Commentary 1.5: The means of Restoring the Commitments

[The Nature of Commitments which are to be Guarded (556.4-573.3):]

There are five aspects—verbal definition, classification, beneficial attributes, retributions exacted (for their violation), and their means of restoration.

[v. The fifth is the means of restoring (the commitments):]

Although there is no such method according to the pious attendants, the secret mantras do possess the means capable of restoring (violations).^[1]

It says in the Flash of Splendour (T. 830):

If, when degeneration of commitments has occured.
One understands the importance of pleasing one's venerable lord,
This (degeneration) becomes a source of fulfilment.
If one has abused one's guru and siblings,
And if, pleasing them during this very lifetime.
One is remorseful, with fervent confession,
That (abuse) becomes a supreme mode of fulfilment.
If one passes away from this life
Without having fulfilled (violations of commitments)
Relating to oneself or to one's guru and siblings,
One will transgress the bounds of fulfilment.
If one's pledge of Buddha-speech has been torn to shreds.
Meditate on oneself as Vajradharma,
And recite many hundreds of thousands of times
The pledge which one has lost.
If one's pledge of Buddha-mind has been torn to shreds.
Meditate on oneself as Vajrasattva,
And without speaking for three years.
Be well united in meditative concentration.
If ancillary pledges have been torn to shreds.
They are fulfilled by means of the different
Respective enlightened families (of deities).

So it is that purification occurs when one has practised fulfilment and confession, attempting to apply one's own body, speech and mind to the foremost commitments of Buddha-body, speech and mind, which have been violated and broken. This is the genuine skillful means, surpassing the lower (paths).

According to the code of vows upheld by the pious attendants, it appears that (degenerations) can be restored seven times if not kept secret, but if kept secret they cannot be restored even once, just like a broken clay vase. To Bodhisattvas, (this reparation) resembles a broken vase made of gemstones, because degenerations can be restored by relying on a spiritual benefactor, Just as a craftsman can (use the gemstones) to make a container superior to the previous one. According to the secret mantras, (degeneration) resembles a container of gemstones which has been broken, but can be restored by its own power. It is as if that which has been destroyed is rectified by its own creative energy without the need for a craftsman (mgar-ba mkhas-pa).

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

However, it is stated below, pp. 1214-1216, that violations of vows held by Śrāvakas may be repaired seven times if openly confessed.