Of course the crux of the matter is what vehicle one follows.
One doesn't blindly follow, one does use both kinds of reason--
inference and direct perception. To my knowledge, only Je
Tsongkhapa has the chutzpa to say that "all" scripture (ie. sutra)
is valid on the basis of being an inference. In sutra you do not need
a root lama-- spiritual friend will suffice

Now in vajrayana, you question until you enter formal practice
at which point you cultivate 'unreversible' faith. You take up
to 12 years before making a final commitment. I don't thnk
we date potential lovers that long before marriage! But the pursuit
of Buddhahood is far more important and demaniding.

Don't you think?

Bonnie: It is not necessarily what I believe, it is only what I was taught.... there are indeed many debates and misunderstandings in tibetan buddhism. Wrong or right I dunno but I have often found your perspective very nice and helpful.

Mark: Well I suppose I am going to vajra hell because I was inducted into formal practice everyday for well over a year and then stopped because my guru essentially told me to leave and I followed his command obediently. And I have judged him very harshly in my mind for that lack of care or skill or wisdom or compassion with our very dedicated samaya.

I sincerely ask you geshe Mark what do I do to fix this?
Not this life I don't think can fix! Guru yoga is seemingly permanently heavily defecated in my mind.
I have even reverted back to my old very unenlightened habits like I had never practiced before....... it is even worse now actually because nothing else will grab my devotion like that ever again and I am now very allergic! The precious gold of dharma clenched in my fist has quickly turned into doo-doo in my open hand turned upside down in aversion.
Everything I have loved has literally turned into doo-doo.
I truly understand why most beings in six realms reside in hell realm.