Tara is the Saviouress.  While Tara is recognized in Hinduism as well as Buddhism, it is in the Mahayana and Vajrayana forms of Buddhism prevalent in Nepal, Tibet and parts of India that she is perhaps held most dear. She is the great Mother Goddess, the very embodiment of the Divine Feminine. Her boundless compassion has compelled her to lead innumerable beings to enlightenment. 

She is a great Bodhisattva. She took the vow to serve the Dharma and the perpetuation of enlightenment until not a single unenlightened being remained. In addition to this aspect of the Bodhisattva vow, she further pledged to take birth only as a woman. From a Vajrayana or Tantric perspective she is a complete and perfect Buddha. She possesses every good quality without exception and she is free of all defilements and imperfections however slight. Tara is revered for her willingness to save devotees from harm, and danger of any kind.

In this image, Tara is shown seated on a lotus, with her right hand extended downward in the position which grants accomplishment and holding an utpala flower stem. Her left hand, in the refuge granting position, also holds the stem of an utpala flower, which blooms just behind her shoulder.  Her right leg is extended indicating her readiness to spring to the aid of her devotees.