The 14 root vows of Vajrayana

The fourteen root vows are the primary practice of Vajrayana Buddhism. They give us relief from the urge to control whatever situation in life. We rather connect with the mind of the teacher and leave it to her or him to direct us. He or she has got the knowledge we lack. The vows enable us to receive whatever teachings there might be. This is true for driving or cooking lessons as well as spiritual teachings. To some people they seem strange or extreme but really they describe a method by which we learn in everyday life as well as in spiritual practice. It is said that it is impossible to keep the vows unless one has attained enlightenment. Because of this, the practice is one of continually returning to the vows – and of never giving up on keeping them, even when we make mistakes.

26th of September