Mahāsiddha

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Mahāsiddha (Skt., great masters of powers, iddhis).

Hinduism

Traditionally, there are eighty-four mahāsiddhas, mainly in the Tantric tradition. Some are of legendary character, and are usually depicted in fearsome form, but others were teachers and prominent people.

Buddhism

The eighty-four mahāsiddhas were adopted from Hinduism, and celebrated in stories and songs (doha). But the mahāsiddhas were then greatly extended in number, especially in Vajrayāna, where a mahāsiddha is one who has acquired the teachings of the Tantras and demonstrates this through great powers (iddhis).

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