Eight vidyadharas
Eight vidyadharas (Wyl. rig 'dzin brgyad) - Eight Indian masters of awareness (vidyadhara) who were entrusted with the Kagyé teachings: Vimalamitra, Humkara, Mañjushrimitra, Nagarjuna, Prabhahasti, Dhanasamskrita, Rambuguhya-Devachandra and Shantigarbha. Sometimes Padmasambhava is added as a ninth, or even as part of the eight in place of Prabahasti.
The Eight Vidyadharas and the Kagyé
| 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 |
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
