White Tara statue is in permanent shrine
at the Sunray Peace Village

Vajra Dakini Nunnery received a statue of White Tara made for the nunnery by reknown sculptor Maurice Lowe. This life-size statue is filled with relics from H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, H. H. Phachok Rinpoche and H.H. Shenpen Dawa Rinpoche as well as over 3000 sheets of mantras. There are relics from the Drikung Kagyu and Nyingma traditions, Kyenga Rinpoche and Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. White Tara has been placed in a small shrine on the site of the future Vajra Dakini Nunnery Meditation Hall and Library at the Sunray Peace Village.

His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche consecrated the White Tara during his visit in September, and she will become a unique pilgrimage site and a blessing to all beings.

Who was White Tara: Mother of all Buddhas, and the Buddha of Healing and Long Life?

Born as a princess in India, White Tara had all the advantages: beauty, wealth, stature.  She lived a privileged life, practicing the Dharma and studying with great teachers.  Like Indian women of her class, she would have been sheltered, rarely leaving the palace. Then Tara contracted leprosy, the scourge of her day.  It would have been horrifying, and she would have been shunned.   Two traveling monks came to the palace.  With compassion, they told Tara about a famous temple housing a statue that was said to have healing powers. It was a long distance way and they encouraged her to make a pilgrimage. 
 
Pilgrims usually traveled simply, on foot.  We contemplate Tara leaving the palace, and walking through the dusty streets, encountering the realities of poverty.    The roads would have been filthy, strewn with sewage, cow dung and decaying garbage.   Every type of person would have been traveling alongside her, the ill, aged and disfigured.  It would have been frightening and difficult, and a long journey, like walking from New York to Florida.  This journey tested Tara's spiritual practice.  As she walked, Tara became more and more joyful!  
 
Finally reaching the distant temple, Tara knocked at the gate but the entrance was barred to her.  No lepers were allowed in the temple. Tara politely thanked the doorkeeper for maintaining the temple so beautifully. Undeterred, Tara sat beside the gate and continued to practice.  The people of the village were moved by her simplicity and joyful practice.  They began to bring her offerings of food and drink. 
 
Moved by Tara's devotion, inside the temple the statue of Chenresig, the Buddha of Compassion, began to weep.   One tear rolled across the courtyard and touched Tara's hem.  With this blessing, Tara realized the final stage of enlightenment.  She was not cured, but she was free of suffering, radiating compassion for all beings.

Her mantra is: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE MAMA AYUR JNANA PUNYE PUSHTING KURU SVAHA.