Masters of Mahamudra
Songs and Histories of the Eighty-Four Buddhist Siddhas
By Keith Dowman
This is a translation of the lives and songs of realisation of the
84 Buddhist Mahasiddhas, who lived in India between the eighth
and twelfth centuries. Keith Dowman—who collected these
histories and songs of realisation—brings them together in a way
that delightfully illuminates lives which were often highly
unconventional.
The book offers an explanation of the development of Tantra, from the particular perspective of
Mahamudra. Mahamudra—like Dzogchen—teaches that
enlightenment is possible through any personal situation or
predication – as long as one has the direct inspirational
guidance of a personal teacher. Amongst the eighty-four Mahasiddhas
there were those whose objects of meditation were sensually
delightful: flowers, bird-song, music, and sexuality. Amongst the
Mahasiddhas were those who gained realisation through their
livelihoods: a King, a restauranteur, a senile weaver, a prostitute, a
housewife, a musician, a cowboy, a vintner, a cobbler, a gambler, an
academic, a potter, and an oil manufacturer. There were those who
practised through their dispositions: an indolent, a thief, a beggar,
a grieving widower, a hedonist, a compulsive liar, a snob, and a
moron.
The accounts act as inspiration for Buddhists seeking to understand
the possibilities of practice in their full and hectic lives. We are
shown that what functioned for the Mahasiddhas—their students
and teachers—can function for us in relation to the teachers to
whom we have access today. If we are able to establish a close
personal relationship with a Tantric teacher – what was possible
in ancient India can become possible now.
Masters of Mahamudra is beautifully illustrated by the line
drawings of HR Downs.
Aro offers retreats on the method of the Mahasiddhas.
Another book on the Mahasiddhas is Buddhist Masters of Enchantment, also by Keith Dowman.
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