Tara : Buddhist goddess
SCHOOL AND LIBRARY SUBSCRIBERS JOIN LOGIN Activate Your Free Trial! STORIES QUIZZES GALLERIES LISTS Tara Buddhist goddess Written by: The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica Alternative title: Sgrol-ma Tara , Tibetan Sgrol-ma , Buddhist saviour-goddess with numerous forms, widely popular in Nepal, Tibet, and Mongolia . She is the feminine counterpart of the bodhisattva (“Buddha-to-be”) Avalokiteshvara . According to popular belief, she came into existence from a tear of Avalokiteshvara , which fell to the ground and formed a lake. Out of its waters rose up a lotus, which, on opening, revealed the goddess. Like Avalokiteshvara, she is a compassionate, succouring deity who helps men “cross to the other shore.” She is the protectress of navigation and earthly travel, as well as of spiritual travel along the path to enlightenment. ...
