Siddhi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with the African-descended Siddi people of India (though sometimes spelled identically).
Siddhi (Sanskrit:सिद्धिः; siddhiḥ) is a Sanskrit word that literally means "accomplishment", "attainment", or "success".[1] It is also used as a term for spiritual power (or psychic ability). The term is used in that sense in Hinduism and Tantric Buddhism. These spiritual powers supposedly vary from relatively simple forms of clairvoyance to being able to levitate, to be present at various places at once, to become as small as an atom, to materialize objects, to have access to memories from past lives, and more.
There are many perspectives of attaining Siddhis. One school of thought states that they are a normal set of occurrences that should not be focused upon because they will pull one from the path. Other perspectives hold that each siddhi should be pursued because it will allow one to understand the power of the Godhead. Siddhis can occur in two ways: naturally, or as a result of extended practice of austerities. They are often mentioned in conjunction with Riddhi (pl Riddhis), which means material or worldly wealth, power, luxurious lifestyles, etc.
Contents [hide]
1 Nine main Siddhis
2 Eight Primary Siddhis
2.1 Mahabharata Version
2.2 Srimad Bhagavatam Version
3 Ten Secondary Siddhis
4 Five Siddhis of Yoga and Meditation
5 Obtaining Siddhis
6 References
7 Further reading
8 See also
[edit] Nine main Siddhis
Parkaya Pravesha: Parkaya Pravesh means one’s soul entering into the body of some other person. Through this knowledge even a dead body can be brought to life.
Haadi Vidya: This Vidya or knowledge has been mentioned in several ancient texts. On acquiring this Vidya, a person feels neither hunger nor thirst, and can remain without eating food or drinking water for several days at a stretch.
Kaadi Vidya: Just as one does not feel hungry or thirsty in Haadi Vidya, similarly in Kaadi Vidya a person is not affected by change of seasons, i.e. by summer, winter, rain, etc. After accomplishing this Vidya, a person shall not feel cold even if he sits in the snow-laden mountains, and shall not feel hot even if he sits in the fire.
Vayu Gaman Siddhi: Through this Siddhi a person can become capable of flying in the skies and traveling from one place to another in just a few seconds.
Madalasa Vidya: On accomplishing this Vidya, a person becomes capable of increasing or decreasing the size of his body according to his wish. Lord Hanuman had miniaturized his body through this Vidya while entering the city of Lanka.
Kanakdhara Siddhi: One can acquire immense and unlimited wealth through this Siddhi.
Prakya Sadhana: Through this Sadhana a Yogi can direct his disciple to take birth from the womb of a woman who is childless or cannot bear children.
Surya Vigyan: This solar science is one of the most significant sciences of ancient India. This science has been known only to the Indian Yogis; using it, one substance can be transformed into another through the medium of sun rays.
Mrit Sanjeevani Vidya: This Vidya was created by Guru Shukracharya. Through it, even a dead person can be brought back to life.
[edit] Eight Primary Siddhis
[edit] Mahabharata Version
Ganesha with the Ashta (8) Siddhis. The Ashtasiddhi are shown as attendants of Ganesha. Painting by Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906)There is the concept of the Ashta Siddhi (eight siddhis) in Hinduism. These are:
Aṇimā: reducing one's body even to the size of an atom
Mahimā: expanding one's body to an infinitely large size
Garima: becoming infinitely heavy
Laghimā: becoming almost weightless
Prāpti: having unrestricted access to all places
Prākāmya: realizing whatever one desires
Iṣṭva: possessing absolute lordship;
Vaśtva: the power to subjugate all.
In Hinduism, Hanuman possesses the ability to bestow the eight siddhis and the nava nidhi (nine types of wealth).
[edit] Srimad Bhagavatam Version
In the Srimad Bhagavatam Lord Krishna describes the Eight Siddhis as[2]:
Aṇimā: Becoming smaller than the smallest (an atom);
Mahimā: Becoming larger than the largest;
Laghimā: Becoming lighter than the lightest;
Prāptị: Acquiring anything from anywhere;
Prākāmyam: Obtaining or performing whatever one desires;
Iśitā: Manipulating the subpotencies of maya;
Vaśitā: The power to bring others under control;
Kāmāvasāyitā: Obtaining any desired result, to the highest possible limit.
[edit] Ten Secondary Siddhis
In the Srimad Bhagavatam Lord Krishna describes the Ten Secondary Siddhis as:
anūrmi-mattvam: Being undisturbed by hunger, thirst, and other bodily disturbances
dūra-śravaṇa: Hearing things far away
dūra-darśanam: Seeing things far away
manaḥ-javah: Moving the body wherever thought goes (teleportation)
kāma-rūpam: Assuming any form desired
para-kāya praveśanam: Entering the bodies of others
sva-chanda mṛtyuh: Dying when one desires
devānām saha krīḍā anudarśanam: Witnessing and participating in the pastimes of the Apsaras
yathā sańkalpa saḿsiddhiḥ: Perfect accomplishment of one's determination
ājñā apratihatā gatiḥ: Orders or Commands being unimpeded
[edit] Five Siddhis of Yoga and Meditation
In the Srimad Bhagavatam the Five Siddhis of Yoga and Meditation are described as:
tri-kāla-jñatvam: Knowing the past, present and future;
advandvam: Tolerance of heat, cold and other dualities;
para citta ādi abhijñatā: Knowing the minds of others and so on;
agni arka ambu viṣa ādīnām pratiṣṭambhaḥ: Checking the influence of fire, sun, water, poison, and so on;
aparājayah: Remaining unconquered by others;
[edit] Obtaining Siddhis
Siddhi powers are said to be obtainable by meditation, control of the senses, devotion, herbs, mantras, pranayama, or good birth.
Lord Krishna states that:
"For a sage who has conquered his senses, breathing and mind, who is self-controlled and always absorbed in meditation on Me, what mystic perfection could possibly be difficult to achieve?" (SB 11.15.32)
Seeking siddhi powers is often discouraged and considered to be an impediment to spiritual advancement. J Krishnamurti warned about siddhis in the context of meditation, comparing them to candles in the sun.
[edit] References
^ Apte, A Practical Sanskrit Dictionary, p. 986.
^ http://vedabase.net/sb/
[edit] Further reading
Sri Ramakrishna Math (1985). Hanuman Chalisa. Chennai, India: Sri Ramakrishna Math. ISBN 81-7120-086-9
Srimad Bhagavatam
[edit] See also
Samadhi
Vibhuti
Iddhi
Abhijna
Yoga
Kundalini
Parapsychology
Moksha
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhi"
Siddhi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Siddha
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A siddha in Sanskrit means "one who is accomplished" and refers to perfected masters who according to Hindu belief have transcended the ahamkara (ego or I-maker), have subdued their minds to be subservient to their Awareness, and have transformed their bodies composed mainly of dense Rajo-tama gunas into a different kind of bodies dominated by sattva. This is usually accomplished only by persistent meditation over many lifetimes.
A siddha has also been defined to refer to one who has attained a siddhi. The siddhis as paranormal abilities are considered emergent abilities of an individual that is on the path to siddhahood, and do not define a siddha, who is established in the Pranav - the Aum, which is the spiritual substrate of creation. The siddhi in its pure form means "the attainment of flawless identity with Reality (Brahman); perfection of Spirit."
The concept of siddhas is a prime notion in Jainism.
Contents [hide]
1 Siddha-loka
2 Tamil Nadu tradition of Siddhahood
3 See also
4 References
5 External links
[edit] Siddha-loka
In Hindu cosmology siddhaloka is a subtle world (lokam) where perfected beings (siddhas) take birth. They are endowed with the eight primary siddhis at birth.
[edit] Tamil Nadu tradition of Siddhahood
In South India, a siddha refers to a being who has achieved a high degree of physical as well as spiritual perfection or enlightenment. The ultimate demonstration of this is that siddhas allegedly attained physical immortality. Thus siddha, like siddhar or cittar (indigenisation of Sanskrit terms in Tamil Nadu) refers to a person who has realised the goal of a type of sadhana and become a perfected being. In Tamil Nadu, South India, where the siddha tradition is still practiced, special individuals are recognized as and called siddhas, or siddhars or cittars, who are on the path to that assumed perfection after they have taken special secret rasayanas to perfect their bodies, in order to be able to sustain prolonged meditation along with a form of pranayama which reduces the number of breaths taken by them considerably.
Siddha medicine is a form of medical treatment of diseases using substances of all possible origins in a way that balances the possible harmful effect of each substance. This form of medicine was professed and practised by siddhars who wrote their recipes on palm-leaves for the use of future generations. Siddha medicine was developed by outstanding Dravidians (ancient Tamils), locally called Cittars. Preparations are made mainly out of the parts of the plants and trees such as leaves, bark, stem, root etc, but include also mineral and some animal substances. This form of medicine is still today well known in South India. The use of metals like gold, silver and iron powders (Sanskrit bhasma) in some preparations is a special feature of siddha medicine, which claims it can detoxify metals to enable them to be used for stubborn diseases. This claim is especially relevant in the case of mercury which is relatively often used in the system; that means medicine containing purified mercury should only be received from a highly qualified practitioner of the art.
[edit] See also
Agastyar
Tirumular
Siddha Sampradaya
Siddha Yoga
Siddhi
Mahasiddha
Mahasiddha
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mahasiddhas (Sanskrit: maha - great, siddhas - achievers or adepts, who embody and cultivate siddhi) are a type of eccentric yogis or tantrikas important in Tantric Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism. A Siddha or adept is an individual who, through the practice of sadhana attains the realization of siddhis or psychic and spiritual abilities and powers. It was the Mahasiddhas who instituted the practices that birthed the Inner Tantras. Their historical influence throughout the Indic and Himalayan region was vast and they reached mythic porportions which is codified in their hagiography. The Mahasiddha are acknowledged as the founders of many Indian and Buddhist traditions and lineages.
Contents [hide]
1 Genealogy and historical dates
2 Mahasiddha tradition
3 84 Mahasiddha
4 Complete list of Mahasiddhas
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
[edit] Genealogy and historical dates
The exact genealogy and historical dates of the Mahasiddhas are contentious. Dowman (1986) holds that they all lived between 750 CE - 1150 CE.
[edit] Mahasiddha tradition
Mahasiddhas represent the mystical and unconventional which, in tantric thinking, is often associated with the most rarified and sublime levels or states of spiritual enlightenment and realisation. They are typically contrasted with arhats, austere saints, though this description is also suitable for many of the Mahasiddhas.
The non-monastic Mahasiddha Dharma comprises: artists, business people, healers, family people, politicians, nobility and outcasts; the Mahasiddhas were a diverse group of people who were practical, committed, creative and engaged with their world. As a collective, their spirituality may be viewed as key and essential to their lives; simple, in concert and accord with all aspects of their lived experience. The basic elements of the lives of the Mahasiddas included their diet, physical posture, career, relationships; indeed 'ordinary' life and lived experience were held as the principal foundation and fodder for realization. As Siddhas, their main emphasis in spirituality and spiritual discipline was direct experience of the sacred and spiritual pragmatism.[citations needed]
Reynolds (2007) states that the Mahasiddha Tradition:
"...evolved in North India in the early Medieval Period (3-13 cen. CE). Philosophically this movement was based on the insights revealed in the Mahayana Sutras and as systematized in the Madhyamaka and Chittamatrin schools of philosophy, but the methods of meditation and practice were radically different than anything seen in the monasteries."
Mahasiddhas are a form of bodhisattva, meaning they not only have the spiritual abilities to enter nirvana whenever they please, but they are so compassionate they resolve to remain in samsara instead to help others. Mahasiddhas are often associated with historic persons, but nonetheless typically have magical powers or siddhi which they achieve by the efficacy of their spiritual practice.
Reynolds (2007) proffers that the Mahasiddha Tradition:
"...broke with the conventions of Buddhist monastic life of the time, and abandoning the monastery they practiced in the caves, the forests, and the country villages of Northern India. In complete contrast to the settled monastic establishment of their day, which concentrated the Buddhist intelligenzia [sic.] in a limited number of large monastic universities, they adopted the life-style of itinerant mendicants, much the wandering Sadhus of modern India."
The Mahasiddha Tradition may be conceived and considered as a cohesive body due to their spiritual style which was distinctively non-sectarian, non-elitist, non-dual, non-elaborate, non-sexist, non-institutional, unconventional, unorthodox and non-renunciate. The Mahasiddha Tradition arose in dialogue with the dominant religious practices and institutions of the time which often foregrounded practices and disciplines that were over-ritualized, politicized, exoticized, excluded women and whose lived meaning and application were largely inaccessible and opaque to non-monastic peoples.[citations needed]
[edit] 84 Mahasiddha
By convention there are 84 Mahasiddhas in both Hindu and Tibetan Buddhist traditions, with some overlap between the two lists. The number is congruent with the number of siddhi or occult powers held in the Dharmic Religions. In Tibetan Buddhist art they are often depicted together as a matched set in works such as thangka paintings where they may be used collectively as border decorations around a central figure.
Each Mahasiddha has come to be known for certain characteristics and teachings, which facilitates their pedagogical use. One of the most beloved Mahasiddhas is Virupa, who may be taken as the patron saint of the Sakyapa sect and instituted the Lam Dre teachings. Virupa lived in 9th century India and was known for his great attainments.
Other Mahasiddhas include Marpa, the Indian translator who brought Buddhist texts to Tibet, and Milarepa, Marpa's student and the first native-born Vajrayana lama or guru of Tibet. In Buddhist iconography, Milarepa is always represented with his right hand cupped against his ear, to listen to the dharma and the all-important oral transmission which anchors the non-Nyingmapa lineages (i.e. the Sakya, Kadam, Kagyu, and Gelug schools). Another interpretation of the imagery is that the teacher is engaged in a secret yogic exercise (e.g. see Lukhang).
Some of the methods and practices of the Mahasiddha were codified in Buddhist scriptures known as Tantras. Traditionally the ultimate source of these methods and practices is held to be the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, but often it is a transhistorical aspect of the Buddha or deity Vajradhara or Samantabhadra who reveals the Tantra in question directly to the Mahasiddha in a vision or whilst they dream or are in a trance. This form of the deity is known as a sambhogakaya manifestation. Dzogchen Dream Yoga entered the Himalayan tantric tradition from the Mahasiddha, Ngagpa and Bonpo. Dream Yoga or "Milam" (T:rmi-lam; S:svapnadarśana), is one of the Six Yogas of Naropa.[citations needed]
[edit] Complete list of Mahasiddhas
In Buddhism there are 84 Mahasiddhas (the asterisk * denotes a female):
Acinta or Acintapa, the 'Avaricious Hermit';
Ajogi or Ayogipa, the 'Rejected Wastrel';
Anangapa, Ananga, or Anangavajra;
Aryadeva (or Karnaripa), the 'Lotus-Born' or the 'One-Eyed';
Babhaha, the 'Free Lover';
Bhadrapa, the 'Snob' or the 'Exclusive Brahmin';
Bhandepa, the 'Envious God';
Bhiksanapa, 'Siddha Two-Teeth';
Bhusuku, Bhusukupada or Shantideva, the 'Lazy Monk' or the 'Idle Monk';
Camaripa, the 'Divine Cobbler';
Campaka or Campakapada, the 'Flower King';
Carbaripa or Carpati, 'Who Turned People to Stone' or 'the Petrifyer';
Catrapa, the 'Lucky Beggar';
Caurangipa, the 'Limbless One' or 'the Dismembered Stepson';
Celukapa, the 'Revitalized Drone';
Darikapa, the 'Slave-King of the Temple Whore';
Dengipa, the 'Courtesan's Brahmin Slave';
Dhahulipa, the 'Blistered Rope-Maker';
Dharmapa, the 'Eternal Student' (c.900 CE);
Dhilipa, the 'Epicurean Merchant';
Dhobipa, the 'Wise Washerman';
Dhokaripa, the 'Bowl-Bearer';
Dombipa, the 'Tiger Rider';
Dukhandi, the 'Scavenger';
Ghantapa, the 'Celibate Monk' or the 'Celibate Bell-Ringer';
Gharbari or Gharbaripa, the Contrite Scholar (Skt., pandita);
Godhuripa, the 'Bird Catcher';
Goraksa, Gorakhnath or Goraksha, the 'Immortal Cowherd';
Indrabhuti, (teachings disseminated to Tilopa);
Jalandhara, the 'Dakini's Chosen One';
Jayananda, the 'Crow Master';
Jogipa, the 'Siddha-Pilgrim';
Kalapa, the 'Handsome Madman';
Kamparipa, the 'Blacksmith';
Kambala, the 'Yogin of the Black Blanket' (or the 'Black-Blanket-Clad Yogin');
Kanakhala*, the younger of the two Headless Sisters or Severed-Headed Sisters;
Kanhapa (or Krsnacarya), the 'Dark-Skinned One' (or the 'Dark Siddha');
Kankana, the 'Siddha-King';
Kankaripa, the 'Lovelorn Widower';
Kantalipa, the 'Rag Picker' (or the 'Ragman-Tailor');
Kapalapa, the 'Skull Bearer';
Khadgapa, the 'Master Thief' (or the 'Fearless Thief');
Kilakilapa, the 'Exiled Loud-Mouth';
Kirapalapa (or Kilapa), the 'Repentant Conqueror';
Kokilipa, the 'Complacent Aesthete';
Kotalipa (or Tog tse pa, the 'Peasant Guru';
Kucipa, the 'Goitre-Necked Yogin';
Kukkuripa, (late 9th/10th Century), the 'Dog Lover';
Kumbharipa, 'the Potter';
Laksminkara*, 'The Mad Princess';
Lilapa, the 'Royal Hedonist';
Lucikapa, the 'Escapist';
Luipa, teachings disseminated to Tilopa;
Mahipa, the 'Greatest';
Manibhadra*, the 'Model Wife' or the 'Happy Housewife';
Medhini, the 'Tired Farmer';
Mekhala*, the elder of the two Headless Sisters or Severed-Headed Sisters;
Mekopa, the 'Wild-Eyed Guru' (or the 'Guru Dread-Stare');
Minapa, the 'Fisherman';
Nagabodhi, the 'Red-Horned Thief';
Nagarjuna,
Nalinapa, the 'Self-Reliant Prince';
Nirgunapa, the 'Enlightened Moron';
Pacaripa, the 'Pastrycook';
Pankajapa, the 'Lotus-Born Brahmin';
Putalipa, the 'Mendicant Icon-Bearer';
Rahula, the 'Rejuvenated Dotard';
Saraha,
Sakara or Saroruha;
Samudra, the 'Pearl Diver';
Santipa (or Ratnakarasanti), the 'Academic' (the 'Complacent Missionary') was a teacher of Brogmi;
Sarvabhaksa, the 'Empty-Bellied Siddha' (or the 'Glutton');
Savaripa, the 'Hunter', held to have incarnated in Drukpa Künleg;
Syalipa, the 'Jackal Yogin';
Tantepa, the 'Gambler';
Tantipa or Tanti, the 'Senile Weaver';
Thaganapa,
Thaganapa, 'Master of the Lie' (or the 'Compulsive Liar');
Tilopa,
Udhilipa, the 'Flying Siddha' (the 'Bird-Man');
Upanaha, the 'Bootmaker';
Vinapa, the 'Music Lover', the 'Musician' (teachings disseminated to Indrabhuti) and Tilopa};
Virupa, inspired the Sakya lineage;
Vyalipa, the 'Courtesan's Alchemist'.
[edit] See also
Matsyendranath
Shantideva
[edit] References
Dowman, Keith (1986). Masters of Mahamudra: Songs and Histories of the Eighty-four Buddhist Siddhas. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press. ISBN 0-88706-160-5
Reynolds, John Myrdhin (2007). The Mahasiddha Tradition In Tibet. Source: [1] (accessed: Wednesday, June 20, 2007)
[edit] External links
Murals of mahasiddhas in the Lukhang hidden temple
Names of the 84 Mahasiddha (with brief explanation of their meaning).
The Mahasiddha Linedrawings of H.R.Downs (in Dowman (1986)).
MahaSiddha Dharma website
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahasiddha"
Mahasiddha - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
chandrakavi
14-10-2007, 02:33 AM
Anybody on this forum know the true story about this guy now called
Osho.
His books ring truth and are very good.
Yet - there seem to be confusion and accusations and
counter-accusations about him and how he died.
Anyone here know the 'truth' about him? I know he used
to be called Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and there are claims
US government posioned him.
Apologies to yeiayel English is not probably your first language -
but I understand waht you are saying now.
Talking about the people who are now 'running' oSho university is it?
Again, his books make great sense - so whats the truth about him?
Osho, was a master , a Mystic born in India.
He spoke on Meditation techniques,
and very much against politicians, althouigh he did not use the word Illuminati.
He was poisoned by FBI, CIA agents, with a poison called THALLIUM, which the CIA had used in the times of Viet Nam. It is a poison, that once given to you, you get a heart attack 2 years later. So the´people who use it cannot be blamed for having used it. Osho was not allowed to return to the USA and died in India 2 years later, having said of the thallium poisoning while alive by his doctor, he was subjected to.
Natuarally he was very much attacked by world politicians, presidents, and prime Ministers, because he unmasked them, and spoke against them,
all the time.
All the things said in his books, are what he spoke in his talks in the morning and evening everyday. That was taped and finally made into 800 books. But he never wrote a single book.
I don't know much about the Osho Universitity except that they do the Osho meditations, lots of his techniques before leaving his body.
You can look that up in www.osho.com
He was very much in favor of the individual, was against ALL Organized Religions.
More than trying to find out who he was and what everyone thought about him.
One should practice his meditations, read his books, which gets you into a flavor your inner self. The rest is the TV opinion of the establishment you get in the Media, which of course do not like him, because his opiniopns did not
favor the establishment people. Of course the 96% controlled Illuminati Media attacked him. Also the Vatican intelligence which had contact with
Intelligence of different countries. Today's Pope, then a cardinal, received weekly top secret information from INTELLIGENCE of all countries about Osho and all matters.
What you see in Osho's teachings, is a self reflection of what you have
inside yourself. We all reflect our experiences on other people.Wether this be positive or negative.
But it is all our subjetivity.
Take the wisdom, and run!....
The rest is what the establishment has to say....