Green Tara has held a profound historical connection through the millennia with the Khön lineage holders; indeed, His Holiness’s residence is named the Tara Palace (Drolma Phodrang in Tibetan). His Holiness the 43rd Sakya Trizin received this lineage, amongst a treasury of teachings, directly from his father, the living Vajradhara Sakya Gongma (the 41st), who received it from his predecessor in an unbroken succession. The inception of this initiation dates back to the great translator Bari Lotsawa (1040–1111), who received it from the Great Lord Atisha, who in turn received it directly from Tara herself in human form at Bodhgaya.

Tara is also known as Prajnaparamita, the Mother of all Buddhas. She has guided many great masters to fulfil their duties and assist beings, especially those on the path to Buddhahood. Furthermore, she is particularly close to families and their daughters, granting blessings for a happy child and supporting all who pray for her guardianship.

This ceremony is titled Atisha’s Tara. The unfolding of the initiation and the manner in which it is offered accord strictly with Atisha’s own documentation of his encounter. In this tradition, all Taras have one face and two arms, differing only in body colour and the colour of the vase they hold. For each verse, a short visualisation is provided alongside the specific mantra for that form of Tara. This initiation comprises six White Taras, three Gold Taras, eight Red Taras, and four Dark Blue Taras. These represent the four primary enlightened activities:

In the Tibetan tradition, a Horse Year is famously linked to Mount Kailash. It is believed that spiritual acts performed during this year carry thirteen times the merit of those performed in ordinary years. Receiving an initiation at this time is seen as a way to "ride" this karmic acceleration, ensuring that our practice yields results far swifter than usual.