The Tree of Enlightenment

is, of course, important not only in the Vajrayana but also in
the Buddhist tradition as a whole, especially when it comes
to monastic ordination. If you look at the history of monasticism
in Sri Lanka and ailand, you will notice the importance
accorded to it. Because of discontinuation of the lineage
of monastic ordination, special envoys had to be sent from one
eravada country to another on a number of occasions, simply
to renew the lineage.
Lineage is like an electric circuit. When the lineage is broken,
the ordination of new disciples cannot take place. is also
occurred in the monastic history of Tibet when, after the persecution
of Buddhism under King Lan-dar-ma, the lineage
of monastic ordination had to be reestablished with the help
of Chinese monks. us lineage is extremely important. It is
important in the Vajrayana tradition because it is by means
of lineage – the unbroken chain connecting master and disciple
– that the Vajrayana teachings are handed down from one
generation to the next.
e concept of lineage implies the identity of each link in the
chain, each member of the lineage. Consequently, the figure of
the preceptor secures identification between the master, disciple,
and tutelary deity. Later, the disciple him or herself forges this
bond as he or she develops his or her own sense of identification
with the preceptor and then with the tutelary deity. e institution
of the lineage, as it is embodied in the figure of the preceptor,
cuts across time and space. It bridges the gulf that separates
us, here and now, from the time and place and mode of being of
the Buddha. is is why, in Vajrayana initiation and meditation
practice, the preceptor is identified with the tutelary deity, and
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