 By Jacquelynne Garner
I had seen event notices of the Tara Work Party in the Baja Times and always wanted to go. Bring paint scrapers, paint brushes, trash bags to the hilltop at Avenue Moctezuma and 13th. But recently I had convinced myself I was too afraid of heights to dare drive either the free road or the toll road from La Mission to Ensenada. But I really wanted to go and see this giant sculpture, which is a portrait of the Tibetan Buddhist representation of female energy, and especially the motherly energies such as those we see Mary, the mother of Jesus, as well as in her Mexican form, the Virgin of Guadalupe. It is rare to see a sculpture of this kind anywhere, and this large, which sits atop a hill overlooking all of Ensenada.
To understand the meaning of the Tara, one must take a look at the history of Buddhism, which originated in India, and was later taken to Tibet. Since the 6th century B.C. this religion spread throughout the Eastern world, and was introduced in the West in the last century, especially. Over the centuries, a rich tradition has flowered and taken many forms.
There are many “Buddhas”. Avalokiteshava (Chenrezing in Tibet), is the embodiment of unlimited loving kindness and compassion, perhaps the greatest Buddha, and the Boddhisatva of compassion. A Buddha is someone who has reached awakening or enlightenment, perhaps what some would call oneness with God. A Boddhisatva is a Buddha who vows to return to the material world and stay here, to help all sentient beings awaken to their true nature, which is the nature of the fully enlightened Buddha.
The legend goes that Avalokiteshvara looked down onto the world of samsaric beings. He saw the multitude, lost in illusion, suffering, thirsting, living in a million forms of darkness. Seeing this, he shed so many tears that a lake formed. Out of the center of the lake, grew a lotus. And seated on the lotus was the White Tara, infinitely compassionate, dispeller of fear, healer, granter of wishes, protector and giver of long life.
According to Tibetan folklore, Tara was a princess highly realized in her spiritual practice. Her father was disappointed she was not a son. To prove the female spiritual energies are as important as the male, the White Tara vowed to remain in female form, so that she may help all suffering beings achieve awakened enlightenment with her powerful female nature. She is not only beautiful and comforting, with a sweet smile, she also has a playful nature.
Siddhartha Buddha, who everyone thinks of as “the Buddha”,said not to worship him, or any idol, but rather in action and in mind, strive to attain enlightenment.. Though there are beautiful statues and paintings of Buddhist “deities”, they are not to be worshiped, but to be incorporated into one`s consciousness.
The colors, the number of arms, or eyes, are all symbolic of qualities we want to call upon inside ourselves by meditating on these images.
So a Tara is a female representation of qualities and energy that propel female positive activities. Whether it is a miraculous childbirth or breaking the religious glass ceiling, the female enlightened spiritual energy of the Tara is there, guiding, soothing,
granting wishes, healing, and contributing to longevity.
The sculpture or painting thus makes the qualities we wish to call upon accessible both to monastics and to simple folk.
The sculpture at 13th and Moctezuma was built by three lamas, in 1993, with the cooperation of the City of Ensenada, and partially funded by a Nepalese non-profit organization. The condition was imposed that the Tara be maintained as well as the grounds around it, so that it remains a functional location for both visiting lamas and everyday citizens, to gather to honor the female energy, art, peace, love and compassion for all of us. The TARA ART RESTORING ASSOCIATION has been established for that purpose. It is an international group that both physically maintains the sculpture and raises necessary funds to do so. It is comprised of scientists, artists, architects, landscapers, philanthropists, government, and individuals.
The fourth Saturday of each month is set aside for restoration purposes, between 10 and 1pm. Everyone is invited to join in this effort, bringing necessary materials, labor or money to help in this process.
Considering the condition of the Tara at this time, these restoration parties will be going on for many months. She has been mercilessly graffitted and vandalized. Her crown was broken and the grounds were overcome with weeds and litter. Susy Aranda, who is very active in the restoration process, wonders whether the present condition of the sculpture is not a reflection of how our cultural relates to women, to beauty and to art. Special thanks to Susy in preparing this article. Regardless of one`s own nationality or religion, it is important to take care of this international treasure.
Ensenada was truly blessed with this cultural gift. We can both show respect and have a fun time taking care of her. In addition to the restoration, there are ongoing meditation meetings held in Ensenada. The meditations are to reduce anxiety, solve emotional conflicts, and to fortify the body and mind with internal quietude.
The mood the first Saturday I went was happy, relaxed, and attended by people as young as 12 and as old as…well. And by the way, I got through the mountains with not a speck of fear, enjoyed the unencumbered valley yellow with wild mustard, stretching to the grey, blue and purple mountains uniting with the sky, and got home relaxed and invigorated. And honored to be able to enjoy the beauty of Ensenada from this high hill while contributing to the well being not just of the sculpture, but all she represents.
Information on events and how you can help can be provided by Susy Aranda (011 52) (646) 1754229 or Maryann VanHoomissen at (646) 155-6275, email, artesdeltibet@gmail.com or wattagorilla@hotmail.com. |
