Eight vidyadharas

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Eight vidyadharas (Tib. rig 'dzin brgyad) - Eight Indian masters of awareness who were entrusted with the Kagyé teachings: Vimalamitra, Humkara, Mañjushrimitra, Nagarjuna, Prabahasti, Dhanasamskrita, Rambuguhya-Devachandra and Shantigarbha. Sometimes Padmasambhava is added as a ninth.

In the mandala of Rigdzin Düpa

The eight vidyadharas appear as follows in the mandala of Rigdzin Düpa (together with the associated deities of Kagyé):

  • East - Humkara - Yangdak Heruka
  • South - Manjushrimitra - Yamantaka
  • West - Nagarjuna - Hayagriva
  • North - Prabhahasti - Vajrakilaya
  • South-east - Dhanasamskrita - Mamo Bötong
  • South-west - Vimalamitra - Düdtsi Yönten
  • North-west- Rombhuguhya - Jikten Chötö
  • North-east - Shantigarbha - Möpa Drakngak

The Eight Vidyadharas and the Kagyé

According to Dudjom Rinpoche:
Master Deity Casket
Vimalamitra Chemchok gold
[Humkara Yangdak silver
Mañjushrimitra Yamantaka iron
Nagarjuna Hayagriva copper
Padmasambhava Vajrakilaya turquoise
Dhanasamskrita Mamo Bötong rhinoceros horn
Rambuguhya Jikten Chötö agate
Shantigarbha Möpa Drakngak Zi stone