Kurukulla could be thought of as the “Diva” pop star of the Dakinis. She is like a beautiful, modern celebrity endorsing a worthy cause; she projects this divine and Enlightened beauty to attract us to the Dharma. She uses her enchanting “magic” to remove our obstacles to practice. We all need a little enchantment in our lives, don’t we? [Note: Her proper name is Kurukulla. Only the mantra uses the vocative form (Kurukulle) of her name. See note.]
She is as popular today, as she was hundreds of years ago. As a Dakini, a Higher Tantric practice, she is the “very cause of wisdom” — her Tibetan name Rigiyedmna (རིག་བྱེད་མ) literally translates as “she who is the cause of knowledge”. Although she has her own tantras and practices, she is considered an emanation of Tara: Tarobhava Kurukulla, “the Kurukulla who arises from Tara” (Red Tara: sgrol-ma dmar-po.) As described in “The Practice Manual of Noble Tara Kurukulla“, translated from the introductory commentary of the Kangyur text (project 84000)[2]:
“As a female deity, she is understood to embody the wisdom aspect of enlightenment (i.e., emptiness), and as a form of the savioress Tārā, herself a manifestation of Avalokiteśvara, she personifies all-embracing compassion.
But her particular quality is related to the “activity” of enlightenment. Many Great Vehicle scriptures describe the spontaneous and effortless activity of buddhas for the benefit of beings.”
In a Nyingma Liturgical verse she is described similarly:
“Culmination of the pristine awareness and compassion of all conquerors,
Well arising as the bliss-emptiness – Goddess of Power,
Controlling all beings of the three realms with a charming form;
Homage to the Dakini.”
Kurukulla is the “enchantment” aspect of Tara. From an 18th century thangka.
“Magical” aspect of Tara
Everyone loves a little magic. Kurukulla is all about the enchantment. Like other emanations of Tara, who might use their divine beauty to attract and influence, Kurukulla embraces this concept, but to an erotic extreme. It is the exotic “magical” and miraculous aspects that have kept Kurukulla, the Passionate Lotus Dakini, popular both today and in past centuries. Although she is often associated with “attraction” and “magnetizing” — an overall aspect of the red Lotus family of Amitabha, Chenrezig, and Hayagriva — she is not a mundane deity. Despite depictions of her magnetizing powers as “magical,” they are not for the corrupted purpose of attracting a mate, or money, or luxuries.
Like other emanations of Tara, she is about the “activities” of compassion, in this case attracting and enchanting. And, like all Taras, this is a skillful means to help us remove obstacles in our own practice, by attracting good fortune to the Sangha, or to the practitioner. With a virtuous, Bodhichitta goal, her practice can have the virtuous aspect of creating auspicious conditions for practice. [For a feature about Tara, please see>>]
NOTE: Kuruklla is the correct use and pronunciation of Her sacred name. Kurukulle (the evocative form of her name) is mostly used in the mantra, and is not the way you write or say her name. Kurukulle is Sanskrit — so “e” is pronounced (always) as “eh”. In the mantra, therefore, it’s pronounced Kurukulleh (NOT Kurukulee).
Kurukulla is the most beautiful of the Dakinis. As a Dakini of the Padma family, she represents Dharma and Speech. One way to understand her seductive appearance is as a symbol of the “attractiveness” of the Dharma. Her name literally translates as “she who is the cause of knowledge.” Her bow and implements are made up of red Uptala flowers, sacred to Tara and the Lotus Family of Amitabha, symbolizing compassion.
The cult of beauty: Kurukulla
The cult of beauty is well established — with beautiful people, actors and models drawing us in immediately with their presence. Using this beauty and magnetism for the Dharma cause, Bodhichitta, Metta and Compassion, is the very definition of the “diva” Dakini Kurukulla.
Colour is the clue in deity visualizations. Generally, there are five colors corresponding to a different characteristic or aspect. For example, with Tara emanations we have:
Red: Kurukulla and/or Red Tara (some traditions separate them) — attracting and magnetizing (in older language “enchanting); in other words creating auspicious practice by attracting helpful conditions.
Green: Green Tara Tara’s most popular emanation is green is the color of “wind” and “activity.” We rely on Green Tara for speedy response, safety, protection, help in time of need.[For a story on Green Tara, see>>]
White: White Tara — calming and pacifying and healing (in older language “long life practices”); in other words creating auspicious practice by attracting helpful conditions for a long life. [For a story on White Tara, please see our full feature>>]
Yellow: Golden Tara (Yellow Tara) — creating karma for auspicious wealth, knowledge, merit, and support to streamline our practice.
Black: Black Tara (yes, there are black Taras!) and many Dakini manifestations. Black is about removing obstacles, obliterating issues (in older language “subduing evil or demons”), and creating the conditions for good practice by removing our stresses, doubts, obsessions and other obstacles.
The reason for Kurukulla’s popularity is clear. Attracting auspicious conditions is always enticing. But, how does the “magic” work?
One of Kurukulla’s mandalas with five colours of Dakini.
“Does removing the magic from Buddhist practice seem less — magical? Sometimes, with a secular approach to Buddhism, we strip away some of the flair, the near euphoric joy of the Buddha’s Dharma. That “bliss” can be an important part of practice, especially in Vajrayana. Even Tantric Buddhism, with all its supernatural wonder and magical “taste,” is reduced — by many modern practitioners — to “symbolic archetypes” and mind-states. In the West, many — perhaps most — Buddhists like to turn their backs on a term like “metaphysical” or “religion” and refer to the Dharma instead as philosophy and method.”
The feature goes on to describe the four views of “magic” in Buddhism. The four views could be described this way:
• View 1: The supernatural or metaphysical is unimportant: In Cula-Malunkyovada Sutta, Buddha refused to answer questions of a Metaphysical nature. Why? Because they are “not important” to the path to Enlightenment.
• View 2: The complete opposite, that deities, magic and the metaphysical are subjectively real: For those who embrace the wonder of the labelled, including supernatural labels, this is just another relative aspect of what we perceive to be a reality.
• View 3: They are symbolic or metaphorical: Buddha would have spoken in terms commonly used in his day. It’s easier to say “Brahma” — as he did explicitly in Brahmajala Sutta — than to say “creative force.”
• View 4: That all phenomena are ultimately non-dual — or as is often said, “not two” — perceptual, rather than tangibly “real,” and from this view, all are “aspects” of a One-ness.
Whatever, our view of “magic” and the “enchantment” there is no doubt it works from the view we accept. Whether it’s intention working on our minds to change our conditions, or some metaphysical force — ultimately, they are “not two” as the Zen Buddhists say.
Kurukulle’s enchantment works at one level, or the other.
Enlightened magic: Bodhichitta required
Her power to attract, magnetize and mesmerize is an Enlightened mission: if money, a suitable mate or knowledge and power will contribute to the “cause for Enlightenment for all beings” it is worthy of her blessing. Kurukulla is not — as has been suggested by some early scholars — a “love goddess” ready to bring you love and sex.
Yes, she is voluptuous, seductive and beautiful; and yes, she carries a flower-decorated bow — very similar to the western Cupid — and certainly, she is associated with love and attraction. But this is not a “magic spell” carnal lust type of attraction. She uses her powers of magnetizing to bring conditions favourable to the path to Enlightenment. Without a bodhichitta aim, there is no enchantment.
What is this magical power?
Kurukulla is the Highest-Yoga Tantra aspect of Red Tara.
Kurukulla’s mesmerizing appearance
Kurukulla, the Enchantress, transforms seduction into Enlightened wisdom.
Similar to Vajrayogini, Kurukulla’s appearance is voluptuous, vibrant, youthful, energetic, sexual. To represent her magnetizing aspect, and the Lotus family, she is visualized as a body of glowing red light. She dances, as most Dakini’s do, to represent her activity as a Wisdom Goddess, and under her feet is the asura Rahu (the one who devours the sun.) [For a feature story on Vajrayogini, please see>>]
She has, typically, four arms, although in other aspects eight. She usually holds a bow and arrow made of beautiful flowers in one of her pairs of hands. Her other hands hold a hook and a noose of flowers. As with all Tantric visualizations, an explanation of a teacher is required. The depth of symbolism is profound. She is both an emanation of Amitabha, and also a form of Tara.
Her root tantra is the Arya-Tara-Kurukulle-Kalpa (Practices of the Noble Tara Kurukullā), which was translated by Ts’utr’im jeya, a close disciple of great Atisha.
According to the Himilayan Art Resources, who collect and archive museum-quality Dharma art, she is described this way:
Kurukulle (Tibetan: rig che ma. English: The One of the Action Family): Goddess of Power.
“Slightly peaceful and slightly wrathful in a dark red appearance, she has one face, three eyes, dark yellow hair flowing upward and four hands. In the first pair of hands held upraised is a bow and arrow constructed of red utpala flowers and aimed to the left. The second pair hold in the right a hook and left a lasso. Adorned with a tiara of five white skulls, earrings, and a necklace of fifty heads, she wears a green scarf and a tiger skin skirt. Standing with the right leg drawn up in a dancing posture and the left leg pressing on a corpse above a sun disc and red lotus seat she is completely surrounded by a circle of flames of pristine awareness.
At the top center is Amitabha, the buddha of boundless light, red in colour, seated with the two hands in the mudra (gesture) of meditative equipoise placed in the lap supporting a black begging bowl. At the bottom center are precious offerings of wishing jewels, red coral, and the like, with flower vases standing at each side.” [1]
Self-generating Kurukulla — it is magical
Although some might see a Venerable Kurukulla, suitable for offerings, the real practice with this magnificent deity is Tantra — only, of course, for those with initiation. In Tantra we self-generating as the deity. [For those unaware of this practice, please see our many features on deity practices and seek the advice of your teacher. Self generating any Yidam requires empowerment, permission and teachings.]
Essentially, by visualizing ourselves as Kurukulle, then generating deity pride, we gradually, with each meditation, take on the characteristics and methods of the goddess. Since “magic” is about transformation, and this visualization works at the level of your mind — it literally is magic. The changes occur within our mindstreams. We find people listen to us more (magnetizing.) People find us more interesting (Kurukulle’s sensual nature). We exude compassion, taking on the characteristics of the Padma family over time.
It’s not about controlling others; it’s about controlling our minds. Most importantly, our minds tap into Kurukulle’s guided practice to develop insight into the true nature of reality. After all, Kurukulle, a Dakini, expresses Wisdom.
Self Generation only works under the guidance of a qualified teacher of lineage, who can transmit the full teachings. For those without the empowerment and commentary from a teacher, practitioners should not self-generate. Kurukulle is a wonderful deity to venerate — as with all fully Enlightened deities.
A very old Thangka of Kurukulla.
Whether self-generating, or visualizing in front of us as an object of veneration, she is imagined the same way (although there are different forms.)
“…the Goddess Kurukulla, with a body red in colour, one face and four arms. The first two hands hold an utpala bow and arrow drawn to the ear. The lower right holds a hook that subdues the Three Worlds, the lower left an utpala noose; with short fangs, the face is slightly smiling and slightly angry, with three eyes and adorned with two beautiful breasts, having the youthful form of sixteen years, with brown hair flowing upwards, adorned with five skulls having the nature of the Five Families as a crown, a necklace of fifty fresh heads and five ornaments of bone, wearing a tiger skin as a lower garment, standing on a human corpse with the head turned to the left, with the left leg extended. The toes of the right are placed on the thigh, as in a half vajra [posture] dancing manner, dwelling in the midst of a beautiful circle of sun rays, visible, but not solid, like the form of illusion.” — Ngorchen Konchog Lhundrub (1497-1557). sGrub Thabs Kun bTus, vol.8, folios 528-555.
Lovely Kurukulla, embodies attraction: symbolizing the attractive pull of the Dharma.
Details of Form: Symbolism
As with all Tantric Buddhist deities, every pose, arm, leg, implement and adornment is a symbol representing profound truth. In the case of four-armed Kurukulla, the most common form:
Red color: symbolizes the west, fire, Padma Family, Lotus and notably the “family of Speech” or Dharma.
Seductive and beautiful: a sixteen-year old youth (in Tibetan Buddhism, sixteen-year-old normally symbolizes youthful vitality), which indicates her power to attract, to mesmerize, to draw in and enchant followers to her inner Wisdom and the Dharma.
Red streams of light: emanate from her beautiful form, symbolizing her compassion reaching out to all beings.
The bow and arrow of red Uptala flowers: red is the Padma (Lotus family) and Uptala flowers are sacred to Tara: like cupid, her power to pierce us with her seductive wisdom.
Vajra hook (also red Uptala flowers): in her second pair of hands, her right hand holds a Vajra hook (in India, an Elephant Goad) to “hook back” all sentient beings into her compassionate arms
Lasso: also made of red Uptala flowers in her left hand.
Dancing: Dakinis almost always appear in “dancing” form. In part, this symbolizes the elusive, playful nature of Emptiness (Shunyata) and the pure joy of Clear Light.
Left leg stands on top of a prone male — usually indicating subduing our egos. The left leg is always the lead leg in female Dakinis (in Wrathful male deities it is the right.)
Wrathful adornments: skull crown, a garland of freshly severed heads, tiger skin skirt, beautiful silks, and necklaces.
Other forms: Kurukulla, depending on lineage and tradition, can also appear in other colors: blue, white, pink, seated, two-armed, six-armed or in a full mandla of 23 deities.
Lotus Family: all the compassionate virtues of Amitabha
Kurukulla, a Highest Yoga Dakini of the Lotus Family, embodies all of the virtues of Amitabha, Chenrezig and Hayagriva. She shares the same seed syllable HRI, the seed syllable of Amitabha and Hayagriva because she is of the same essence at the ultimate level.
As with all Lotus family, her mission is compassion. As a Dakini, she embodies “wisdom.” The two together, as Kurukulla, represent the Enlightened union of Wisdom and Compassion. On a more “mundane” level, she represents the power of love, attraction, youth and magic, subjugation, but, again, for a virtuous purpose. In principle, the same concept (although less mundane) as a celebrity using their beautiful persona to raise awareness of the charity and to attract money and goodwill to the cause — except, more magical, and directed at only Enlightened causes. In the same way that Audrey Hepburn used her presence as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF or Angelina Jolie who became United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (whatever you think of her, a legend in charity work), or other big names in charity, such as Oprah, Elizabeth Taylor, and J.Lo (Lopez Family Foundation) — Kurukulla uses her exotic beauty and enchanting magic to attract.
Although it is recommended that a student has empowerment and “lung” permission to use her mantra, it is a well-known and well-published mantra. For this reason, we reproduce it here, with the caution that her mantra should be used by actual practitioners who have initiation or permission of a qualified teacher.
[2] “The Practice Manual of Noble Tara Kurukulla” translated to English (as pdf) as part of the wonderful 84000 project (please support their activities!). 84000.co here>>
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21 thoughts on “Kurukulla: the “Diva” Dakini of enlightened magic; the enchantress transforms seduction into ‘the cause of wisdom’”
In the case of both Kurukulle and Palden Lhamo (and most wrathful deities): “She wears the five-skull crown showing that she has extinguished the five poisons (greed, anger, ignorance, pride, and jealousy). (From our story on Palden Lhamo: https://buddhaweekly.com/get-away-like-ripley-movie-aliens-palden-lhamo-terrifying-enlightened-emanation-tara-drives-off-inner-outer-demons-obstacles/
In general this is what it means, depending on the deity and practice, but the main symbolism is the Five Conquerors, the Five Buddha families, and also how they relate to (and transform) the Five Skandas (heaps, aggregates, poisons, etc). In the case of Kurukulle, as she’s a semi-wrathful Enlightened Dakini, these become skulls rather than the crown with images of five Buddhas. It’s a fairly deep topic. Tibetan teachers or initiated students often where the five Dhyani Buddha crowns. In the case of wrathful deities, these become skulls as a further reinforcement of impermanance, as well as significant other symbolic suggestions. Here’s a feature on the Five Buddhas (and the Skandas): https://buddhaweekly.com/a-map-of-the-mind-universe-the-mandala-of-the-five-buddhas-a-perfect-practice-a-perfect-remedy-for-the-five-poisons/
In kindness, Lee Kane
How do we get initiated into the mystery of Kurukulla? Is there someone who’s giving these online?
Can it be done through a computer? I live in Belgium and no one here is giving initiations in Kurukulla.
Dear Faud, I understand well your situation, I’m personally rural and have to travel for teachings. However, no empowerment is possible online or via computer, it simply is not possible — except, usually mantra permission. You have to connect personally with the lineage. There are three requirements before a student may begin a practice:]
—the empowerment (Tibetan: wang)
— a reading of the text by an authorized holder of the practice (Tibetan: lung)
— instruction on how to perform the practice or rituals
The only empowerment that can be done remotely (depending on your teacher and lineage) (for instance I’ve heard of teacher’s doing this by phone for students in need) is Lung of Mantra only (permission to use the mantra.) However, to actually visualize yourself as Kurukulle (which is the reason you seek full empowerment) requires formal in-person empowerment. To my knowledge, there really shouldn’t be a problem with devotional medtiation or mantra recitation without empowerment — that is, visualizing Kurukulle in front of you, making offerings, etc — but online or remote empowerments are not sufficient if you want to actually practice the Sadhana itself. However, safest is to ask your teacher. Meanwhile, though, anyone can meditate on Kurukulle front-generated (in front of you) and receive he blessings:-) (I am not a lineage teacher, please bear this in mind, so please check with your teacher.) In kindness, Lee
Garchen Rinpoche just recently gave the empowerment, and said any one who has good pure motivation for helping people, can watch the recording and follow along and get the full empowerment just like being there in person.
Thank you. Can you please cite a source for this instruction? I can only find a reference from Garchen Rinpoche that online live face-to-face with the teacher is valid. Although it’s beneficial to watch recordings, the majority of teachers (including Garchen Rinpoche I believe (see below citation)) say that empowerment is valid online, but I don’t believe that extends to recordings. Live events are valid as you are receiving transmission via internet live, face-to-face with the teacher.” This is from Garchen Rinpoche:
“You think that, when you receive the empowerment, that the Deities abide in space like massing clouds and when they confer the empowerment, the blessings of the empowerment shower down like rain and then dissolve into the universe and all sentient beings. And that is actually also why we can also receive the empowerment over the live-stream for example, or we can take our own empowerment and so on”.
Spring retreat, 4 May 2018
Of course video playback is definitely valid for teachings and learning and practice follow-on, but most teachers say lung for mantra or empowerment for any practice must be live-face-to-face online (not playback).
Hi, yeah Garchen Rinpoche has said many times in many different teachings that we can receive empowerment from recordings, and actually his entire Taiwan center records and then restreams all his empowerments later on because of the time difference. Here is one Facebook post from the Garchen Institute instructing people to receive the Vajrakilaya empowerment from a video recording made the year before.
Also Garchen Rinpoche has said the same thing about recordings giving the full empowerment in multiple Q&A’s but I can’t remember one exactly, but here is a Q&A where Drupon Rinchen Dorje Rinpoche is filling in for Garchen Rinpoche, and the very first question is about recorded empowerments, and he says you can definitely receive the full Empowerment from a recording if you have good aspiration.
I’m a bit frustrated because Garchen Rinpoche has said it himself so many times, I just can seem to pinpoint where because he has so many videos, but you can email questions@garchen.net for a more official affirmation. But I remember in one Q&A when he was asked about it Garchen Rinpoche himself said watching the recording is just as good as being there in person, because the empowerment deities simply show up infornt of you when called and give you the empowerment if your aspirations are pure.
Ah found the best one, it’s an official post from the Garchen Institutes Facebook that clearly says
“Garchen Rinpoche states that receiving an empowerment via live stream and even by watching recorded videos, if combined with a motivation of Bodhichitta, can be as beneficial as one’s physical presence.”
But yeah sorry I can’t remember exactly which videos he says it personally in, but he has said it alot, and it’s his official teaching on the matter And also you can Really feel the energies and empowerment happen from following along with recordings, just as strongly when you truly call out for them with longing to be able to practice and be empowered to help others. It can be a profound experience just like being in person because the empowerment deities that actually confer the energetic empowerment upon your energy body just come to your room the exact same way they do during a live stream or to the room of the temple of you see there in person.
Thank you Sakyong Drakpa — That is most helpful and thanks for the citations! Appreciated!
Karma
I’ve heard it as well, can confirm the experience. Thanks Sakyong.
Something so “solid” and prescriptive, as ‘never’, and ‘only’…then,….it changes.
New tech, new scenarios, new opportunites, new ways…..
(Next, resistance to change…Lol, predictive cycles)
Garchen Rinpoche’s opening is for this time, bless him
Somesh
Hi
Do you know any book about Kurukulle? Are they any teacher that you know who initiate to this type of spiritual work in Europe? Thank you in advance.
Dear Somesh,
There are only a few books, but they require empowerment (authorization) to read, and are normally only found on Dharma centre sites. There are teachers in Europe, but I can’t specifically point to one — that’s your personal quest. I know it can be difficult, and, this is just my opinion, but it’s more important to find the perfect teacher, then your teacher can guide you to Kurukulle (or another Yidam who is suited to you), rather than choosing a Yidam deity as a path to finding a teacher:-) Having said that, I found my root teacher through my quest for a good teacher for Green Tara (many years ago) — so I know where you’re coming from:-) I feel this was Tara leading me to my perfect teacher. Sorry I couldn’t help more. To start with, though, try a Google search such as “kurukulle europe teacher buddhist”. At the least, this will show you who has taught/offered empowerment in the past. I wish you well on your quest:-) In kindness, Lee,
What if we’ve been listening to and chanting the mantra “Om Tara Tam Soha,” without permission? because we didn’t know we needed persmission…?
Thank you.
Dear Nadia,
No permission is needed for Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha or Om Tara Tam Soha (Tam is the seed syllable of Tara). Tara is a compassionate Enlightened Being and anyone may practice her mantra. I encourage you to chant her mantra as much as you can for the benefit of all sentient beings. The Dalai Lama encouraged everyone to chant Tara’s mantra in these times of Covid-19 and other disasters.
Kurukulla, on the other hand, has her own mantra, so please be guided by your own teacher for permissions on this. I hope that helps, thank you for your question. In kindness, Lee Kane, Editor
Amazing article… Curious to know if I am trying to resolve issues between me and my partner. How should I do this practice. Also, can you let me know sometimes I do go to sleep and don’t have any visualization (feel peace) while listening to this mantra is it a good state? or always need to visualize?
permission from whom.. and why.. is it something about negative as chanting mantra is always gives us peace of mind.. and what about those who does not have a teacher but even then wants to chant red tara mantra.
1.Is it a mantra for tantra
2.i dont have a teacher, so i should or should not chant or listen to red tara mantra
3.Any negative or precaution we should take while chanting .
Hi Rashmi, You don’t need permission for the mantras of Kurukulle — and certainly not for Tara — but you would need permission to practice her self-generation (where you visualize yourself as the deity.) It is encouraged to listen to and chant Tara’s mantra, certainly (you mentioned Tara) — it is very positive, uplifting, helpful and open for everyone. Again, the only permission needed would be if you wanted to self-generate as Tara. If you can’t find a teacher for Red Tara, just know that all Tara’s are one essence and practice Tara and her mantra. (When you don’t have empowerment, or permission, you can still practice, but you visualize Tara in front of yourself — not yourself as Tara.) Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha. In kindness, Lee
I want to know whats the difference in “om kurukulle hrih svaha” and “om tare tam soha”, as both are red tara mantras? And can anyone chant these mantras?
Is it true that red tara mantras are chanted to resolve relationship issues?
Dear Mala, there are many red forms of Tara, not just one. All Taras are Tara, of course, and Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha is the heart mantra of all forms, and requires no permission (although it’s beneficial to receive lung (oral transmission) from your teacher.) Kurukulle is a form that should be transmitted by a teacher, as there are associated practices and visualizations that differ from other Red Tara forms (for example in the 21 Taras, there are many red Taras in the 21 Taras, including Pravira Tara, the first Tara, “Tara Swift and Heroic.” Forms of Tara represent different aspects and symbols for meditation, best left to a teacher’s instruction, but there is definitely always a benefit in honoring all forms of Tara. Tara, in all forms, is all-encompassing compassion in action. Kurukulle is a form who is a member of Amitabha’s Padma family (Lotus family) along with Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara) Hayagriva, and so on. Of course, Tara’s guru (appearing over her head in most Thangkas) is none other than Amitabha. In her Green Tara form she is a member of Amoghisiddhi’s Action family (green, north). In fact, Tara appears in all colours (white, yellow, blue, red, green, and even wrathful black) each with their own mantras, symbolism, and meditations — but Tara is ultimately Tara, the Mother of All the Buddhas.
On the question of “relationship issues” I don’t think I’m qualified to answer, but Tara, in her compassion, tries to remove all our obstacles to happiness and Enlightenment — within the scope of our own karma. If our relationship is an obstacle, and if our own karmic activities merit it, the magnetizing power of Red Taras can be helpful (with a big qualifying “but”…) Kurukulle, and Red Tara are magnetizing deities, but that doesn’t mean (at least in my opinion) She’s there to help us with our romances. By developing our positive karma “magnetism”, of course, we can attract people we are karmically inclined-towards (the limit is always our own actions or karma) but this isn’t about romantic fixing (at least I don’t think so.) We still have to empower our own relationships with our own positive, meritorious actions. Her mantra, and practice, however, may encourage us to think more positively and act more constructively, helping us change our relationships through wholesome karma (merit and activity.)
I am reciting Kurukulla Mantra ” Om Kurukulle hrim soha” without being initiated or permission. I don’t count numbers. I Just do it for as much time I feel like doing it. I keep one statue of Ma Tara in which her upper body is golden and she is wearing red dress in lower body. She is sitting with “chin mudra” or “gyan mudra” in right hand and left hand is rose in blessing. I don’t know whether she is red tara or kurukulla or other form of ma Tara. But, I recite only Kurukulla mantra. Is it good? I do this keeping in my mind to heal my relationship and empower myself. Does worshiping “kurukulla” helps in healing broken relationship? Does blessing of “Kurukulla” helps in removing or minimizing bad karma from past lives. Can I approach a good teacher in India for initiation? I am stay at Bangalore. Please guide me giving details of teacher.
Dear Ranvijai, You really need a teacher for Kurukulle practice. It’s certainly fine to honor or pray to Kurukulle, but as we state in the feature: “Although it is recommended that a student has empowerment and “lung” permission to use her mantra, it is a well-known and well-published mantra. For this reason, we reproduce it here, with the caution that her mantra should be used by actual practitioners who have initiation or permission of a qualified teacher.” (Only because it is everywhere don’t the internet, and because this is the Padma compassion family, we decided to include it, but we specifically mention you should have empowerment.) Personally, although I’m not a teacher, I would suggest Tara’s mantra instead, especially as the statue you have is almost certainly not Kurukulle. (Kurukulle very definitely appears as we have illustrated in the feature.) There are RED TARA aspects in the accessible 21 Taras Praise, which anyone can practice with great success. Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha, which is the mantra of Tara generally, certainly does not require initiation. If you are attracted to Red Aspects of Tara, without a teacher, I suggest you look at the Red Tara aspects in the 21 Taras and chant the Tara general mantra or the specific mantras of the Red Taras from the 21 Taras practice. (For example, we are covering each of the 21 Taras through the summer. HEROIC RED TARA was the first of the Red Taras and her mantra can be chanted without empowerment. There’s a VIDEO of her image and her mantra here: https://buddhaweekly.com/heroic-red-tara-first-of-the-21-taras-in-the-surya-gupta-tradition-video-visualization-with-mantra-chanting-yoko-dharma/ There will be a full teaching (1.4 hours long” video on Heroic Red Tara coming. (Yes, Kurukulle is certainly also an aspect of Tara, but highly specialized — a higher yoga practice and requiring specific guidance from a teacher) As for help with relationships, that’s not really the intention necessarily of “magnetizing” deities. You are right that any practice, Tara or Kurukulle, help us neutralize negative karma, and that’s helpful in terms of our daily lives of course, and Red Taras in the 21 Taras will be helpful, as they do help us magnetize positive energies and good karma and good relationships.
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Hello.
Curious on what the 5 skulls symbolises?
Thanks in advance.
In the case of both Kurukulle and Palden Lhamo (and most wrathful deities): “She wears the five-skull crown showing that she has extinguished the five poisons (greed, anger, ignorance, pride, and jealousy). (From our story on Palden Lhamo: https://buddhaweekly.com/get-away-like-ripley-movie-aliens-palden-lhamo-terrifying-enlightened-emanation-tara-drives-off-inner-outer-demons-obstacles/
In general this is what it means, depending on the deity and practice, but the main symbolism is the Five Conquerors, the Five Buddha families, and also how they relate to (and transform) the Five Skandas (heaps, aggregates, poisons, etc). In the case of Kurukulle, as she’s a semi-wrathful Enlightened Dakini, these become skulls rather than the crown with images of five Buddhas. It’s a fairly deep topic. Tibetan teachers or initiated students often where the five Dhyani Buddha crowns. In the case of wrathful deities, these become skulls as a further reinforcement of impermanance, as well as significant other symbolic suggestions. Here’s a feature on the Five Buddhas (and the Skandas): https://buddhaweekly.com/a-map-of-the-mind-universe-the-mandala-of-the-five-buddhas-a-perfect-practice-a-perfect-remedy-for-the-five-poisons/
In kindness, Lee Kane
Thank you so much!
Hi there
How do we get initiated into the mystery of Kurukulla? Is there someone who’s giving these online?
Can it be done through a computer? I live in Belgium and no one here is giving initiations in Kurukulla.
Do you happened to know someone who does?
Thank you in advance.
Kind regards.
Fuad Belko
Dear Faud, I understand well your situation, I’m personally rural and have to travel for teachings. However, no empowerment is possible online or via computer, it simply is not possible — except, usually mantra permission. You have to connect personally with the lineage. There are three requirements before a student may begin a practice:]
—the empowerment (Tibetan: wang)
— a reading of the text by an authorized holder of the practice (Tibetan: lung)
— instruction on how to perform the practice or rituals
The only empowerment that can be done remotely (depending on your teacher and lineage) (for instance I’ve heard of teacher’s doing this by phone for students in need) is Lung of Mantra only (permission to use the mantra.) However, to actually visualize yourself as Kurukulle (which is the reason you seek full empowerment) requires formal in-person empowerment. To my knowledge, there really shouldn’t be a problem with devotional medtiation or mantra recitation without empowerment — that is, visualizing Kurukulle in front of you, making offerings, etc — but online or remote empowerments are not sufficient if you want to actually practice the Sadhana itself. However, safest is to ask your teacher. Meanwhile, though, anyone can meditate on Kurukulle front-generated (in front of you) and receive he blessings:-) (I am not a lineage teacher, please bear this in mind, so please check with your teacher.) In kindness, Lee
Garchen Rinpoche just recently gave the empowerment, and said any one who has good pure motivation for helping people, can watch the recording and follow along and get the full empowerment just like being there in person.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1NVbknmfFBU
Thank you. Can you please cite a source for this instruction? I can only find a reference from Garchen Rinpoche that online live face-to-face with the teacher is valid. Although it’s beneficial to watch recordings, the majority of teachers (including Garchen Rinpoche I believe (see below citation)) say that empowerment is valid online, but I don’t believe that extends to recordings. Live events are valid as you are receiving transmission via internet live, face-to-face with the teacher.” This is from Garchen Rinpoche:
“You think that, when you receive the empowerment, that the Deities abide in space like massing clouds and when they confer the empowerment, the blessings of the empowerment shower down like rain and then dissolve into the universe and all sentient beings. And that is actually also why we can also receive the empowerment over the live-stream for example, or we can take our own empowerment and so on”.
Spring retreat, 4 May 2018
Of course video playback is definitely valid for teachings and learning and practice follow-on, but most teachers say lung for mantra or empowerment for any practice must be live-face-to-face online (not playback).
Hi, yeah Garchen Rinpoche has said many times in many different teachings that we can receive empowerment from recordings, and actually his entire Taiwan center records and then restreams all his empowerments later on because of the time difference. Here is one Facebook post from the Garchen Institute instructing people to receive the Vajrakilaya empowerment from a video recording made the year before.
https://www.facebook.com/186496401399806/posts/3401372536578827/
Also Garchen Rinpoche has said the same thing about recordings giving the full empowerment in multiple Q&A’s but I can’t remember one exactly, but here is a Q&A where Drupon Rinchen Dorje Rinpoche is filling in for Garchen Rinpoche, and the very first question is about recorded empowerments, and he says you can definitely receive the full Empowerment from a recording if you have good aspiration.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YOtuXcK26FA
I’m a bit frustrated because Garchen Rinpoche has said it himself so many times, I just can seem to pinpoint where because he has so many videos, but you can email questions@garchen.net for a more official affirmation. But I remember in one Q&A when he was asked about it Garchen Rinpoche himself said watching the recording is just as good as being there in person, because the empowerment deities simply show up infornt of you when called and give you the empowerment if your aspirations are pure.
Ah found the best one, it’s an official post from the Garchen Institutes Facebook that clearly says
“Garchen Rinpoche states that receiving an empowerment via live stream and even by watching recorded videos, if combined with a motivation of Bodhichitta, can be as beneficial as one’s physical presence.”
https://www.facebook.com/186496401399806/posts/3072547999461284/
But yeah sorry I can’t remember exactly which videos he says it personally in, but he has said it alot, and it’s his official teaching on the matter And also you can Really feel the energies and empowerment happen from following along with recordings, just as strongly when you truly call out for them with longing to be able to practice and be empowered to help others. It can be a profound experience just like being in person because the empowerment deities that actually confer the energetic empowerment upon your energy body just come to your room the exact same way they do during a live stream or to the room of the temple of you see there in person.
Hope that is helpful.
Thank you Sakyong Drakpa — That is most helpful and thanks for the citations! Appreciated!
I’ve heard it as well, can confirm the experience. Thanks Sakyong.
Something so “solid” and prescriptive, as ‘never’, and ‘only’…then,….it changes.
New tech, new scenarios, new opportunites, new ways…..
(Next, resistance to change…Lol, predictive cycles)
Garchen Rinpoche’s opening is for this time, bless him
Hi
Do you know any book about Kurukulle? Are they any teacher that you know who initiate to this type of spiritual work in Europe? Thank you in advance.
Regards
Somesh
Dear Somesh,
There are only a few books, but they require empowerment (authorization) to read, and are normally only found on Dharma centre sites. There are teachers in Europe, but I can’t specifically point to one — that’s your personal quest. I know it can be difficult, and, this is just my opinion, but it’s more important to find the perfect teacher, then your teacher can guide you to Kurukulle (or another Yidam who is suited to you), rather than choosing a Yidam deity as a path to finding a teacher:-) Having said that, I found my root teacher through my quest for a good teacher for Green Tara (many years ago) — so I know where you’re coming from:-) I feel this was Tara leading me to my perfect teacher. Sorry I couldn’t help more. To start with, though, try a Google search such as “kurukulle europe teacher buddhist”. At the least, this will show you who has taught/offered empowerment in the past. I wish you well on your quest:-) In kindness, Lee,
What if we’ve been listening to and chanting the mantra “Om Tara Tam Soha,” without permission? because we didn’t know we needed persmission…?
Thank you.
Dear Nadia,
No permission is needed for Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha or Om Tara Tam Soha (Tam is the seed syllable of Tara). Tara is a compassionate Enlightened Being and anyone may practice her mantra. I encourage you to chant her mantra as much as you can for the benefit of all sentient beings. The Dalai Lama encouraged everyone to chant Tara’s mantra in these times of Covid-19 and other disasters.
Kurukulla, on the other hand, has her own mantra, so please be guided by your own teacher for permissions on this. I hope that helps, thank you for your question. In kindness, Lee Kane, Editor
Hello,
Amazing article… Curious to know if I am trying to resolve issues between me and my partner. How should I do this practice. Also, can you let me know sometimes I do go to sleep and don’t have any visualization (feel peace) while listening to this mantra is it a good state? or always need to visualize?
permission from whom.. and why.. is it something about negative as chanting mantra is always gives us peace of mind.. and what about those who does not have a teacher but even then wants to chant red tara mantra.
1.Is it a mantra for tantra
2.i dont have a teacher, so i should or should not chant or listen to red tara mantra
3.Any negative or precaution we should take while chanting .
Hi Rashmi, You don’t need permission for the mantras of Kurukulle — and certainly not for Tara — but you would need permission to practice her self-generation (where you visualize yourself as the deity.) It is encouraged to listen to and chant Tara’s mantra, certainly (you mentioned Tara) — it is very positive, uplifting, helpful and open for everyone. Again, the only permission needed would be if you wanted to self-generate as Tara. If you can’t find a teacher for Red Tara, just know that all Tara’s are one essence and practice Tara and her mantra. (When you don’t have empowerment, or permission, you can still practice, but you visualize Tara in front of yourself — not yourself as Tara.) Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha. In kindness, Lee
Hi,
I want to know whats the difference in “om kurukulle hrih svaha” and “om tare tam soha”, as both are red tara mantras? And can anyone chant these mantras?
Is it true that red tara mantras are chanted to resolve relationship issues?
Dear Mala, there are many red forms of Tara, not just one. All Taras are Tara, of course, and Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha is the heart mantra of all forms, and requires no permission (although it’s beneficial to receive lung (oral transmission) from your teacher.) Kurukulle is a form that should be transmitted by a teacher, as there are associated practices and visualizations that differ from other Red Tara forms (for example in the 21 Taras, there are many red Taras in the 21 Taras, including Pravira Tara, the first Tara, “Tara Swift and Heroic.” Forms of Tara represent different aspects and symbols for meditation, best left to a teacher’s instruction, but there is definitely always a benefit in honoring all forms of Tara. Tara, in all forms, is all-encompassing compassion in action. Kurukulle is a form who is a member of Amitabha’s Padma family (Lotus family) along with Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara) Hayagriva, and so on. Of course, Tara’s guru (appearing over her head in most Thangkas) is none other than Amitabha. In her Green Tara form she is a member of Amoghisiddhi’s Action family (green, north). In fact, Tara appears in all colours (white, yellow, blue, red, green, and even wrathful black) each with their own mantras, symbolism, and meditations — but Tara is ultimately Tara, the Mother of All the Buddhas.
On the question of “relationship issues” I don’t think I’m qualified to answer, but Tara, in her compassion, tries to remove all our obstacles to happiness and Enlightenment — within the scope of our own karma. If our relationship is an obstacle, and if our own karmic activities merit it, the magnetizing power of Red Taras can be helpful (with a big qualifying “but”…) Kurukulle, and Red Tara are magnetizing deities, but that doesn’t mean (at least in my opinion) She’s there to help us with our romances. By developing our positive karma “magnetism”, of course, we can attract people we are karmically inclined-towards (the limit is always our own actions or karma) but this isn’t about romantic fixing (at least I don’t think so.) We still have to empower our own relationships with our own positive, meritorious actions. Her mantra, and practice, however, may encourage us to think more positively and act more constructively, helping us change our relationships through wholesome karma (merit and activity.)
I am reciting Kurukulla Mantra ” Om Kurukulle hrim soha” without being initiated or permission. I don’t count numbers. I Just do it for as much time I feel like doing it. I keep one statue of Ma Tara in which her upper body is golden and she is wearing red dress in lower body. She is sitting with “chin mudra” or “gyan mudra” in right hand and left hand is rose in blessing. I don’t know whether she is red tara or kurukulla or other form of ma Tara. But, I recite only Kurukulla mantra. Is it good? I do this keeping in my mind to heal my relationship and empower myself. Does worshiping “kurukulla” helps in healing broken relationship? Does blessing of “Kurukulla” helps in removing or minimizing bad karma from past lives. Can I approach a good teacher in India for initiation? I am stay at Bangalore. Please guide me giving details of teacher.
Dear Ranvijai, You really need a teacher for Kurukulle practice. It’s certainly fine to honor or pray to Kurukulle, but as we state in the feature: “Although it is recommended that a student has empowerment and “lung” permission to use her mantra, it is a well-known and well-published mantra. For this reason, we reproduce it here, with the caution that her mantra should be used by actual practitioners who have initiation or permission of a qualified teacher.” (Only because it is everywhere don’t the internet, and because this is the Padma compassion family, we decided to include it, but we specifically mention you should have empowerment.) Personally, although I’m not a teacher, I would suggest Tara’s mantra instead, especially as the statue you have is almost certainly not Kurukulle. (Kurukulle very definitely appears as we have illustrated in the feature.) There are RED TARA aspects in the accessible 21 Taras Praise, which anyone can practice with great success. Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha, which is the mantra of Tara generally, certainly does not require initiation. If you are attracted to Red Aspects of Tara, without a teacher, I suggest you look at the Red Tara aspects in the 21 Taras and chant the Tara general mantra or the specific mantras of the Red Taras from the 21 Taras practice. (For example, we are covering each of the 21 Taras through the summer. HEROIC RED TARA was the first of the Red Taras and her mantra can be chanted without empowerment. There’s a VIDEO of her image and her mantra here: https://buddhaweekly.com/heroic-red-tara-first-of-the-21-taras-in-the-surya-gupta-tradition-video-visualization-with-mantra-chanting-yoko-dharma/ There will be a full teaching (1.4 hours long” video on Heroic Red Tara coming. (Yes, Kurukulle is certainly also an aspect of Tara, but highly specialized — a higher yoga practice and requiring specific guidance from a teacher) As for help with relationships, that’s not really the intention necessarily of “magnetizing” deities. You are right that any practice, Tara or Kurukulle, help us neutralize negative karma, and that’s helpful in terms of our daily lives of course, and Red Taras in the 21 Taras will be helpful, as they do help us magnetize positive energies and good karma and good relationships.