Fourteen root downfalls

Fourteen root downfalls (Tib. རྩ་ལྟུང་བཅུ་བཞི་, tsa tung chu shyi, Wyl. rtsa ltung bcu bzhi) — fourteen major samayas in the Sarma tradition.

There are two variations of the root tantric vows, one specific to the Kalachakra Tantra and one common to all Highest Yoga Tantras. The latter is presented here:

1. disrespecting the vajra master
2. transgressing the words of the buddhas
3. insulting one’s vajra brothers and sisters
4. abandoning love for sentient beings
5. abandoning the bodhichitta in aspiration or application
6. criticizing the teachings of the sutras and tantras
7. revealing secrets to those who are unworthy
8. mistreating one’s body
9. abandoning emptiness
10. keeping bad company
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

Sources

Indian Shatras

• Ashvaghosha, The Principle Downfalls of Vajrayana (Skt. Vajrayana-mula-patta-samagriya; Tib. dorje tekpe tsangwe dupa), Toh 2478
  • English translation: Adam Pearcey Root Downfalls of the Vajra Vehicle

Sarma Commentaries

• Khedrub Norzang Gyatso, A Lamp to Illuminate the Closely Bonding Practices (Wyl. Dam-tshig gsal-ba'i sgron-me)
• Tsongkhapa, An Explanation of Secret Mantra Ethical Discipline: A Cluster of Fruit of Actual Attainments (Wyl. gSang-sngags-kyi tshul-khrims-kyi rnam-bshad dngos-grub-kyi snye-ma)

Nyingma Commentaries

• Longchen Yeshe Dorje, Kangyur Rinpoche and Jigme Lingpa, Treasury of Precious Qualities: Book Two (Boston & London: Shambhala, 2013), 'An explanation of the fourteen root downfalls', pages 183-190.
• Ngari Panchen, Perfect Conduct: The Absolute Certainty of the Three Vows with commentary by Dudjom Rinpoche (Boston: Wisdom, 1996), pages 117-122.

Oral Teachings Given to the Rigpa Sangha

• Khandro Rinpoche, Rigpa London Centre, UK, 12 June 2018
• Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 15 August 2018
• Khenpo Sonam Tsewang, Prajna online, 6 May 2024

External Links

• Oral teaching by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche on 'The 14 Root Samayas of Vajrayana'
• Common Root Tantric Vows by Alex Berzin