Stepping onto the Vajrayāna path brings a powerful promise: swift transformation, but it also calls for rock-solid samaya, those vows that keep the entire practice from unraveling. Think of samaya as the invisible stitches holding a finely woven tapestry together—ignore them, and the pattern falls apart.

• Unwavering Devotion to the Guru
– Treat the teacher as the embodiment of all Buddhas. Recent teachings from the Dalai Lama highlight how modern technology—online empowerments, Zoom guru-yoga sessions—still demands that heartfelt respect and gratitude. Gossip or disrespect? That’s like tossing a match into dry tinder.

• Preservation of the Secret Mantras
– Mantras, mudras and visualizations carry deep power, meant only for those who’ve been given permission. Sharing them casually is akin to giving directions to a treasure vault—best kept under lock and key.

• Pure View, Speech and Action
– Every thought, word and deed should reflect bodhicitta, the wish to benefit all beings. In today’s viral-tweet era, keeping speech in line with compassion is more challenging—and more vital—than ever.

• Daily Practice and Mandala Offerings
– Whether circling a physical mandala or visualizing one on a meditation app, consistency cements samaya. Skipping sessions is like leaving an expensive car in the driveway without a garage—it leaves the heart exposed.

• Guarding the Vajra Community
– Maintaining harmony among fellow practitioners mirrors the solidarity seen in global climate protests or large-scale yoga festivals. Criticism or blame corrodes that sense of unity.

• Honoring Ethical Boundaries
– Sexual misconduct, dishonesty or exploiting tantric rites for personal gain breaks samaya at its core. Imagine a bridge with missing planks—crossing it becomes perilous.

Upheld faithfully, these commitments aren’t dry rules but living currents that charge each ritual, mantra and meditation with transformative energy. Ignore them, and the whole engine of esoteric practice sputters. Stick to samaya, and that engine roars.