The Cult of Tara

WORSHIP 203
The verse is repeated seven more times, substituting for each ocurrence
of the word "oblation," first "water for the feet" and then,
similarly, "flowers," "incense," "lamps," "perfumes," "food," and
"music"; each offering is accompanied by the above mantra (and
the appropriate gesture), substituting therein for the word ARGHAM
the words PADYAM, PUSPE, DHUPE, ALOKE, GANDHE, NAI-
VEDYE, and SABDA. On the word "music" is the first
crash of the cymbals, as the peaceful music is offered up in actuality.
These offerings are then filled in by the addition of an abbreviated
version, consisting of the recitation (or singing) of the following
verses:
Oblations, water for the feet, flowers,
incense, lamps, perfumes,
food, and music:
as many offerings as might be contained
in the vast and measurelass ocean,
that many I set out with devotion,
that many I offer up;
masters of compassion !
having accepted them as you will,
I pray you serve all the aims of beings.
Then once more the monks recite a series of offering mantras, with
the appropriate gestures, beginning with OM ARYA-TARA-GURU-
BUDDHA-BODHISATTVA-SAPARIVAREBHYO VAJRA-AR-
GHAM PRATlCCHA SVAHA! and substituting therein, as before,
PADYAM, PUSPE, DHUPE, ALOKE, GANDHE, NAIVEDYE,
and SABDA. Under the rumbling of the peaceful music they recite:
NAMAH SARVA-BUDDHA-BODHISATTVEBHYAH OM SAR-
VA-VID PLRA PURA AVARHEBHYAH SVAHA !
"Homage to all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas ! OM Omniscient!
Satisfying, satisfying to all those worthy SVAHA !"
This mantra constitutes a final "offering, reverence, and homage
with one's head to the feet of all the Tathagatas."
2.2221.3 Sevenfold office
Next, after these general offerings, there is offered up to Tara
the sevenfold office, here quoted from the Four Mandala ritual
written by the abbot Ch'im Namk'adrag and included in his Hundred
Riles of'Narl'ang: