Tara is considered to be the mother of the Tibetan people and is so central to Tibetan Buddhism that some suggest it might better be called "Taraism". The historic Buddha, born an Indian prince, knew Tara as the Great Mother. In Hindu religion, only the privileged classes could enter the temples, but the Buddha rejected the caste system and opened Buddhist worship and priesthood to all seekers.

Buddhism traveled all over Asia and the worship of Tara went with it. Today She is the adored, compassionate Mother of the native peoples of Tibet, Nepal, and much of Southeast Asia. Tara is less known in Japan, China and Korea, home to Asia's other female bodhisattva, Kwan Yin. Tara's greatest enduring impact has been in Tibet, where by the 11th century CE devotion to Her was widespread. Tibetans themselves disagree about Her origins. Some say She was originally Hindu; some say Tibetan. With the 20th-century exile of Tibetan religious men and women from their homelands, Tibetan Buddhism has become a worldwide phenomenon and Tara, a goddess beyond borders.

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