Diety worship in vajrayana?

Hi folks,

Do you think that without at least some understanding of emptiness, it would be easy for people to fall into some sort of diety-worship in TB? That seems like it would be very unfortunate.

Just a thought I had-any input is appreciated.

:meditate:

First, I have to say that I am not "that" far along the road yet, so I cannot speak from direct experience on those practices. From some reading and a few talks (that didn't go into much detail of course), I (think I...) have a little bit of an understanding though.
It would be unfortunate, to say the least , but isn't it a responsibility of a good and wise teacher to ensure that the student is first ready and then has a proper understanding of the practices? Some would know this answer much better than I. But then again, Drolma that wasn't really your question was it!
So I'd say to the wrong person with an ignorant view it could seem that way. The more experienced could probably answer better than I on this one...

To answer Drolma, if one doesn't have the correct understanding of emptiness, then deity practices will not be appropriate. It will be misunderstood to become something which Christians think: that we are praying to external gods and goddesses which have power over us, and that these god and goddesses will punish us for whatever wrongdoings we do.

And I agree, Malalu, that it's the responsibility of a good and wise teacher to ensure the student is ready. It is, however a greater responsibility for the student to ensure the teacher is good and wise and suitable for him.