In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Vajrayana

Medhini is the name of a mahāsiddha, of which eighty-four in total are recognized in Vajrayāna (tantric buddhism). His title is “the tired farmer”. He lived somewhere between the 8th and the 12th century AD.

These mahāsiddhas (e.g., Medhini) are defined according to the Abhayadatta Sri (possibly Abhayākaragupta) tradition. Its textual origin traces to the 11th century caturāsiti-siddha-pravṛtti, or “the lives of the eighty-four siddhas”, of which only Tibetan translations remains. Medhini (and other Mahāsiddhas) are the ancient propounders of the textual tradition of tantric or Vajrayana Buddhism.

context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

India history and geography

Source: Wisdom Library: Teachers, Saints and Sages

Medhini (मेधिनि) is another name for Medinīpā: one of the eighty-four Siddhas (Siddhācāryas) of the Sahajayāna school, according to sources such as the Varṇaratnākara of Jyotirīśvara (i.e., the Varna-Ratnakara by Jyotirishwar Thakur).—The Sahaja-Yana is a philosophical and esoteric movement of Tantric Buddhism which had enormous influence in the Indian subcontinent and the Himalayas.—Many of these Mahāsiddhas [e.g., Medhini] were historical figures whose lives and mystical powers were the subject of legends. They are often associated with teachings belonging to Hinduism, Buddhism, Ajivikism and Jainism such as the Nath Tradition.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Starts with: Medhinipa, Medhinipada, Metini, Metinipataitton.

Full-text: Grihamedhini, Medhinipa, Medhinipada, Metini, Metinipataitton, Eighty-four siddhas, Medinipa.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Medhini, Medhinī; (plurals include: Medhinis, Medhinīs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Glories of India (Culture and Civilization) (by Prasanna Kumar Acharya)

Sacraments in ancient India < [Chapter 1 - Family life of Sacraments and Sacrifices]

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