Padmakara and the Four Vidyadhara Levels
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Padmakara and the Four Vidyadhara Levels
The Second Buddha, Padmasambhava, should be linked to how the four vidyadhara levels of the path are attained.
That is to say, he was born in the Milky Lake in the south-western direction and became the adopted son of the king of Uddiyana. After renouncing the kingdom, he practiced in the eight charnel grounds headed by Cool Grove (Sitavana) and at that time manifested the vidyadhara level of Full Maturation.
Although he was burned alive by the king of Sahor, he was unharmed and, transforming the mass of fire into a lake, he established the kingdom in the Dharma. Doing life-sadhana in Maratika Cave with Mandarava, his consort for the path of longevity, he received the empowerment of immortality from Amitayus and at that time manifested the vidyadhara level of Life Mastery. The levels of Full Maturation and Life Mastery both belong to the path of seeing.
When practicing the Vishuddha Essence of Great Bliss together with the Nepalese Shakya Devi at Yangleshö in Nepal, he manifested the vidyadhara level of Mahamudra which belongs to the path of cultivation. When invited by the Tibetan king, he resided in the manner of a mahamudra vidyadhara on the path of cultivation.
Finally, when he departed for the land of rakshasas and resided as the chief of the gathering of vidyadharas, dakas and dakinis in the Palace of Lotus Light, he manifested as abiding on the level of the Regent of Vajradhara, the vidyadhara level of Spontaneous Presence of the path of consummation where his realization equals the Lords of the Three Families. This is the oral tradition according to the teachings of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo.
From the Notes of Jamgon Kongtrul's Commentary on Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo by Khenpo Jokyab Rinpoche. Appeared in Light of Wisdom, Volume I.