Listening to this is like walking a spiral path to our own hearts.
~ Susan Shannon, Founder, Buddhist Prison Ministry
In a visionary effort to preserve and share sacred feminine wisdom, three acclaimed women—Dharma teacher Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton, chant artist Nina Rao, and composer/violinist Genevieve Walker—have joined forces to create an enchanting collection of the 21 Tara mantras, powerful Tibetan Buddhist chants known to “take the wind out of fear and suffering.”
This groundbreaking project is bringing these ancient practices to life through the Tara Mantra Mala trilogy—original melodies designed to preserve sacred sound, deepen meditation, and make the blessings of Tara accessible to all.
“These mantras have traditionally been passed through oral transmission in Tibetan-speaking communities. Now, practitioners of all backgrounds can connect with them through melody.”
— Lama Tsultrim Allione
We’re seeing a profound shift in how Western practitioners approach mantra,” explains Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton, author of “Embodying Tara: Twenty-One Manifestations to Awaken Your Innate Wisdom” (Shambhala). “These aren’t just ancient sounds – each mantra activates specific qualities within us. Tara Turavira awakens compassion for those facing climate anxiety. Tara Aparajita develops resilience against injustice. Tara Kurukullā helps practitioners magnetize positive conditions. The melodies provide an immediate connection to these transformative energies.”
Volume 1, featuring the first seven Tara mantras, has already been recorded with renowned producer Tina Malia, whose work has introduced sacred music traditions to millions. People have shared that they are using these recordings in a variety of settings and contemporary challenges, from hospice care to environmental activism, “Music bypasses our analytical mind and speaks directly to the heart,” says Nina Rao, devotional chant artist, teacher, and longtime contributor with Krishna Das, who has led thousands in chant practices worldwide. “In my twenty years teaching mantra, I’ve watched practitioners struggle with Sanskrit pronunciation or feel intimidated by traditional texts. These melodies remove those barriers, making the benefits of these practices immediately accessible while maintaining their authenticity and power.”
Having received extraordinary support from traditional lineage holders, including Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche of the Padmasambhava Institute, the project addresses a concern shared by many Tibetan Buddhist teachers: as elder lineage holders age, many rare practices face challenges in transmission to new generations. The 21 Taras mantras – drawn from the Nyingma treasure cycle of Jigme Lingpa’s Longchen Nyingtig – represent a beautiful tradition that has supported practitioners’ spiritual journeys for centuries.
Music & Mantra
Be a part of the magic
Pre-orders for the album open on March 16, offering a chance not only to receive this sacred collection, but to be part of its unfolding. By joining the 21 Tara Collective you can help to bring the 21 Taras to life through mantra, music, and devotion.
Conch Shell
– the sound of
the Dharma
$21 – $210
Endless Knot
– the interconnectedness
of all and sangha
$211 – $2,100
Wish Fulfilling Jewel
– Bodhicitta
$2,111 – $21,000
The goal is to raise $70,000 to complete the recording of all 21 Tara mantras
This volume is a hauntingly beautiful collection of songs in which each mantra is not just a chant but a musical experience, beautifully crafted to uplift, inspire, and maybe even nudge you toward your practice! The arrangements are soulful, resonant, and imbued with the energy of the Taras themselves. ~ David Nichtern
In Honor of Your Support
You will receive
- Digital download of Vol. 1 with exclusive bonus track by Genevieve Walker & Noah Hoffeld, available now
- Future digital downloads of Volumes 2 and 3 upon release
- PDF download of mantra names, aspect, transliteration and translation
- Guided Audio & Video Tara Meditation by Lopön Chandra
Endless Knot sponsors will also receive:
- Everything from the previous level AND
- Limited Edition Signed copy of “Embodying Tara” by Chandra Easton
- Beautiful set of 21 Tara Cards: full color, photographic images of the 21 Taras statues as they appear at Tara Mandala
Wishfulfilling Jewel sponsors will also receive:
- Everything mentioned from the previous level AND
- Video Series of 30 sessions of Tara and Goddess Practices
- Embodying the 21 Taras online 2 year course
- Donations of $10,000 or more will also receive an 8″ statue of Green Tara
- 21,000 will receive in-person private kirtan in the SF Bay Area with Nina, Genevieve, and Chandra, and Executive Producer credit
Lopön Chandra and Nina Rao, talk with Raghu Markus of Be Here Now Network about why we would want to chant Tara mantras and Chandra’s book #EmbodyingTara.
“What makes this project unique is how we’ve approached the melody creation – each tune is carefully crafted to enhance the specific energy of each Tara while remaining simple enough for anyone to learn.
We’ve created a musical bridge between an ancient tradition and contemporary practice.”
~ Genevieve Walker is a composer and violinist well known for her longtime accompaniment of Krishna Das
Nina Rao
Learn more about Nina Rao
and to hear her music, please
visit: NinaRaoChant.com
Genevieve Walker
Learn more about Genevieve Walker
and to hear her music, please visit:
GenevieveWalkerMusic.com
Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton
Find out more about courses with
Lopön Chandra, please visit:
ChandraEaston.com
Check out Lopön Chandra’s new book, Embodying Tara: Twenty-One Manifestations to Awaken Your Innate Wisdom (Shambhala)!
This beautiful resource offers meaningful insights into the qualities, symbolism, and mantras of each of the 21 Taras—a powerful companion for deepening your connection to their awakened energies.
Buddha taught that the power of mantras is inconceivable. Mantras are the self-emanated voice of the profound wisdom and compassion of the buddhas. Fully enlightened beings can emanate as sound and energy. Therefore, mantras are living buddhas and are a very powerful method for healing, purifying negativities, and increasing merit. The benefit to anyone who hears mantras, even those who have passed or those who have taken birth as animals, is immense. The sutras say that when we chant the mantras and praise the buddhas with an ocean of beautiful tunes and melodies, that accumulates tremendous merit and benefits whoever hears those sacred sounds. These Tara mantras are selected from among the many emanations of Tara, and are set to beautiful tunes. They soothe and calm all the turbulence of samara and glorify the strength and beauty of enlightened sunshine. They activate the profound, direct connection to mother Tara and benefit all beings.
KHENPO TSEWANG DONGYAL RINPOCHE
I have been chanting this mantra for decades, but never has it penetrated my heart like this, spreading through me like warm honey, lighting and nourishing my entire being. These three women have rewoven the luminous fibers of this ancient prayer to the sacred feminine and rendered a basket that holds the whole world. The melodies are gorgeous and accessible, creating an alluring, invitational space for us to participate. And participation becomes transformation.
Mirabai Starr, Author of Wild Mercy and Ordinary Mysticism
- Sunday, March 16 | Lama Live! with Lopön Chandra Easton, Nina Rao, and Genevieve Walker
- April 22, Earth Day Event with Nina Rao
- April 25-27, May 9-11, and June 6-8 | Embodying Tara: The Divine Feminine To Power Your Compassion, Intuition, And Joy With Chandra Easton, Bob Thurman, Nina Rao, And The THUS Vajra Yoga (™) Team
- April 25-27, May 9-11, June 6-8 | Weekend Workshop, Embodying Tara w/ Tibet House US