Tara is the Tibetan Buddhist Bodhisattva of Compassion and Wisdom, and like the Hindu Goddesses, she is the Divine Mother who protects, inspires, and guides us all.

Join us in a rich paradise land of devotional dance, artistic exploration, prayer and meditation.


Since 1985 the Mandala Dance of the 21 Praises of Tara has traveled throughout the world. Tara Dhatu is the international organization that was formed at the request of His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche. The organization is dedicated to empowering and uplifting humanity through the sacred arts. It has grown to sponsor workshops and trainings in the Tara Dance and other Dharma Dances, offering celebrations, pilgrimages of citizen diplomacy, and an array of Humanitarian Projects seeking to benefit the Tibetans-in-exile and other groups in need. The Tara Dance has been offered to many great Tibetan Teachers including His Holiness the Dalai Lama who have praised and encouraged the spread of this practice. The Tara Dance has been performed by thousands of people of all ages, nationalities, and walks of life. A moving meditation and embodied expression of the ancient prayers and tantric practices of the Great Mother Tara, the Mandala of the 21 Praises of Tara is a life transforming experience for all those who dance it or witness it and Phoenix has been proudly hosting monthly meetings and annual public offering for over a decade. Join us! Dance the Goddess! Realize the truth of being inherent in you and all: Wisdom, Compassion, and Power!

June 25-27 2010 Grand Rapids Mandala Dance Report


This June Parvati, Penny, and Brenda traveled from Phoenix to Grand Rapids, Michigan for a magical and moving week-end of delving deep into dance and prayers, meditations and the warmth of a community full of sincerity and heart. Hosted by Beth and Bob the group gathered, as is customary on Friday night to enter into Tara's profound path. Dancing in the lovingly cultivated gorgeous garden we were delighted by the sparkle of fireflies and the charge of the gathering energy. All the workshop participants went home to do personal contemplation on the prayers and Praises of Tara and gathered Saturday morning to see what wild and wonderful things the day held. After dancing through the five families of the Buddha family wisdoms we settled in and decided which dancer would carry each of the 21 quality of Tara into the world. Our hostess very appropriately took True Refuge and her Beloved that of Protector, how appropriate! After some fancy footing and much learning all found their place and we danced, and danced, and danced some more with break only for feasting in the middle! Saturday evening we all went our own ways for nourishment, rest, and contemplation. On Sunday morning we gathered, prepared the space outside and in and with the corners of our hearts swept clean we made a precious and sincere offering as the rains poured auspiciously down all around. I was very touched to find the community so focused and willing even though it was new to nearly all of them . A special quality was brought to the event by the fact that so many of those gathered were family of either blood or heart. I felt very at home and had a perfectly delightful time, finding myself very rejuvenated by the high level of Bliss that abounded! We are already sketching out 2011's June dance plans. May All Beings Be Happy and Free!