WHO WAS KĀNHA-PĀ? VAJRAYANA MAHASIDDHA, NATH YOGI OR KAPALIKA?
Kanhapa (or Krsnacarya ), the 'Dark-Skinned One' (or the ' Dark Siddha ') is one of 84 Mahasiddhas of Tibbeten Buddhism . He is also known as Kṛṣnapada, Kanhupada, Kanha-pa, Kanha, Acharya Charyapa, Kaniphanath, Kanari-nath, Kanupa,kanipa ...&more. Along with that Kanhupada is considered as influential Yogi in the Hindu tradition of Nath Yogis ( Sàiva ) also. Both Hindu &Buddhist tradition have their own 84 list of siddhas out of which many siddhas are common.Sahajanyana tradition of Bengal also includes him as masters. Today we will Closely examine mystery surrounding kanhupada & 'kapalik' angle in it. According to Buddhist tantric Lore,kanhpa was initiated into the mandala of the deity Hevajra by his guru Jalandhara. Guru Jalandhar was also listed in Nathyoga tradition as a guru of kanhupada . Jalandhar was also known as hallikapada & hadipa . According to CharyaacharyaNishchaya or Charypada (Collection of poetry co...