The sexual dimension of being

Tantrikas remain always in ecstatic embrace with the khandro or pawo.  Tantrikas refrain from subverting the sexual dimension of their being in the attempt to avoid authentic relationship with the khandro or pawo.  They avoid obfuscating the inner pawo or inner khandro by objectifying women or men according to sexually distorted or degraded stereotypes.

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

Sexual embrace

Male and female qualities of existence are the play of reality itself.  They continually interpenetrate and inter-engulf each other as non-dual dance.  The tantric vision of reality is one in which sexuality is the meaning of every nuance of existence.  To see the colour of a bird’s plumage is to be in sexual embrace.  Listening to the bowed strings of a cello is to be in sexual embrace.  Inhaling the saline scent of sea air; savouring the taste of a heavily tannic wine; caressing the intriguing surface texture of a weathered stone; contemplating the delicate elaborations of a cognitive pattern; all these sensory communications are sexual embrace.  They are self-communicated communication – and they are continuously arising from and dissolving into emptiness.

p101, Entering the Heart of the Sun and Moon  Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen,  Aro Books, 2009, ISBN 978-0-9653948-3-3
 

Non-celibacy is a more demanding path

One needs to approach sexuality with respect, kindness, and openness.  One needs to understand that the alternative to celibacy in Buddhism is not merely selfish indulgence of one’s desire at the expense of others.  One can ‘dress’ sexual misconduct in the clothing of freedom and lack of moralistic inhibitions, but it remains an obstacle to practice nonetheless.
This is an important statement in view of the high regard shown to celibate practitioners in terms of their discipline.  It could be something of a shock to some to realise that non-celibacy is a more demanding path, and that its discipline is vast and subtle.  It should be accurately understood, that ordination into the gö kar chang lo’i dé (gos dKar lCang lo’i sDe) is not chosen as an ‘easier option’ than celibacy.  The monastic path is simpler and easier to follow.  It is completely structured and designed to support the individual, whereas the structure of Vajrayana embraces endless nuances of reality as the play of precision and passion.

Aro Encyclopaedia Index: Tralam-mé: founding relationships on Vajrayana principles by Ngak’chang Rinpoche & Khandro Déchen