the blessings of Tara in your own heart. This gives you space to establish the root of the path, signified by TARE TUTTARE TURE, in your heart. By establishing the path of the three capable beings within your heart, you purify all impurities of your body, speech and mind, and achieve Tara's pure vajra holy body, holy speech and holy mind, which are signified by OM. Your body, speech and mind are transformed into Tara's holy body, holy speech and holy mind. This is the rough meaning of OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA.

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Om is another variation of the romanized spelling for Aum. It is made up of the three syllabus of A, U and Ma, the universal trinity. You can do more research on this on your own.
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Soha, Svaha and Swahah are just variations in Romanized spellings. It also means 'so be it' or 'hail'.

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If you don't know the meaning at first it is fine. IN FACT, most people don't go too deep into its meaning in literal sense. The true meaning comes when one attain certain level of realizations/absorptions through the Sadhnas. Let the real meaning come through time and experience. Where and how do lamas get their meanings in the first place? :-) As with all kinds of meditations, realizations and experiences goes beyond any conventional words to be described.

It won't be pointless for a start if our practices comes with the right intention (understanding) along with effort and realization. It would only be pointless if one does not know the purpose of the mantra and personal intentions on reciting it :-)

Hope this helps...


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I found this BEAUTIFUL video/audio clip to share with you... it brought tears to my eyes... and I hope I can share this beautiful mantra with you and everyone here :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtSpJUVWN4Y

Vajrasattva Mantra:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01LB1onp34g

Answer 2

Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha

Answer 3

Green Tara Mantra

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What does this mantra mean: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SWAHAH?
I know it's heart mantra of Green Tara, but what exactly is that and how does it help?
Thanks.

Answer 5

GREEN TARA - In Buddist dharma expanse of the unborn mother She, holy Goddess, Tara resides Bestowing well-being to all. Invoking her protection will releave from all fear.

This is some kind of prayer to the goddess:

Om tare tuttare-Ture swaha-Om tare tuttare-Ture-Swaha

"An Invocation to Tara, the female counterpart of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The Tara is pictured many-armed, symbolizing the powers and attributes she has cultivated to save all sentient beings."

Tara Destroying of Grasping The Peaceful and Wrathful Mantras. The ten syllable mantra refers to the root mantra OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA. HUM indicates the wrathful mantra - OM NAMA TARE NAME HARE HUM HARA SVAHA. By the power of these two mantras one destroys the enemies of liberation - grasping at a self within and clinging to substantial existence in the external world.

These mantras have been used as magic spells for very mundane purposes such as attaining wealth and long life, and eliminating enemies.

Green Tara is often depicted with one leg out of the lotus position, extended down for a quick and decisive response when needed. Green Tara acts swiftly - like a lioness protecting her cubs.-

Answer 6

the other 2 answers are both excellent as well, but in addition, you asked if you could recite the mantra w/o knowing the exact meaning and yes you can.
when you recite the mantra of Tara, you are asking for her blessings as well as asking that her good qualities be brought out from within yourself as well.
she is the goddess of compassion & healing, something we could all use a bit of, IMO. so if you recieved instruction to chant this mantra daily, I would certainly do so.