Created by Prema Dasara, the dance has been turning since 1985 and a
number of Student Teachers have stepped forward in their communities to hold
circles of practice and annual public offerings. It has been taught to thousands
of women and men throughout the world, including several groups of Tibetan
nuns and laywomen.
In words of Prema Dasara "The Mandala Dance of the 21 Praises of Tara is a
ritual dance offered worldwide as a prayer of peace, protection, wisdom and
capability. The words of the dance are based on a Tibetan Buddhist sadhana of
the Mother Goddess Tara, compiled by Orgyen Dechen Chokjur Lingpa, The
Great Tibetan Treasure Finder. It is said that he received the sadhana from
Tara Herself.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and many Great Lamas of all the lineages of
Tibetan Buddhism have given their blessing and offered their prayers that this
dance be shared as widely as possible.’’
What struck me this particular day was the "Prayer of Motivation" or as
how Clare, the local dance leader introduced it as, in New Zealand known as
the "Tara Haka."
As we started this gentle, potent dance I suddenly felt I was
touching a missing part of me, my connection to my roots here in
New Zealand.
The Tara Haka dance prayer had brought me back, rekindling my passion for
life and my purpose for being here:
I am here to manifest the
wisdom that rests within.
I am here to radiate my loving
compassion into the world.
I am