Though the Tara of today's Tibetan Buddhism is a deity whose primary work is to help humans accumulate the merit necessary to move off the wheel of reincarnation, to achieve Enlightenment and find their way out of the sufferings (samsara) inherent in life on earth, Her origins and attributes clearly root Her in an earlier, earth-centered and earth-positive spirituality. Her bodhisattva vow--Her choice to continue reincarnating into samsara for the good of all--can be read as the profound strength of Her connection with earthly life from which She grows, as a lotus from mud. Even the mythical realm in which She resides, Khadiravani, is a great mountain filled with many kinds of trees, animals and flowers.

"Residing in the wild places of nature,
Tara is in relationship with plants, animals, and the mud of earth itself...." (rose)

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