Twenty-One Tara’s Original Temple

　　    The Tara’s Original Temple, also known as Zhuoma’s Original Temple, where “Original Temple” (本康) means “a temple of one hundred thousand Buddha images,” and “Tara” (度母) refers to a group of goddesses who liberate and rescue sentient beings from suffering. They are also a collective of female deities revered by various schools of Tibetan Buddhism, totaling twenty-one in number. The Twenty-One Taras are widely worshipped by devotees and common people across Tibetan regions. Zhuoma (Tara) has 21 forms, namely the Twenty-One Taras, each with her own function and secret mantra. Their names are also derived from their individual characteristics. The Tibetan people believe that the Twenty-One Taras can protect against eight types of disasters and fears caused by lions, elephants, venomous snakes, enemies, thieves, shackles, fire, and water. Some also believe they offer protection from sixteen kinds of calamities. Additionally, during favorable times, they can enhance positive conditions and prolong life and fortune, greatly benefiting all sentient beings. They are revered as the Mother of Liberation who rescues all beings from the cycle of life and death, as well as the bearers of all the Buddhas’ undertakings or the Buddhas’ consorts.