Mahasiddha Family

The Mahasiddha Family is a large group of fully enlightened masters (skt. mahasiddha) who have expressed their wish to be part of what we do in Amrita Mandala. For years, they have blessed and supported our sangha both on retreats and in home practice.

The Mahasiddha Family includes masters from all significant spiritual traditions. They were not randomly chosen into this list but appeared to Amrita Baba, the founder of Amrita Mandala, since he was a small boy. The list includes references to the former reincarnations of some masters, based on Amrita Baba's personal connection with them, that will help the reader understand the universal nature of the mission of dharma i.e. teachings of enlightenment.

The Mahasiddha Family is split into two groups:

  • Amrita Gurus are the main masters who we practice guru yoga with in Amrita Mandala

  • Larger Mahasiddha Family

Isha Natha

Babaji

Thirumoolar

Amrita Gurus

  • Agastya, legendary grandmaster of both buddhism and hinduism, consecrated Mount Kailash, the main guru of the Path of Healing and Light

  • Lopamudra, Agastya's heart disciple and partner

  • Guru Rinpoche a.k.a. Padmasambhava, legendary Indian master who founded the nyingma-school, the main guru of the Path of Wisdom and Clarity

  • Yeshe Tsogyal, Guru Rinpoche's main disciple and partner

  • Nandinatha of Mount Kailash, Agastya's heart disciple, guru of Patanjali and Thirumular

  • Thirumular a.k.a. Sundaranatha, guru of Sivakami Om Anandi; Amrita Baba's guru

  • Babaji Mahavatar, famous kriya yoga-master and heart disciple of Agastya

  • Mataji, Babaji's heart disciple and partner

  • Krishna, famous avatara of hinduism, known from Bhagavad Gita, reincarnation of Nandinatha

  • Radha, Krishna's heart disciple and partner

  • Ishanatha a.k.a. Jesus Christ, lightbody-master and founder of christianity

  • Maranatha, the tantric guru of Ishanatha, lived in Kashmir, reincarnation of Nandinatha

  • Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder and revitalizer of buddhadharma

  • Garab Dorje, the founder of dzogchen-teachings of the nyingma-school

  • Manjushrimitra, heart disciple of Garab Dorje, reincarnation of Nandinatha

  • Sri Singha, heart disciple of Manjushrimitra, guru of Padmasambhava

  • Vimalamitra, heart disciple of Sri Singha, famous dzogchen-master

  • Longchenpa, famous dzogchen-master and author

  • Dudjom Lingpa, famous 19th century dzogchen-master and terton

  • Machig Labdron, famous Tibetan female master who introduced Chod-practice, reincarnation of Yeshe Tsogyal

  • Dampa Sangye, guru of Machig Labdron, reincarnation of Guru Rinpoche

  • Dolpopa, great master of the Jonang-school, reincarnation of Nandinatha

  • Taranatha, great master of the Jonang-school, reincarnation of Babaji

  • Lao Tzu, the founder of Taoism, reincarnation of Agastya

  • Karuapo, ancient rainbow shaman, reincarnation of Padmasambhava

  • Amarji, ancient rainbow shaman, reincarnation of Agastya

  • Shivaji, ancient rainbow shaman, reincarnation of Thirumular

    Larger Mahasiddha Family

  • Zhang Sanfeng, heart disciple of Lao Tzu, famous Taoist master, the founder of tai chi chuan, reincarnation of Nandinatha

  • Lu Dongbin, the Eight Great Immortals, reincarnation of Babaji

  • Zhang Guolao, the Eight Great Immortals, reincarnation of Thirumular

  • Li Tieguai, the Eight Great Immortals, reincarnation of Vimalamitra

  • He Xiangu, the Eight Great Immortals, reincarnation of Mataji

  • Cao Guojiu, the Eight Great Immortals

  • Lan Caihe, the Eight Great Immortals

  • Han Xiangzi, the Eight Great Immortals

  • Zhongli Quan, the Eight Great Immortals

  • Du Xinlin, taoist master who demonstrated lightbody in Beijing, China in 1987

  • Rama, famous avatara of hinduism, predecessor of Krishna

  • Bogarnatha, heart disciple of Agastya

  • Ramalinga, famous Southern Indian lightbody-master, reincarnation of Ishanatha

  • Jomo Menmo, famous Tibetan female master and terton

  • Niguma, famous Indian female master

  • Tilopa, famous Indian mahasiddha

  • Milarepa, famous Tibetan mahasiddha

  • Saraha, famous Indian mahasiddha

  • Virupa, famous Indian mahasiddha

  • Shantipa, Indian mahasiddha

  • Luipa, Indian mahasiddha

  • Kilapa, Indian mahasiddha

  • Asanga, famous buddhist philosopher

  • Nagarjuna, famous buddhist philosopher

  • Dharmakirti, famous buddhist philosopher

  • Kukai a.k.a. Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon buddhism, brought tantric buddhism to Japan, reincarnation of Nandinatha

  • Ayu Khandro, famous Tibetan yogini of the 20th century

  • Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, famous Tibetan master of the 20th century

  • Chatral Rinpoche, famous Tibetan mahasiddha of the 20th century, Longchen Nyinthik-lineage

  • Khenpo Ngawang Palzang, guru of Chatral Rinpoche

  • Nyoshul Lungtok Tenpai Nyima, guru of Khenpo Ngawang Palzang

  • Patrul Rinpoche, guru of Nyoshul Lungtok Tenpai Nyima

  • Jigme Gyalwe Nyugu, heart disciple of Jigme Lingpa

  • Jigme Lingpa, famous dzogchen-master and terton

  • Sakya Sri, Tibetan master of the 19th century