TAKING NGAKPA VOWS WITH LAMA SONAM TASHI RINPOCHE IN THE DUDJOM TERSAR LINEAGE

Taking Ngakpa Vows with Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche

Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche is the abbot of Duldun Raptenling Monastery, founded in India in 1959 by His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, the second Dudjom Rinpoche.

He is a Lama of the Dudjom Tersar lineage, and his principal practice is Troma Nagmo. He teaches and transmits Dudjom Tersar practices within the scope of the authority entrusted to him by the lineage.

For those who take Ngakpa vows with Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche, the vows are not merely participation in a ceremony or the receiving of religious attire.

The practitioner must be prepared to maintain daily practice, preserve samaya, respect the teacher and lineage, maintain harmony with vajra companions, and support Dharma activities.

Principal Commitments after Taking the Vows

Maintain Daily Practice

Those who have taken the vows should remember the Dharma every day and devote at least some time to practice.

Depending on the instructions they have received, their daily practice may include:

Dudjom Tersar Ngöndro;
Troma Nagmo Ngöndro;
Supplication to the teacher;
Mantra recitation;
A sādhana or practice instructed by the teacher;
Dedication of merit for the benefit of all sentient beings.

The practice schedule may be adapted to family and professional responsibilities, but it should be maintained consistently.

A short practice performed sincerely each day is more valuable than practising intensely for a few days and then neglecting the practice for a long period.

Make an Effort to Attend the Regular Pujas

Those who have taken the vows are instructed to make an effort to attend pujas on:

The tenth day of the Tibetan lunar calendar, associated with the Guru;
The twenty-fifth day of the Tibetan lunar calendar, associated with the Dakinis.

Group practice helps practitioners maintain their connection with the teacher, the lineage, and fellow practitioners.

When genuine circumstances prevent someone from attending in person, the practitioner should still remember the practice day and maintain an appropriate practice session wherever they are.

Maintain Pure Perception

Those who have taken the vows should maintain respect and pure perception towards:

The Lama;
The lineage;
The Dharma;
Vajra companions;
The practice community.

They should not speak with contempt, cultivate harmful intentions, or deliberately cause harm to the teacher or fellow practitioners.

When questions or disagreements arise, practitioners should communicate sincerely, seek appropriate guidance, and avoid allowing anger to control their speech and actions.

Pure perception does not mean denying difficulties or refusing to ask questions. It means approaching difficulties without malice, harmful speech, or the intention to create division.

Preserve Harmony among Vajra Companions

Those who receive teachings and vows from the same teacher share a responsibility to preserve harmony within the practice community.

Practitioners should avoid:

Speech that creates division;
Slandering or insulting fellow practitioners;
Speaking maliciously behind another person’s back;
Using social media to attack others over personal disagreements;
Circulating unverified information;
Actions that damage shared Dharma activities.

When difficulties arise, those involved should try to resolve them through dialogue, mutual respect, mindfulness, and a shared commitment to preserving the Dharma.

Harmony does not mean that everyone must always agree. It means handling disagreement without hatred, humiliation, or deliberate harm.

Respect and Support Dharma Activities

According to the guidance of Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche, those who take Ngakpa vows should respect the activities of Dudjom Troma Hanoi and actively support Dharma activities according to their abilities and circumstances.

Such support may include:

Attending group practices and pujas;
Assisting with the organisation of Dharma programmes;
Helping prepare the shrine room or practice space;
Supporting the teacher and visiting practitioners;
Helping fellow practitioners when needed;
Contributing through translation, communications, administration, or professional skills;
Sharing accurate information from official channels;
Helping maintain harmony within the community;
Supporting the continuity and development of lineage activities.

Dharma service is not limited to financial contributions.

Each person may contribute through time, effort, knowledge, skills, or other forms of support suited to their circumstances.

Such service should arise from bodhicitta, gratitude towards the teacher, and the wish to preserve the Dharma. It should not be used as a means of seeking recognition, status, influence, or personal reputation.

Do Not Smoke or Use Addictive Substances

Those wishing to take Ngakpa vows with Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche are required to commit to:

Not smoking;
Not using addictive substances;
Not maintaining habits that diminish awareness;
Not allowing addictive substances to obstruct practice or the preservation of vows.

Those who are not yet able to maintain this commitment should consider carefully before taking the vows.

It is better to acknowledge honestly that one is not yet ready than to make a commitment that one already knows one cannot maintain.

Preserving Vajrayana Samaya

Those who take Ngakpa vows are responsible for preserving samaya, the sacred commitments of Vajrayana.

According to Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche’s guidance, practitioners should pay particular attention to their commitments concerning:

The Guru;
The Yidam;
Buddha activity and bodhicitta;
Secret Mantra;
Mudrā and vajra companions.

In daily life, practitioners should:

Maintain their practice;
Supplicate the Guru, Yidam, and Dakinis;
Recite the mantras and practices they have received;
Dedicate merit for the benefit of all sentient beings;
Maintain pure perception;
Speak truthfully;
Work skilfully for the benefit of others.

They should avoid:

Speaking about the faults of the teacher and noble beings;
Revealing restricted Vajrayana teachings to those who have not received the necessary transmission;
Cultivating anger towards vajra companions;
Treating samaya substances and offerings disrespectfully.

The full guidance is presented in the following article:

Ngakpa Vows and Samaya: Guidance from Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche

/en/vajrayana-teachings/ngakpa-vows-and-samaya

Preparations before Taking the Vows

Complete 1,000 Recitations of the Seven-Line Prayer

Before taking the vows, each participant must complete 1,000 recitations of the Seven-Line Prayer.

The prayer should be recited with devotion to Guru Rinpoche, confidence in the lineage, and a sincere aspiration to receive its blessings.

Those intending to take the vows should begin this preparation early rather than waiting until shortly before the ceremony merely to complete the required number.

The number of recitations is an important requirement, but the sincerity and motivation with which the prayer is recited are equally important.

Prepare the Complete Ngakpa Attire

Those taking the vows must prepare the complete Ngakpa attire according to the official guidance they receive.

The design, colours, components, and manner of wearing the attire should not be altered independently.

All details should follow the instructions given specifically to those taking vows with Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche.

The attire should be prepared and used respectfully. It represents the practitioner’s connection with the teacher, lineage, vows, and responsibilities of practice.

It should not be treated as a costume, a form of personal branding, or a symbol of spiritual status.

A Note on the Troma Nagmo Practice

It is important to distinguish between:

Taking Ngakpa vows;
Receiving an empowerment;
Receiving an oral transmission;
Receiving practice instructions.

These are different forms of transmission and should not be treated as interchangeable.

Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche is authorised to bestow other empowerments within the scope of his lineage permissions.

However, for Troma Nagmo, he gives the oral transmission, or lung, rather than the Troma Nagmo empowerment.

Taking Ngakpa vows with him should therefore not be understood as receiving the Troma Nagmo empowerment.

Practitioners should listen carefully to the explanation of each transmission and understand what practice, permission, and responsibility they are receiving.

Before Making the Commitment

Those considering the vows should reflect honestly on whether:

They can maintain a daily practice;
They are prepared to preserve harmony with fellow practitioners;
They can make an effort to attend the Guru and Dakini pujas;
They can support Dharma activities according to their abilities;
They are ready to give up smoking and addictive substances;
They understand and are prepared to preserve samaya;
They can complete the required preparations;
Their motivation comes from sincere practice rather than attraction to a title or religious attire.

Taking the vows marks the beginning of a long-term commitment.

What matters is not the ceremony or external appearance, but whether the practitioner genuinely maintains the vows in daily life.

Conclusion

Taking Ngakpa vows with Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche is a serious commitment to practise within the Dudjom Tersar lineage.

Those who take the vows are expected to maintain daily practice, preserve samaya, respect the teacher and lineage, maintain harmony with vajra companions, and support Dharma activities according to their abilities.

They must also complete the required preparation, follow the guidance regarding Ngakpa attire, and commit to refraining from smoking and addictive substances.

The meaning of the vows is not found merely in the ceremony, title, or attire. It is expressed through the way practitioners maintain the Dharma in their thoughts, speech, actions, relationships, and everyday responsibilities.

Note

The guidance above presents the requirements and instructions given to those taking Ngakpa vows with Lama Sonam Tashi Rinpoche. The vows, attire, and procedures followed by other teachers or lineages may not be identical.

Dudjom Tersar Linage

TAKING NGAKPA VOWS WITH LAMA SONAM TASHI RINPOCHE IN THE DUDJOM TERSAR LINEAGE