VAJRAYANA COMMITMENTS (SAMAYA): GUIDANCE FROM LAMA SONAM TASHI RINPOCHE

Guidance for Those Who Have Received Vajrayana Commitments

The following is guidance given by Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche to those who have received Vajrayana commitments.

Samaya – ས་མ་ཡ། – refers to the sacred commitments and vows that practitioners who have entered the Vajrayana path must preserve in relation to the Guru, Yidam, Dharma, and vajra companions.

Samaya is the essence of the Vajrayana path.

The Five Principal Commitments

1. Commitment to the Guru

• Maintain unwavering confidence and pure devotion towards the Guru;
• Practise according to the Guru’s instructions;
• Do not slander or cause harm to the Guru.

2. Commitment to the Yidam

• Maintain daily mantra practice;
• Maintain the view that the body, speech, and mind of the Yidam are pure.

3. Commitment to Buddha Activity

• Generate vast bodhicitta;
• Cultivate compassion for all sentient beings.

4. Commitment of Secret Mantra

• Preserve the purity of the three secrets;
• Do not reveal the Secret Mantra teachings to those who lack the appropriate conditions;
• Preserve the pure unions.

5. Commitment concerning Mudrā

• Maintain harmony with vajra companions;
• Create harmony within the Vajrayana community.

Preserving the Commitments in Daily Life

Practices to Maintain Regularly

1. Daily Practice

Practise the Dudjom Tersar Ngöndro, the preliminary practices of the Dudjom Tersar lineage.

2. Prayer and Mantra Recitation

• Supplicate the Guru, Yidam, and Dakinis;
• Recite the mantras of the Generation and Completion Stages.

3. Dedication of Merit

Dedicate merit for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Practices to Cultivate

Maintain Pure Perception

Cultivate the recognition that all phenomena are pure.

Speak Truthfully

Do not lie or speak untruthfully.

Benefit Sentient Beings

Skilfully work for the benefit of sentient beings.

Conduct to Abandon

• Speaking about the faults of the Guru and noble beings;
• Revealing Vajrayana secrets;
• Giving rise to anger towards vajra companions;
• Disrespecting samaya substances and offerings.

Essential Points

Samaya is the lifeblood of the Vajrayana path.

When the commitments are preserved purely, accomplishment – siddhi – may be attained. If samaya is allowed to deteriorate, obstacles and negative consequences will certainly arise.

However, when practitioners continually maintain good motivation and emphasise bodhicitta, minor faults may be purified.

Note

The guidance above was given by Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche to those who have received Vajrayana commitments.

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Further Reading

Taking Ngakpa Vows with Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche

Learn about the practice commitments and preparations for those taking Ngakpa vows with Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche.

Who Is a Ngakpa? The Life of a Non-Monastic Vajrayana Practitioner

Learn about the meaning of Ngakpa and the life of a non-monastic Vajrayana practitioner.

Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche: Biography and Lineage

Learn about Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche, Duldun Raptenling Monastery, and his role within the Dudjom Tersar lineage.