Summary of the Root Downfalls of the Vajra Vehicle
This version of Aśvaghoṣa’s text outlining the fourteen root downfalls of the Vajrayāna differs from the version in the Tengyur; in addition to some minor variations, it contains additional lines to facilitate the confession of all fourteen forms of transgression.
<poem> by Aśvaghoṣa
In the language of India: Vajrayānamūlāpattisaṅgraha In the language of Tibet: rdo rje theg pa rtsa ba'i ltung ba bsdus pa
Homage to the great Compassionate One!
At the lotus-feet of all the buddhas And the gurus I bow down. Here I shall explain the fourteen root downfalls As they are taught in the tantras.
The Vajradhara said that accomplishments Come from following the teacher, So to disparage him or her Is explained as the first root downfall.
To transgress the words of the sugatas Is taught to be the second downfall.
Out of anger, to speak ill Of one's vajra siblings is the third.
To abandon love for sentient beings Is the fourth, the victorious ones say.
The root of Dharma is bodhicitta — To abandon which is the fifth.
To disparage the tenets Of one's own or others' traditions is the sixth.
To disclose secrets to beings Who are not fully matured is the seventh.
To abuse the psycho-physical aggregates, Which are by nature the five buddhas, is the eighth.
To have doubts about the natural purity Of all phenomena is the ninth.
To show only affection to the wicked Is said to be the tenth.
To conceptualize phenomena, Which are not non-existent and so on, is the eleventh.
To cause those beings who have faith To grow disillusioned is the twelfth.
Not to rely upon the commitments As they have been taken is the thirteenth.
To disparage women, who are by nature wisdom, Is the fourteenth.
The mantra practitioner who avoids all these [downfalls] Will fully attain accomplishment. Otherwise, should you fail to keep your commitments You will be caught by the demon of downfall, And will thus experience suffering, Brought down, you will descend to the hells.
Subjugate pride, therefore, And know yourself to be unconfused. With whatever you can afford, Make offerings to the guru in the Sage's presence. Begin by taking refuge in the Three [Jewels], And, as a mantra practitioner, Should you wish to benefit yourself, apply effort And uphold the bodhisattva vows and the rest.
This concludes Summary of the Root Downfalls of the Vajra Vehicle composed by the great ācārya Aśvaghoṣa.
| Translated by Adam Pearcey, 2018.
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Source
http://www.lotsawahouse.org/indian-masters/ashvaghosha/root-downfalls
