Devotion to the Lama

"The idea in Vajrayana is that devotion to the Lama is the fulfilment of all the other vows because the Lama only lives to benefit beings and one could not ever do better than to carry out the Lama’s plans. That would be the best fulfilment of the bodhisattva vow as well. If one is still in the stage of thinking that one’s own interpretation of the vows is more valid than that of the Lama, this is not yet vajra relationship. "

Vajra Command, Ngakma Shardröl, Aro Encyclopaedia

Vajra Relationship

"If you prioritise your own concept of kindness, then you are not in vajra relationship. But even within vajra relationship it is acceptable to ask questions and to expect that the answers will be in conformity with the principles of dharma. This is a bit tricky because now it sounds as if I am saying that you get to judge whether or not what you are asked to do accords to the principles of dharma, which is not exactly what I mean. The thing is, there is no perfect solution to this problem except to be careful whom you choose as your vajra master. Within the practice of vajra relationship there is no room for doubting the vajra master."

Vajra Command, Ngakma Shardröl, Aro Encyclopaedia

Devotion to the Lama

"The idea in Vajrayana is that devotion to the Lama is the fulfilment of all the other vows because the Lama only lives to benefit beings and one could not ever do better than to carry out the Lama’s plans. That would be the best fulfilment of the bodhisattva vow as well. If one is still in the stage of thinking that one’s own interpretation of the vows is more valid than that of the Lama, this is not yet vajra relationship."

Vajra Command, Ngakma Shardröl, Aro Encyclopaedia

Vajra commitment

"Vajra commitment is an obvious immediate consequence of the vows if you view it in the context of ‘harmonising with Reality’ rather than ‘obeying orders’. It is a matter of view rather than mechanically doing what one is told. If one views the Lama as a Buddha, i.e. a fully enlightened being, then what the Lama says and does is nothing other than a direct manifestation of Reality."

Vajra Command, Ngakma Shardröl, Aro Encyclopaedia

Buddhism is very pragmatic

"Buddhism is actually very pragmatic. Buddhism is not an imposition on reality. It’s not a constructed philosophy that forces human beings to proceed according to rigid directives that take no account of the diversity of experience."
Dzogchen, Ngak’chang Rinpoche, Aro Encyclopaedia

A living manifestation of Dharma

"The Lama is a living manifestation of pure dharma and what we do is to try and harmonise with that as much as our neuroses will allow. "

Vajra Command, Ngakma Shardröl, Aro Encyclopaedia