Dear friends near and far,
As always, I hope this message finds you well, healthy and happy. On today’s Guru Rinpoche day, I would like to share a reminder of the importance of being genuine, whether as a student or a teacher. Guru Rinpoche himself said:
To fail to examine the teacher is like plunging into an abyss.
To fail to examine the student is like drinking poison.
Indeed, in this day and age, it seems ever more crucial for teachers and students to correctly examine each other. My own father, Yap Tsiké Chokling Rinpoche, insisted upon this point some years ago when he was invited to teach Dzogchen, the Great Perfection, at a retreat in Hong Kong. On that occasion, Yap Rinpoche said:
When a genuine teacher imparts genuine instructions upon a genuine student who applies them genuinely, then the genuine result comes to fruition.
Rinpoche repeated this many times. Therefore, when one is seeking a good teacher, one needs to fully examine them: What is their lineage? How profound is their view, their understanding of the Dharma? How much have they practiced? How genuine is their compassion? How well do they keep samaya? If you do not check all of this first, taking on that teacher would be like jumping off a cliff.
Likewise, the teacher must also examine the student: Do they have the right qualities? Do they have faith, compassion, patience, intelligence, diligence? This is the type of person who makes for a good student. Otherwise, to just accept a student without checking them first is like drinking poison.
It is extremely important not to miss either part of this auspicious connection: for the teacher to connect with an authentic student, and the student to connect with an authentic teacher. This, in fact, is the root of all auspicious connections. When that auspicious circumstance is there, then all else will naturally fall into place.
The Self-Arisen Tantra says:
Vajra masters should hold an unbroken,
Genuine lineage, and be well trained.
They should have obtained empowerment,
And integrated the meaning of the Secret Mantra.
They should know all the outer and inner activities
And be at one with their yidam deity.
They should be undistracted in samadhi,
Have understood the Great Perfection instructions,
And be versed in the secret tantras of Secret Mantra.
They should be knowledgeable in all outer and inner practices,
And never depart from the view.
These are the qualities of a genuine teacher. In particular, the teachers should have the qualities that are associated with the particular teaching they are imparting, and likewise the student should have the qualities necessary to receive that teaching. Thus, whether one is giving or receiving the nirmanakaya teachings of the Great Vehicle; the sambhogakaya teachings of the Secret Mantra; or the dharmakaya teachings of the Great Perfection—all of these require certain qualities of the teacher and of the student. This is crucial.
Therefore, today I would like to remind you all once again of what my father, Yap Tsiké Chokling Rinpoche said:
When a genuine teacher imparts genuine instructions upon a genuine student who applies them genuinely, then the genuine result comes to fruition.
And furthermore, please also keep in mind that all auspicious connections start with the auspicious connection between a genuine teacher and a genuine student.
With all my love and prayers,
Sarva Mangalam.
Phakchok Rinpoche
Translations
Català
简体中文
繁體中文
Français
Deutsch
Ελληνικά
Bahasa Indonesia
日本語
नेपाली
Polski
Português
Русский
Español
ภาษาไทย
Українська
Tiếng Việt
