The MahaSiddha Tradition has its roots in India and Tibet. It shares the view of Dzogchen and is a tradition of Tantric practice of transforming all of life into the means of realization. This is accomplished through methods that arose awareness, cut through delusion & digest tensions, releasing us into an expanded natural relationship with the unconditioned reality underlying all things.

The spiritual style of the MahaSiddhas was distinctively non-sectarian, non-elitist, non-dual, non-elaborate, non-sexist, non-institutional, unconventional, unorthodox, and non- renunciate. It arose as a distinct alternative to the dominant religious practices of the time which often were presented in a way that was over ritualized, politicized, exoticized, excluded women and whose lived meaning and application were inaccessible to ordinary people. The primary theme of the MahaSiddhas practices was to engage with the main point of the path- awareness itself, without which all practices, ceremonies, visualizations and moral rules fall short.

MahaSiddha Buddhism is a non-monastic tradition. Artists, business people, healers, family people, politicians, nobility, outcasts, the MahaSiddhas 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.

This tradition developed among the unconventional yogic traditions of the MahaSiddhas whose spirituality later grew into many sects 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 trace their roots back to the MahaSiddhas insights, teachings and revelation.

The heart of the MahaSiddha tradition was the life & partnership of Yeshe Tsogyal and Padmasambhava who synthesized, established and spread the MahaSiddhas dharma (their way) throughout India, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. Through they founded both a Yogic tradition, symbolized by those with white cotton clothing and long hair, and a Monastic tradition, symbolized by those with red/maroon robes and shaved heads, the Monastic tradition is the most widely known 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.

Padmasambhava gave instructions on the MahaSiddha's Buddhism to his consort Mandarava, who also received instruction from Yeshe Tsogyal. She later incarnated as the lady Niguma, whose lineage inspired our mission to uphold and share MahaSiddha Buddhism. Our organization is dedicated to continuing the essential, direct style of the MahaSiddhas expression, sharing their life stories and training practitioners in their methods. Founded in 1999, we were established by our Director and Spiritual Teacher, Kali Ma Troma Rinpoche and her husband Derrick Seng-ge Pawo, together with the efforts and life practices of Aruna Rigdzin, the Vajra Sangha, and the extraordinary community of students and friends that have joined us in this effort.

This article is adapted from the writings of Troma Rinpoche