The most popular and best-known Tibetan Buddhist goddess is the great Tara. Like Kwan Yin, Tara represents the quality of compassion and is seen as the female counterpart of the male celestial bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. Her name means Star, which is interpreted as "she who leads across" or the Great Saviouress. Full of compassion, she comes to the aid of people in distress and champions the downtrodden.
— Sandy Boucher, Opening the Lotus