Master Padma said: Taking refuge and keeping vows are the roots of Dharma practice.
asked Princess Tsogyal: At what point does the vow of refuge and other vows arise within oneself??
The guru said: The vow of refuge arises the moment you feel fear of the lower realms and have faith in the Three Jewels.
A layman's vow arises the moment he believes in the law of cause and effect of actions.
The vow of a novice arises at the moment when your mind wants to separate from birth and death.
The vow of a bhikkhu arises at the moment when your mind wants to stay away from all evil deeds.
The Bodhisattva vow of aspiration arises at the moment of compassion, I see myself as equal to others.
The vow of applied Bodhicitta arises the moment you see others as more important than yourself.
When in any practice, I have refuge and Bodhi mind, and has merged the two stages of development and achievement, means and intelligence, then your Dharma becomes the true path.
When you combine the path with the view, meditate, virtue and fruit, then your path illuminates confusion.
When you devote yourself to practice, you have fully confirmed your view and meditation, Then your confusion can manifest as brightly as wisdom.
No matter what, no matter what Dharma you are practicing, if the development and achievement stages cannot be merged, view and conduct, means and intelligence, is like trying to walk with just one leg.
