There are different categories and different levels of initiation in Buddhism.
There are three erroneous views held by many today concerning tantric initiations: 1) that after you receive a great initiation you no longer need to practice or act out of bodichitta; 2) that you can receive an initiation from a remote location; and 3) that you cannot become accomplished unless you receive an initiation. Although some dharmas, especially the “State Practice dharmas, must be transmitted through an initiation and it is best that you practice under the guidance of a good Master, it is not necessary for your advancement. It is more important that you learn and practice correct cultivation and correct dharma. CLICK for Quote from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III on inner tantric initiation and CLICK for what you need to receive such initiation.
Erroneous View #12: THE VIEW THAT THERE IS NO NEED TO PRACTICE BODHICHITTA AFTER YOU RECEIVE A GREAT INITIATION
Those with this view think, “I practiced a great dharma today. Why should I practice bodhicitta anymore? The dharma I received is so great I will soon become accomplished. I do not need to practice bodhicitta anymore.” This is an erroneous view. If one does not act out of bodhicitta, the results of any great dharma one practices will be like the reflection of the moon on water or flowers in a mirror—seen but not real.
Erroneous View #15: THE VIEW THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO PERFORM AN INITIATION FROM A PLACE FAR AWAY FROM WHERE THE RECIPIENT OF THE INITIATION IS
There have always been such initiations in society. Those who perform them are in fact charlatans. For example, someone in a faraway place mails some money along with his name and address to the tantric practitioner who will perform the initiation. The tantric practitioner will then perform an initiation for that person. That is called a remotely controlled initiation. Those who perform them are complete swindlers. Although they wear the clothes of a Buddhist practitioner, they are just ordinary people who are evil! You must understand that before you can learn a dharma, it must be determined whether you have a suitable spiritual foundation and whether you are a suitable recipient of that dharma. You must undergo very strict observation and testing. An initiation may not be performed for one who has not met the performer of the initiation, who has not undergone tests, and who has not been determined to meet the standards of the dharma. If you accept this concept of a remotely controlled initiation, you are wrong.
Erroneous View #47: THE VIEW THAT YOU CANNOT BECOME ACCOMPLISHED IN THE DHARMA UNLESS YOU RECEIVE AN INITIATION EVEN THOUGH YOU LEARN DHARMA AND CULTIVATE YOURSELF
A person with this view thinks that because he never received an initiation, he will definitely not become accomplished in the dharma even though he learns dharma and cultivates himself. This is a misunderstanding. Even though you have not received an initiation, you can still attain accomplishment and liberation as long as you take refuge, learn true Buddha-dharma, and cultivate yourself in accordance with the dharma. It can only be said that it would be best if you had the guidance of a good master. That will make it less likely for you to fall into evil and erroneous views. However, an initiation is not absolutely required. Cultivation and learning dharma are what is important. Learning dharma and cultivating yourself is the key. Receiving an initiation is not necessarily most important. Of course, some dharmas can only be transmitted through an initiation, especially the “state practice” dharma. If you do not receive an initiation, this does not necessarily mean that you cannot become accomplished. As long as you cultivate yourself according to the dharma, you can become accomplished. The Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation is the best dharma and cultivation method.
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