Full Moon Tara Puja: For Protection and Removing Obstacles
Begin your day with a morning Tara Puja, a beautiful devotional practice that invokes the blessings of Tara, the female embodiment of the enlightened activity of all the Buddhas. With her swift and compassionate energy, Tara helps us overcome obstacles and fears and supports the fulfillment of both our temporary and ultimate goals.
Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche especially recommends doing pujas and other practices on full and new moon days as the karmic effects of positive actions are multiplied.
Because this is a practice belonging to Action Tantra, it is best to refrain from eating black foods (including meat, eggs, onion, garlic, and radishes) in the morning before the puja. It is also best to avoid these foods in offerings.
“Reciting the 21 Taras’ prayer with devotion – remembering Tara singing praises and reciting mantras at any time of the day or night – protects you from fear and dangers, and fulfills all your wishes.”
“Tara can solve many problems in your life: liberate you from untimely death; help you recover from disease; bring you business success; help you to find a job; and bring you wealth. Through Tara’s practice, you can obtain any happiness in this life that you wish.”
~Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Prayer Request
If you would like to request a dedication for yourself or someone else, please make a prayer request here.
Puja Sponsorship
You will have the opportunity to sponsor the puja by making a donation during registration.
What is a Puja?
Pujas are traditional ceremonies in Tibetan Buddhism that involve prayers, offerings, and rituals. Their primary purpose is to create merit, purify negative karma, and invoke blessings for the well-being of individuals or communities. Pujas are often directed toward overcoming obstacles, promoting harmony, achieving success in spiritual and worldly activities, and generating positive energy for healing or protection.
Pujas typically include reciting prayers, chanting mantras, making offerings (such as food, incense, or flowers), and meditating on the presence of enlightened beings. These rituals help practitioners connect with the enlightened qualities of Buddhas and bodhisattvas, thereby invoking their blessings for guidance, protection, and spiritual support.
The FPMT emphasizes the importance of performing pujas with a sincere and altruistic motivation, aiming for the benefit of all sentient beings. Some common pujas performed within the FPMT include:
- Medicine Buddha Puja (for healing and health)
- Tara Puja (for protection and removing obstacles)
- Lama Chöpa (offering to spiritual teachers)
- Protector Pujas (for clearing hindrances and negative energies)
