Expert: Bodhicitta - 1/17/2009

Question
I took refuge with a Tibetan master in 1995 and although I have a deep faith and find it a great comfort, I have to say that since becoming Buddhist I have had to confront many difficulties including a bone marrow transplant for leukaemia, the ending of three relationships etc.
Before I took refuge some students told me that when you commit to the Vajrayana path - it is the 'fastest' path to enlightenment but also means more is thrown at you in the way of obstacles and difficulties. What's your opinion on this - it seems true for a few students I know but of course it could just be ripening karma.
I'd appreciate your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Janet

Answer
Hi Janet
Thanks for your question and sharing your situation. My understanding
of this question is that it lies in the
somewhat fuzzy but important area of people's hopes and fears and emotional concerning
Tibetan Buddhism.

I can only really give you my opinion here Janet
based on my own experience. It is something you will obviously
have to make your mind about from your experience - as with all things
in Buddhism. But as you appear sincere and open with your situation
I feel I wish to share my own thoughts on this for what they are
worth.

As you probably know there are several levels of "commitment"
within Tibetan Buddhism. These are usually confused, sometimes
deliberately so. But as educated Western practioners I believe we
owe it to ourselves to untangle this vipers nest.

Refuge is a general commitment to becoming
a Buddhist and is not connected to Vajrayana.It is present in all
Buddhist traditions. Empowerment/Initiations
are connected to the Vajrayana path and usually come much later.Some
commitment to Bodhicitta or the heart of awakening - sometimes called
the Bodhisattva vow is usually taken too in Mahayana together with
or usually after refuge in  Tibetan Buddhism. Vajrayana is just an
aspect of Mahayana and is anticipated in the Mahayana sutras.
So we should not separate it.

Vajrayana is normally offered in some schools of Tibetan Budhism after a period of training to a student who has a very close
personal relationship with a Lama  over a number
of years. This proviso is advised for both the safety of
teacher and student before taking on the commitments of Vajrayana.
Indeed many authorities have said that Vajrayana can not happen
without this good preparation. Anything else is a just a show
or a beast by another name.Incidently this is not unique to Buddhism
but this staging exists in many Indian traditions. Tibetan Buddhism
is after all just an Indian tradition in a new country.

Within Tibetan Buddhism there has been
a tendency to present a lot of what looks like Vajrayana ritual at public events
or to relatively new people.If you talk to the best, and most learned
Tibetan Buddhist Lamas they would say that all they are doing here
is  giving blessings to people, to inspire faith and to allow them to
perhaps make deeper connections in the future.This is often done
at festivals, and when famous Lama's visit. It would be equivalent
to the Pope arriving in a new country and giving his blessing!
We must remember that Tibet is a largely illiterate and uneducated
country - and these large public ceremonies form the basis of
what is popular religion there. The inner path of Yogic training
that Westerners are interested in - was only followed by a small
number of people.

Also the evidence would show that so called vajrayana empowerments are  often used by unscrupulous religious organizations to, rush people into committing to something that they do not understand. I think as educated Westerners with a substantial
history now of understanding unscrupulous Guru's and religions
we just shouldn't put up with any of this. If it isn't totally
clear what is going on - then say so or walk away! I am not saying
this applies in your case. I just flag it up as this sort of thing
seems to have created so much pain for Western people approaching
Asian religion.

The real Vajrayana it would seem is a deep seated, secret commitment in the heart to awakening.This is detailed in the great Mahayana sutras as belonging to  the Bodhisattva journey.  It is what all Buddhist's seek. It might never
happen in this lifetime or might only happen after a lot of time.Periods of ten years
and more are mentioned in some of the life stories of great masters
in Tibeten Buddhism.Someone might be fortunate and meet a Guru or
teacher that sparks this very rare inspiration and is able to
give the student instructions to mature this awakening. We should
realize by reading the stories that this is extremely rare. The stories also warn people that they should take many years seeking
such a teacher and testing them and vice-versus. The teacher would then usually
commit a large amount of time to the student, preparing them
and working with them.

Many people experience fear and confusion around Tibetan Buddhism
due to the nature of "Vajrayana", the commitments, the hopes and fears and expectations. My own recommendation to people
is to practice well and understand the essence of Mahayana
Buddhism - the heart of awakening as the essence of all Buddhism
The journey of Buddhism really is in your heart.
If the path leads to awakening, to true the love compassion and wisdom
of your  your heart then you are on the path of Bodhi.We should
have confidence in ourselves. If instead
you are worried by a  Buddhist teaching and you fear it is the cause
of obstacles and difficulties in your life then you really
need to reassess what is going on - maybe return to a more
simple search. Buddhism should instead be a source of insight
in your life.

I am not sure if this has been helpful? But I sincerely wish you well
on your journey Janet, and I wish all your obstacles are seen
conquered by your heart of awakening.

Bodhicitta