Fourteen root downfalls

Fourteen root downfalls (T. rtsa ltung bcu bzhi རྩ་ལྟུང་བཅུ་བཞི་). A set of samaya vows in the Sarma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

There are two variations of the root tantric vows, one specific to the Kalachakra Tantra and one common to all Highest Yoga Tantras.

According to the Highest Yoga Tantra tradition, the fourteen downfalls are:

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

Commentaries

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, Lotsawa House

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.

External links

• Fourteen root downfalls, Rigpa Shedra Wiki
• Oral teaching by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche on 'The 14 Root Samayas of Vajrayana'
• Common Root Tantric Vows by Alex Berzin