In the Himalayan region, especially in Tibet and Nepal, Tara is referred to as the Embodiment of Perfected Wisdom. Her name means “star” in Sanskrit. In some Buddhist legends, it is said that she was born from one of Avalokiteshvara’s tears, shed in a moment of deep compassion. Other Buddhist legends, however, tell of a devout Buddhist princess who lived millions of years ago who became a bodhisattva, vowing to keep being reborn in female form (rather than in male form, which was considered more advanced on the path to enlightenment) to continue helping others.
