Eight vidyadharas of India
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Eight vidyadharas (T. rig 'dzin brgyad རིག་འཛིན་བརྒྱད་). Eight Indian masters who were the first recipients of the Eight Great Sadhana Teachings, according to the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. These masters are said to have mastered their respective teachings, thus attaining the level of vidyadhara.
- Vimalamitra
- Humkara
- Mañjushrimitra
- Nagarjuna
- Prabhahasti
- Dhanasamskrita
- Rambuguhya-Devachandra
- Shantigarbha
Sometimes Padmasambhava is added as a ninth, or as part of the eight in place of Prabahasti.
The Eight Vidyadharas and their associated deities
The Eight Vidyadharas are associated with the deities of the Eight Great Sadhana Teachings as follows:[3]
| Master | Deity | Casket |
|---|---|---|
| Vimalamitra | Mahottara heruka | gold |
| Humkara | Viśuddha heruka | silver |
| Mañjushrimitra | Yamantaka | iron |
| Nagarjuna | Hayagriva | copper |
| Padmasambhava | Vajrakilaya | turquoise |
| Dhanasamskrita | Mamo Bötong | rhinoceros horn |
| Rambuguhya | Jikten Chötö | agate |
| Shantigarbha | Möpa Drakngak | Zi stone |
Notes
- ↑ Jigme Lingpa, Patrul Rinpoche & Getse Mahapandita 2006, Glossary, s.v. "Eight Knowledge Holders".
- ↑ Buswell & Lopez 2014, s.v. List of Lists, s.v. Eight vidyādharas.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1
Eight vidyadharas of India, Rigpa Shedra Wiki
Sources
Buswell, Robert E.; Lopez, Donald S. (2014), The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, Princeton University
Jigme Lingpa; Patrul Rinpoche; Getse Mahapandita (2006), Deity, Mantra, and Wisdom: Development Stage Meditation in Tibetan Buddhist Tantra, translated by Dharmachakra Translation Committee, Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion Publications
Further reading
Print publications:
- Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Tayé, The Treasury of Knowledge: Systems of Buddhist Tantra (Ithaca: Snow Lion, 2005)
- Dudjom Rinpoche. The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism. pp. 475-383
Web publications
- Eight vidyadharas of India, Rigpa Shedra Wiki
Eight Vidyadhara Main Page, Himalayan Art Resources
Eight awareness holders, Eight Vidyadharas, Wisdom Library
Eight Vidyādharas Series, Lotsawa House
