Nepal

Nepal was the crucible of Padmasambhava's supreme accomplishments. Before he could bring Vajrayana to Tibet, he had to achieve the highest realizations himself. He did so in the caves of Nepal. At Pharping (Yanglesho), he practiced intensively until he attained the level of Mahamudra Vidyadhara — complete mastery of the nature of mind. His handprint, pressed into solid rock during this accomplishment, remains visible today in the Asura Cave. At Maratika, he and his consort Mandarava practiced the sadhana of Amitayus for three months until Amitayus himself appeared and granted them the siddhi of immortality. This was not merely long life, but transcendence of the ordinary process of death and rebirth. At Muktinath, in the high Mustang region, the 84 Mahasiddhas are said to have practiced, and Padmasambhava blessed the site where fire and water miraculously meet. These caves are not museums. The accomplishment that occurred there remains accessible to practitioners who come with faith.