Mahasiddha Manibhadra — a Female Master of Accomplishment

Himalayan Buddhism has several different traditions relating to the 84 mahasiddhas of ancient India. Among these traditions, two are particularly well known: the ‘Abhayadatta Sri’ and the ‘Vajrasana’. There is also a Bön tradition of the 84 Mahasiddhas.

There are differences between the ‘Abhayadatta Sri’ and the ‘Vajrasana’ enumerations. In general the number of Mahasiddhas varies between 84 and 88 — but only 36 of the names occur in both these enumerations.

Sometimes more than one siddha with the same name exists. If one explores all the listings in different traditions and lineages, it is possible that there were over 200 Mahasiddhas.

One list of Mahasiddhas which is not well known, was revealed by Jomo Pema ’ö-Zér — a female gTértön of the 19th Century.

Her gTérma of the 84 Mahasiddhas is unusual inasmuch as it contains many more female Mahasiddhas.

Another unusual feature of the gTérma of Jomo Pema ’ö-Zér is that the hagiographies are lengthy and highly detailed.

Each hagiography contains a Dzogchen Men-ngag-dé instruction in terms of the method of realisation and how it was given and applied by each Mahasiddha. Each hagiography also contains a visualisation and mantra — so that each Mahasiddha can be practised as a yidam (meditational deity).