The MahaSiddha's Buddhism was a largely non-monastic tradition. Artists, business people, healers, family people, politicians, nobility, outcasts, the MahaSiddhas and practitioners of their tradition have always been a diverse group of people who were practical, committed, creative, and engaged with the world. Their spirituality was essential, simple and in concert with their ordinary lives. The basic elements of their ordinary life including their diet, physical posture, career, and relationships were regarded as the fertile ground for realization. As Siddhas, their main emphasis in spirituality was direct experience and what actually works to evoke awareness.

"Siddha means that which may not be according to scripture,
but has proved effective through a long lineage of enlightened experience."
- Dr. Naram

This tradition developed among the unconventional yogic style of the MahaSiddhas whose spirituality later grew into many schools which spread through India, Tibet and Nepal. Even though to practice and live dharma in their unorthodox and simple style is rare today, most Tibetan Buddhists, Hatha Yoga practitioners and even the Indian Trika Tantrics historically trace their roots back to the MahaSiddha's insights, teachings and revelation.

The heart of the MahaSiddha tradition was the life and partnership of Yeshe Tsogyal and Padmasambhava who synthesized, established and spread the MahaSiddha's dharma (their way) throughout India, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. Padmasambhava collected and mastered the entire corpus of the MahaSiddha's teachings and practices, and shared these teachings in a precise and extraordinary form. Due to his efforts, the Tantric teachings, which had dawned at the time of Shakyamuni Buddha and rose to full height with the lives of the MahaSiddhas, now flourished in the practice of Yogis/Yoginis who wore white cotton clothing and long hair. It was not the only teaching he shared, but for our school, it was the most relevant. Padmasambhava also fathered a monastic tradition, symbolized by those with red/maroon robes and shaved heads - that tradition is the most widely recognized form of Buddhism today. Our work is crucially important to continue to share and make visible the Yogic style as an authentic and serious path for those who are not monastically inclined. Continue...