Himalayan Art Resources

Indian Adept (Mahasiddha) Art History

Mahasiddha Main Page

Subjects, Topics & Types:
- Description (below)
- Masterworks
- Definition
- Outline Page
- Painting
- Painting Chronology (w/ Vajradhara)
- Sculpture
- Medium
- Mahasiddha Resource Page (old)
- Regions
- Early Period: 11th to 14th century
- Middle Period: 15th to 17th century
- Late Period: 18th to present
- Confusions
- Others...

Videos: Mahasiddha Videos Page

In painted depictions the Mahasiddhas are generally found in three different compositions. The first is together as a group of (1) eighty-four siddhas surrounding Vajradhara Buddha following one of the two or three popular systems of Eighty-four Mahasiddhas. The second composition depicts (2) Eight Mahasiddhas either surrounding a central figure such as Vajradhara or Padmasambhava. These eight siddhas can sometimes be found occupying the eight cemeteries of a wrathful or semi-wrathful mandala of the Anuttarayoga Tantric System. The third composition style is that of (3) lineage depictions where the first few or more figures in a lineage (after the Buddha or celestial figure such as Vajrapani or Manjushri) are mahasiddhas either in appearance or by hierarchical standing.

Database Search: All Images | Painting | Sculpture

Jeff Watt 4-2006 [updated 6-2017, 4-2019, 12-2019]

(The images below are only a selection of examples from the painting and sculpture links above).