4. Courage

Another quality of an enlightened being is courageous ability: the power to act, to benefit sentient beings. This is based on the compassionate wish to do so and the wisdom to choose the correct action. The female Buddha known in Sanskrit as Tara (in Tibetan, Drolma; in English, The Liberator) is a manifestation of this powerful action energy. Tara is depicted in the bodhisattva aspect of the Vajrayana. One of her manifestations has a green light body and is holding a blue lotus flower in each hand. In a relaxed pose, she shows that she is ready to act immediately – so keen to help, no holding back. Swift, courageous, and supremely confident, she is able to effortlessly cut through obstacles and achieve success. Mother Tara is the liberator from the various fears and problems of day-to-day life. Reciting the mantra of Tara helps us develop the confidence and courage to persevere through difficulties, to make things happen, and therefore to be successful, to achieve our goals.