印度八十四位大成就者的故事,佛教信众们大多耳熟能详。佛祖释迦牟尼涅槃后,在印度有许多大成就者出现,他们以各种善巧方便来教授大乘法要,调伏众生,使得大乘显教和密教佛法得以弘传。八十四位大成就者的事迹发生在8世纪到12世纪之间,来自印度社会各阶层,大部分属于市井平民或是生活穷困的下层,其中不乏小偷、赌徒、猎人、鞋匠、裁缝、乞丐、卖酒者等等,这些人在未成就前,有的傲慢自大,有的胆小如鼠,也有奄奄一息的老者。但经过努力禅修和上师教授指点,得到解脱成就,并弘法利益众生。八十四种不同人格,八十四件密续传奇,他们的故事令人惊奇而有趣,且饶富启示。

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Mahasiddha: great (maha) accomplished one (siddha), or great [spiritually] accomplished one, also known as Indian adepts. They are the principal Indian teachers of Hindu and Buddhist Tantra, or any great religious teacher that is credited with having special attainments and powers.

The study of mahasiddhas is understood through the Three Important Topics of 1. Three basic meanings/definitions, 2. Three functions of mahasiddha depictions, and 3. Three types of appearance. (For a full description of the topics see the Mahasiddha Definition Page).

The most important thing to recognize is that there is a difference between the abstract religious meaning of the term mahasiddha and siddha appearance. Also, not all mahasiddhas have siddha appearance. Some teachers with siddha appearance are not mahasiddhas belonging to a set of Eight or Eighty-four. 

In Tantric Buddhism mahasiddhas are primarily associated with Yoganiruttara (Anuttarayoga) - the highest of the four classification systems of Tantra. Most of the famous mahasiddha are from India. There are a number of siddhas from bordering countries such as Luipa and Aryadeva from Sri Lanka, and Suvarnadvipapa from the Golden Land (Burma, Malaysia, Indonesia). 

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