Vidyadhara (Buddhism)

Vidyadhara (Sanskrit: Vidyadhara; meaning 'Knowledge-holder','Awareness-Holder') is the word in Buddhist literature for a person having the great knowledge (vidya) of mantras and samatha. A realized master on one of the four stages on the tantric path of Mahayoga.

Four levels of a vidyadhara which are specific to the Dzogchen or Nyingma tradition:

1. matured vidyadhara
2. vidyadhara with power over life
3. mahamudra vidyadhara
4. spontaneously accomplished vidyadhara