Samaya

The samaya (Tibetan: Tibetan: དམ་ཚིག, Wylie: dam tshig, Japanese and Chinese: 三昧耶戒, sanmaya-kai, Sānmóyéjiè), is a set of vows or precepts given to initiates of an esoteric Vajrayana Buddhist order as part of the abhiṣeka (empowerment or initiation) ceremony that creates a bond between the guru and disciple.

According Keown, et al., Samaya may be defined as:

• A particular system of teaching or doctrines;
• The conduct required of a tantric practitioner, often as a set of vows or commitments;
• The realization (abhisamaya) of Buddhahood;
• In Tantric Buddhism, union with the Three Vajras, the body, speech and mind of the Buddha.