Four vidyadhara levels 四持明果位

Four vidyadhara levels (Tib. rigdzin nampa shyi; Wyl. rig 'dzin rnam pa bzhi) — the four levels of a vidyadhara which are specific to the Dzogchen or Nyingma tradition.

1. 異熟持明matured vidyadhara (Tib. namin rigdzin; Wyl. rnam smin rig 'dzin)
2. 壽自在持明vidyadhara with power over life (Tib. tsewang rigdzin; Wyl. tshe dbang rig 'dzin)
3. 大手印持明mahamudra vidyadhara (Tib. chakchen rigdzin; Wyl. phyag chen rig 'dzin)
4. 任運持明spontaneously accomplished vidyadhara (Tib. lhundrup rigdzin; Wyl. lhun grub rig 'dzin)

Related to the Five Paths

According to Longchenpa:

• the matured vidyadhara is on the paths of accumulation and joining, which are known collectively as the stage of aspiring conduct;
• the vidyadhara with power over life has reached the path of seeing;
• the mahamudra vidyadhara is on the path of meditation and
• the spontaneously accomplished vidyadhara is on the path of no-more-learning.

Khenpo Ngakchung states:

• Those who have the ability to purify the ordinary body with the fire of concentration and transform it into a subtle body acquire the power of immortal life and are called vidyadharas with power over life.
• Those who have not been able to purify their bodies but whose minds have ripened into the deity’s body are known as matured vidyadharas.
• Those who are on the second to the ninth bhumis are mahamudra vidyadharas.
• Then, at the end of the path, at the moment buddhahood is reached, they are spontaneously accomplished vidyadharas.

Further Reading

• Jikmé Lingpa and Patrul Chökyi Wangpo, Deity, Mantra and Wisdom (Ithaca: Snow Lion, 2006), 'B. The Results of the Path Linked with the Four Knowledge Holders', pages 56-67—provides an outline of the way the results of the path, structured around the four stages of approach and accomplishment, are linked with the four vidyadhara levels.
• Tulku Thondup, Enlightened Journey (Boston: Shambhala, 1995), pages 218-221.