Once one has entered the path of the Buddha’s teachings, one should learn how to practice correctly, or else dharma practice can become a fault. Gampopa said, “If you do not practise the Dharma according to the Dharma, the Dharma itself becomes the cause of falling into the lower realms.” Some who practise the Dharma nevertheless fall into the lower realms. Therefore, it is very important that we understand how to actually engage in practice, to know the essence of the teachings, the application methods, and the desired results. Only then will one’s dharma path be unerring.

-- Garchen Rinpoche