I am afraid that I have to agree with gregkavarnos.gregkavarnos wrote:Two words to mull over: denial and rationalisation.
Unfortunately, it is something I have seen again and again in Vajrayana and Dzogchen circles.
Serious addiction with alcohol or/and drugs!!!!
Some people accept their addiction and this is the first step towards their freedom, and some they deny it and pretend that they have high capacity as true "Dzogchenpas" or "Tantrikas"....
From what I have heard from friends, the best way is to follow a therapy group like A.A. (the 12 steps of Anonymous Alcoholics). There is also a similar group for people who have addiction with drugs. And the same time to dedicate yourself in some practices!
This thread is not only for padma norbu, who was honest enough and had the courage to share with us his problem.
It can be useful for all vajra brothers and sisters who have similar afflictions.
Dzogchen - since is the highest vehicle - is meant for people who are mature and can take total responsibility of their life. There is no reason people to ask so often Rinpoche for advices that any sensible man or woman can decide by him/herself.
I am afraid this is a sign of immaturity, which is accompanied by the wish somebody else to be responsible for them.
Moreover, for repairing samaya there is the 100 syllables mantra of Vajrasattva. This is the reason we are always using it during Ganapuja.
For clearing our tendencies, there is the Purification of 6 Lokas.
Vajra Hell is well-known in all Buddhist traditions of Tibet.
It is said that "Vajrayana is a very quick vehicle towards enlightenment, but also a very dangerous one for people without awareness".
That was the reason the transmissions were kept secret, and some special transmissions are remain so until today.
So, Vajra Hell is not the common hell where beings are going because of strong hatred.
It is what Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche is saying in his books, and you can find a little excerpt of this in the thread "Rebirth as a Rudra".
The 5 precepts, the samaya and the causes for going to Vajra Hell are very different things. Please, do not put them all in the same sack!
5 precepts:
1. Not taking life.
2. Not taking what is not given.
3. Abstain from sexual misconduct.
4. Abstain from false speech.
5. Abstain from fermented drink that causes heedlessness.
Fourteen root downfalls or breaks of samaya:
1. Physically harming or slandering the teacher from whom one received the abhiṣeka.
2. Opposing the words of the buddhas.
3. Strong negative emotions towards one’s vajra brothers and sisters.
4. Abandoning loving kindness and compassion for sentient beings.
5. Abandoning the bodhichitta in aspiration or application.
6. Criticizing other Buddhist traditions.
7. Revealing secrets to those who are unworthy.
8. Mistreating one’s body.
9. Abandoning emptiness.
10. Keeping bad company: Associating with samaya corrupters.
11. Failing to reflect on emptiness.
12. Upsetting those who have faith in the teachings.
13. Failing to observe the samaya commitments.
14. Denigrating women.
I think that alcoholism and drugs are fitting to the break of the 8th and 10th samayas.