Green Tara Mantra — Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha
A source-based guide to the Green Tara mantra, with pronunciation, traditional context and original recordings by Next Level Meditation.
Green Tara (Ārya Tārā) is one of the most widely practised female figures in Tibetan Buddhism. Her mantra is commonly recited as Oṃ Tāre Tuttāre Ture Svāhā (often rendered in English as “Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha”).
Featured Green Tara Mantra Recording
This is the principal Green Tara recording from Next Level Meditation, viewed millions of times on YouTube. It is presented here as the primary listening companion for this guide.
Original recording by Next Level Meditation.
The Mantra
OṂ TĀRE TUTTĀRE TURE SVĀHĀ
Common English rendering:
Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha
Different transliteration systems may use svāhā or soha. They represent the same mantra in different linguistic/transliteration conventions.
Simple Pronunciation Guide
OM — “ohm”
TĀ-RE — “taa-ray”
TUT-TĀ-RE — “toot-taa-ray”
TU-RE — “too-ray”
SVĀ-HĀ / SO-HA — “swaa-haa” / Tibetan-style “so-ha”
Pronunciation differs across Sanskrit, Tibetan and regional traditions. Listening to a qualified teacher or lineage recording is preferable when learning formal liturgical pronunciation.
What Does the Green Tara Mantra Mean?
Mantras are not always best understood as ordinary sentences with a single literal translation. Traditional commentaries interpret the syllables in relation to liberation and the Buddhist path.
In a commentary published by the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), Tāre, Tuttāre and Ture are explained progressively in terms of liberation, while Svāhā is associated with establishing the accomplishments of Tara in the practitioner’s heart.
A concise FPMT praise summarizes the mantra as Tara who liberates from saṃsāra, from the eight fears, and from sickness. These are traditional interpretive explanations rather than a simple word-for-word English translation.
Who Is Green Tara?
Tara is one of the most important female figures in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. In Tibetan traditions she is revered as a swift, compassionate liberator. Green Tara is particularly associated with active compassion and readiness to respond to beings in difficulty.
The Praise to Tara with Twenty-One Verses of Homage is a major Tara text preserved in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and remains widely recited by both monastics and lay practitioners.
Green Tara’s Iconography
Green Tara is commonly depicted seated on a lotus, with one leg extended and the other folded. The extended leg is often interpreted as readiness for compassionate activity. Her hands form gestures of generosity and refuge, and she may hold blue utpala lotuses.
Iconographic details vary by lineage, artwork and practice text, so a single image should not be treated as the only authoritative representation.
Green Tara and the Eight Great Fears
Tara is traditionally praised as a protector from the “eight great fears.” Different commentarial traditions relate these both to outer dangers and to inner mental afflictions. The theme expresses Tara’s role as a liberating presence in situations of fear, danger and instability.
It is useful to read such teachings in their Buddhist context rather than treating them as promises of guaranteed supernatural protection. In traditional practice, Tara devotion is connected with refuge, compassion, ethical conduct, bodhicitta and the path to awakening.
A Simple Way to Practise with the Mantra
For a simple, non-initiatory practice, you can sit comfortably, settle the breath, bring to mind compassion for yourself and others, and recite or listen to the mantra attentively. Some practitioners count 21 or 108 repetitions; others practise for a set period of time.
Important practice distinction: FPMT guidance states that reciting the Tara mantra and praises does not require empowerment. More advanced tantric practices — especially self-generation as the deity — can carry specific empowerment and lineage requirements. If you want to undertake formal Tara sādhanā, follow the instructions of a qualified teacher and the practice text of your lineage.
More Green Tara Recordings from Next Level Meditation
These supporting recordings offer additional ways to listen and practise. The featured recording above remains the primary video for this page.
Powerful Protection Mantra Remove Negative Energy
Most powerful protection mantra that actually works
Most Powerful Green Tara Mantra for Protection
The Twenty-One Taras
The Twenty-One Taras practice expands the imagery and qualities of Tara through twenty-one forms, each associated with particular aspects of enlightened activity. The Praise to the Twenty-One Taras is one of the best-known Tara practices in Tibetan Buddhism.
Dolma 21 Prayer | 21 Tara prayer | 21 Praises To Tara
Praises to 21 Tara Short Version | 21 Tara Short Prayer
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Green Tara mantra?
The best-known Green Tara mantra is Oṃ Tāre Tuttāre Ture Svāhā. In Tibetan settings the final word is often heard or written as soha.
Do I need an empowerment to recite it?
According to FPMT practice guidance, empowerment is not required simply to recite Tara’s mantra or praises. Formal tantric self-generation and certain advanced practices are different and may require empowerment or oral transmission.
How many times should I recite the mantra?
There is no single universal number for informal recitation. Counts such as 21 or 108 are common in Buddhist practice. Formal retreats and sādhanās may prescribe specific accumulations, so follow the relevant lineage instructions if undertaking those practices.
Is “Svaha” the same as “Soha”?
Svāhā reflects Sanskrit transliteration; soha is commonly used in Tibetan pronunciation/transliteration. Both forms are widely encountered in Green Tara materials.
Sources & Further Reading
- FPMT — Mantras and Green Tara resources
- FPMT — Tara: Praise and Mantras
- FPMT — A Short Practice of Green Tara
- 84000 — Praise to Tara with Twenty-One Verses of Homage
This page is educational and is not a substitute for instruction from a qualified Buddhist teacher when undertaking formal tantric practice.
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