Green Tara Sungkhor (Protection Amulet)

Traditionally Prepared Talisman and Blessed at Tashi Chöthang Monastery

This traditional Tibetan Buddhist Green Tara sungkhor (Tib. srung 'khor, "protection wheel") is a sacred protection amulet traditionally prepared and blessed by Tibetan lamas at Tashi Chöthang Monastery, the principal monastery of Khentrul Rinpoche's root guru, Lama Lobsang Trinley.

Within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, a sungkhor is far more than a symbolic ornament. Sacred mantras, prayers, and protective diagrams are carefully folded according to traditional methods, wrapped, and consecrated through ritual practice to invoke the enlightened blessings of the deity. Worn close to the body or respectfully carried, these amulets serve as a continual support for Dharma practitioners, reminding them to rely upon the Buddha, cultivate virtue, and maintain an unbroken connection with enlightened qualities.

Green Tara — The Swift Liberator

Green Tara is one of the most beloved female Buddhas in all of Tibetan Buddhism. She embodies the swift, compassionate activity of all the Buddhas, responding immediately to the sincere prayers of those who call upon her. Her right foot extends from her lotus seat, symbolizing that she is always ready to rise and come to the aid of sentient beings without hesitation.

Known as The Swift Liberator, Green Tara is invoked to remove obstacles, dispel fear, and guide practitioners safely through both worldly and spiritual challenges. Throughout Tibet, her mantra and praises have been recited for centuries by monks, nuns, yogis, and lay practitioners seeking protection during travel, freedom from illness and adversity, success in virtuous endeavors, harmonious relationships, and progress on the path to awakening. Her mantra, Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha, is among the most widely recited in the Tibetan Buddhist world.

Protection from the Eight Great Fears

One of Green Tara's most celebrated qualities is her power to liberate beings from the Eight Great Fears. Traditionally these refer to dangers such as lions, elephants, fire, snakes, thieves, imprisonment, floods, and harmful spirits. On a deeper level, they symbolize the inner afflictions of pride, ignorance, anger, jealousy, wrong views, greed, attachment, and doubt that obstruct the path to enlightenment. Through devotion to Green Tara, practitioners seek protection not only from external dangers but also from the mental habits that are the true source of suffering.

For this reason, Green Tara sungkhors have long been worn by Tibetan Buddhists during pilgrimages, travel, important life transitions, periods of uncertainty, and daily practice as sacred supports for courage, confidence, and compassionate activity.

A Sacred Support for Practice

This blessed amulet is not regarded as a talisman that functions independently through superstition. Rather, it is a sacred support that helps strengthen one's connection with Green Tara through faith, refuge, mantra recitation, and Dharma practice. When carried respectfully and combined with sincere practice, it serves as a continual reminder of Green Tara's fearless compassion and the ever-present possibility of awakening for the benefit of all beings.

Care and Respect

To avoid damage to the sungkhor, it is recommended to keep it in a cloth or leather pouch. This also protects it from dust and moisture. The amulet may be worn around the neck, across the body, or respectfully carried in a bag. It may also be placed on a clean shrine or another respectful location within the home.

As with all sacred Buddhist objects, it should be kept clean and treated with respect. Avoid placing it directly on the floor or in unclean locations.

Traditional Recitation

It is traditional to recite the Dependent Origination Mantra three times before wearing or respectfully handling the amulet:

Om Ye Dharma Hetu Prabhava
Hetun Teshan Tathagato Hyavadat
Teshan Tsa Yo Nirodha
Evam Vadi Mahashramanah Soha

Many practitioners also recite Green Tara's mantra while wearing the amulet:

Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha

May Noble Green Tara swiftly remove all obstacles, dispel fear and suffering, and guide all beings along the path to perfect awakening.