Supporting Women in Prison
A national Sangha of
Belonging
In the many letters we receive from women, we often read about:
the need for Belonging.
Many women say they felt that in completing our courses, they found a sense of belonging to something, a feeling they have been looking for all their lives.
This repeated theme has led to the creation of a Sangha for incarcerated Buddhists and Buddhist-friendly people identifying as female.
Why “Tara’s Sisters?”
In the Tibetan tradition, Tara is the female embodiment of the deity of Compassion (like Mary from the Christian tradition).
She holds us in grace, protection, grants us courage, compassion, and healing. Wouldn’t you want to be one of her sisters? What a great aspiration! Combine this with the beautiful Sanskrit word Kalyanamitra (Spiritual Friend), and you have the meaning and intention of the Tara’s Sisters Sangha.
In truth, these qualities are inherent in every human, no matter what gender, but this membership is specifically for women and those identifying as female.
Green Tara (thangka painting)
FAQs
Q. Do I have to declare myself a Buddhist to be a Tara’s Sister?
No! BPM’s courses present the tools and skills of Buddhism as a way of life that is compatible with all other faith traditions. You just need to finish all the courses.
Q. Can anyone join Tara’s Sisters?
The qualities of the Divine Feminine are inherent in every human, no matter what gender, but this membership is specifically for women and those identifying as female.
Q. Can I just take the courses without becoming a Tara’s Sister?
Of course!
Becoming a Tara’s Sister means to show
commitment, intentionality and discipline
in the path of transformation.
To become a Tara’s Sister, one needs to:
Complete BPM’s Introduction to Buddhism Course Book One
Complete BPM’s Prayers and Practices Course Book Two (Part I, II, and III)
Complete the Reactivity from a Buddhist Perspective Course
Complete the Divine Feminine Course
Write an essay about what was learned from each course (including each part of Course Book Two); alternatively answer the Integration Questions for each section in the above courses.
Official Tara Sister’s Members will receive a
Pledge and a Certificate of Completion.