Depriving others as little as possible

Tantrikas refrain from stealing opportunities for realisation and squandering the proceeds on the creation of less obvious dualities. Tantrikas are aware that they cannot extricate themselves from involvement in exploitation, social injustice, oppression, and theft. They recognise the impossibility of disconnection from causes of loss, impoverishment, and deprivation for other beings. Through this knowledge they commit to depriving others as little as possible through their presence in the world.  They recognise that simply to live is to have gained personal advantage through the disadvantage of countless others.

Aro Encyclopaedia Index: From the commentaries by Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen on the ’ug-Kyi Lab-Nga – the five Owl Precepts from the gTérmas of Khyungchen Aro Lingma.

#dralajongquote

Drala Jong

Whatever we eat, drink, or wear

Tantrikas attempt to commit themselves to experiencing bodhicitta at every opportunity, in order to create connections with whatever they eat, drink, or wear.  They commit themselves to a non-aggressive way of life. Whether their style of taking sustenance is carnivorous, vegetarian, vegan, or fruitarian; they commit themselves to refraining from aggression by way of act, word, or attitude to those who derive sustenance according to contrasting considerations.  Each style of deriving nourishment is linked with a form of expressing chang-chub sem (byang chub sems – bodhicitta) active-compassion according to the different vehicles, and so they commit themselves to adopting whatever style accords with the integrity of their perception as tantrikas.

Aro Encyclopaedia Index: From the commentaries by Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen on the ’ug-Kyi Lab-Nga – the five Owl Precepts from the gTérmas of Khyungchen Aro Lingma.

#dralajongquote

Drala Jong

It is impossible to disconnect from killing

Tantrikas refrain from killing the efflorescence of rigpa as it sparkles through the fabric of duality. Tantrikas realise that to refrain from killing the efflorescence of their enlightened nature is simultaneously possible and impossible. It is possible, because they are enlightened from beginninglessness; but it is impossible because they may lack confidence in the non-dual state. Because of this ambivalence, they develop confidence in the non-dual state through sustaining awareness of the pain caused by killing in all its manifestations. Their understanding of this is always present.

Aro Encyclopaedia Index: From the commentaries by Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen on the ’ug-Kyi Lab-Nga – the five Owl Precepts from the gTérmas of Khyungchen Aro Lingma.

#dralajongquote

Drala Jong

Being natural

Being natural is not ‘natural’ to those committed to the illusion of duality, and therefore some encouragement is needed in terms of inspiring tantrikas to enter into the felt meaning of the view.  The Owl Precepts exist therefore, as five aspects of essential life-advice which are applied by the tantrika in terms of mere indication. This method exists in terms of guidelines which undermine the complex contrivances of attempting to maintain dualism.  They are invaluable teaching in terms of evolution on the spiritual path.

Aro Encyclopaedia Index: From the commentaries by Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen on the ’ug-Kyi Lab-Nga – the five Owl Precepts from the gTérmas of Khyungchen Aro Lingma.

#dralajongquote

Drala Jong

How we feel

If you allow yourself to get caught up in the idea that your pain has been caused by somebody else, you may feel you have to throw a tantrum.  People get into some terrible difficulties over this, and act in ways that only make their situation worse.  Rejecting responsibility for feeling as we do spawns jealousy, bitterness, resentment, recrimination and vengefulness.  Rejecting responsibility for how we feel has never created the causes for pleasure, enjoyment or emotional fulfilment. 

p91, Spectrum of Ecstasy, Ngakpa Chögyam with Khandro Déchen, Aro Books, 1997, ISBN 0-9653948-0-8