Fruven,
As for your ABC comment, I wrote: "Then, just as when you sow an apple seed and pear seed together the trees will grow and bare fruit together, so, having received initiation people can train in Sutra and Tantra together." If that doesn't make sense, my meaning is that people will build the ABC's while they also sow seeds for tantric realization. Also, I did not tell anyone not to do preliminaries or suggest they aren't important nor have I decided anything for anyone or sent them to Vajra Hell. I have merely explained the current circumstances of Vajrayana initiation and instructions within the international Buddhist community which has been mentioned by various Vajra Masters in general and to me directly, so it doesn't matter who I am.
Also, if you look at the situation carefully, it is quite clear that the sealed-in-secrecy commands made by the Dakinis and Lamas during a certain era have been lifted. There are many examples of such strict commands lifting throughout the history of the Gelugpa lineage. Here are a few examples: the sealed-in-secrecy commentary to the five completion stages of Ghantapa by the Panchen Lama Losang Chokyi Gyaltsen is now available for the general public, Geshe Chekawa revealed secret Lojong teachings, the Panchen Lama Chokyi Gyaltsen compiled Lama Chopa, Lamas have given Secret Mantra initiation since the 70's to thousands of people internationally without the disciple/Guru checking procedure, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche has revealed many instructions of the Ganden Oral Lineage to the public and even gave a transmission of the uncommon yoga of inconceivability of Vajrayogini to over 10,000 people many of which did not have initiation. This last one used to be under a strict command that it only be given to a small handful of people at a time, once a year, and that they must definitely meet certain qualifications.
So Fruven, you are telling me these Masters are sending all these people to Vajra Hell? Yep, that is what you just said, but you phrased it as me sending them to such a hell for explaining the facts.
It is important to have refuge in the Three Jewels as the principal prerequisite for receiving initiation. Other than that, to also examine a Guru's qualifications, train in Lamrim and Lojong, and to do the ngondro are all important, but they have not been absolute requirements for receiving initiation. Reading and receiving teachings before initiations are a motivator for receiving the initiations. Geshe Kelsang's method is a good example of this and the result is thousands of people having the opportunity to enter progress on and complete the path. This does not however invalidate some Lamas strict approach for they have a different karma with their disciples. I think Tsem Rinpoche is a good example of this. He is very strict and requires much from his students before he is going to grant Highest Yoga Tantra initiation such as Vajrayogini. He wrote a wonderful explanation on his blog of his vision, preparing students, entering retreat and people achieving realizations. I think it was called 'Relying on Vajrayogini Right Now' or something like that.
Anyways, everyone has freedom, and following the Guru's lineage is important. I have presented my understanding and my view here in a recent post about receiving initiations sooner than later in part to show people here that the strict approach is not the only opportunity available to them. I know some people who despite knowing this have waited many years training in Sutra before they felt what they personally decided was "ready" for them to receive initiation. I admire that, but such an approach is not for everybody, so out of unbelievable kindness the Guru has manifested a quick alternative for those who wish to train in Highest Yoga Tantra now. The union of Sutra and Tantra will lead you to realization one way or the other, so relax, choose your own approach, and respect that there are different ways my friend.
