Vows

There are various types of actions that indicate the practical application of refuge in our daily lives and what we actually need to do in order to maintain that direction.

A downfall from the tantric vows requires transgressing one of the fourteen root vows with the four binding factors being complete. Several factors may cause us to transgress our vows.

The Tibetan word “damtsig,” “samaya” in Sanskrit, means “close bond.” It refers to practices that create a close bond between us and a Buddha-figure or our spiritual teacher.

To differentiate the common tantric vows from the Kalachakra root tantric vows, we follow here the explanation given in “An Explanation of Secret Mantra Ethical Discipline: A Cluster of Fruit of Actual Attainments” by Tsongkhapa.

Examine the various aspects of the five Buddha-family traits (factors of Buddha-nature) in anuttarayoga tantra and their representations in terms of the five aggregates.