:ryone close to your Guru
Remember
that he is a Buddha with equal regard and love for all.
Wang-ch-ug-Dor-je-Mahamudra-Eliminating-the-Darkness-of-Ignorance
shadow, then,' are both acts of Jextreme-?
disregard?
:and.
?
disrespect?
?
forl 1thc ;stlife?
?
or Enlighten- .
'ro~ot.
:!
'Therefore ;the .
fearsome: consequences?
: of both arc the
same.
. If yqu . treat . you~ . Guru? s shoes? . ,seat :and . the :horse or ~#licle ,he rides. as, ot;dinary 9bjects, and presume to usc. them Y<? Ursclf. Of stc;p -on :. them, . . YOlU'' arrogant attitude . can: ? only
. ~co,m~ a, JDajor bindr! lnce t9 your attainment, of Buddhahood.
? (~4)
(A:? ? disciple) having great sense shoul(tcpbcy) ? the-words:? of''his~GuruJoyfully and wJt'b enth'U- siasnt. . Jf you ? tack the kt1owledge ? ot? ab. llii\t. (to do what he say~), explain in (polite) words
why you cannot (comply). (251
It, js ftoill _your? Gutu: tP. arpowe. tf1Jr~ttain- meritli;? . nigher . rebirt~? . ? . at;'~ ? . ~. aq~~ne's~:-. ? ~ome. Therefore ? make . a? wh'ole~he? a:Ctdf effort'never to transgress ? youf Guru~s. advice.
Obeying your Guru's orders and. foUQwing his . advice arc more important than making countJC:as? ofr'eiings. ' ? ? Entrusting you'tself f'ully. . ~tO'i him'/ he? , will? guide ? you ? . ,aJongi tho I? pafb to Enligbtenmcrit;H:? Ifi,wlth ? haughty: 'pride au4'. 1Stubb0m rclc>sed min'ded'ncss ? yott think ;:you1! kn6wJ \vhaHsvbesflfotl~~i:llww spirituat iprogress,. ;? howr:willdyou1:beJ1ableti:tdAleam~laliJitlfuiw from;hini?
Tliis; :d~es not? ? mean' thatuyoil' ? $boUtd~','&tCOmtl' 1a"h1ndfteU s\ave or that '}'ourl(juru1 can take undue advl! ntage1of. yatfR As . yon'ato aiming? ~for ? the-? eoiripleteL? frec! dom:>ofnEilligbtebmcntl therei must? a1so'be1 freedom in'the nteans>! bfatdiininwit. fJYeu sbouJdi ne\>er;? follow ! . yout ? ? Guru's :wiSbes? 1simply ? bC! cauat-. ? . you feel obligated:or fcirced? ~o'obey;:? Ratliel'J. try? ~to? ,undentahclchii intentions andJ? aim. ? J? ,Your? GurutwiJI. only? ~toll you tbJdo,\\lha~
is benefidial'fot yourself . and' other-s:; ! :Whatl? be. , ;1sks: ,maae"'bp difficult and its immcdiatoipurpose. rn? y? ? oot'J b? J-obvious~Jbdt you should receive his advice, jorfully and with deep gratitude for his concern with your welfare? .
? Exaininc''yoursclf ? honestly? 't'o see' ? lr1you? ~'can'~'t6llow his wishes~~'If' ttier~ is ? rto! ioaylin which you'. 'cancon(p11Vdb not be rude' orJarrogantt ? Explain ipoJite)y(aJ:~dr! Wjth <<~. . "t:~esnofbumility wbat the diffi. ctJlty isu . . XC? Ur . G~JH"! ! Viii . not ~ llllJ~~5onable; as. IJ ~. Y,dpbahe. i. dilled with ~. refl,t~QmPJlSSionJ
;lf~JhQlY~vcriiJRUu~. ? _av~ ! f~S8{9s. i~a1,bj~. 2a,9. yjce. this is best. . f. R),IowiQg,dt. h~::;pi,it;Qll,l, ,9atU. . as . he. . dir. ects,,. you can
? 176 MAHAMUDRA
attain not only the ordinary powerful attainments (siddhi) of extra-physical and mental powers common to non-Buddhists, but depending on -1~ur motiv~tion, a higher rebirth, the happiness of Liberation or the supreme powerful attaintment of Buddhabood.
(26)
(Guard) your Guru's belongings as you wc. Jld your own life. Treat even your Guru's beloved (family) with the same (respec~ you show) for him. (Have affectionate regard for) those closely amund him . as if they were your owu dearest kin. Single-mindediy think (in this way) at all times.
Before Drom-ton-pa studied with AtUa, he served another Guru in K'am. During the day he carried his master's children on his bCKk, spun wool with his hands and softened leather with his feet. At night he tended his animals. He did all this with great joy, and although he was only a layman, AtUa ap? pointed him to receive all the teachings he brought to Tibet.
When Je-tziin M. -la ra-pa . t'as serving Mar-pa, he would throw himself in the mud and beg his Guru's wife to sit on him while she milked the cows. You must have such respect and devotion for e:v.
:ryone close to your Guru Remember that he is a Buddha with equal regard and love for all. If you. arc jtalous of his family, attendants or other disciples, if you arc pos,essive of his tHrte and attention, this clearly shows that you d~ not sincerely believe ~im to be a Buddha.
(27)
Never sit on the {same) bed or seat {as your Guru), nor walk ahead of him. (At teachings do not) wear your hair in . a top-knot, (a hat, shoes or any weapons. Never) touch a seat (before he sits down or if he happens to sit un the ground. Do not place your hands (proudly)
on your hips or wring them (before him).
? (28)
Never sit or recline while your Guru is stand-
ing (nt~r lie whil. e he is sitting). Always b:: ready to stand up and serve him skilfully in an excellent manner.
(29)
In the presence of your Guru n<,ver do such things as spit, (cough or sneeze without cover- ing your head. Never) stretch out your legs when at your seat, nor walk back and forth (without reason before him. h. nd never) argue.
(30)
Never massag~ or rub your limbs. Do not
sing, dance or play musical instruments (for other than religious purposes). And never chatter idly or speak in excess (or too loudly) within the range of (your Guru's) hearing.
-\11 these examples of improper behaviour are prohibited not because your Guru will be offended: Buddhas cannot be affeeted by rudeness. 1L as because you wish to attain his state of perfection, and have great respect for this achievement, that you should not act in a coarse, arrogant or incousidercltc manner.
The custoJM outlined here arc not meant to be unnatural and cruel restrictions. If you are sitting cross-legged at a dia? course and this becomes uncomfortable, you arc certainly
permitted to lin your knees or shift your position. But to sit casually with your feet stretched out t. owards your Guru reflects a flippant, disrespectful attitude. Receiving a discourse is not liko attending a sporting event. It is not. for your amusement,. but for your attain! Jlent of Enlightenment that you are with your Guru. Th,? rcforc you must show him great respect and always bo alert to his needs and comfort:
GURIJ-DEI'OTION 177
? ? : l78
. MAH. lltf{. IIUU,
(3. 1)
(Whe. n your( Ouru enters? thei! roomj get up
itom. -)'pUr:d;eat and)! bbw o/bur. . headrSlightJy. Sit? {iikhi~. -ipresente);rq;pectfuiJy. . :. 1\t~night or at rivers or on dangerous;paths. with (your Guru's) permission you may walk before him.
(32)
I n . t h e d i r e c t s i g h t . o t h i $ . Q~q,. ( a : d i s c i p l e ) w i t h sense ? should JtOt ,(sit)! with:. bis. . i boc;ly; twisted ar9und, nQJ: leanblg. (~apsally) :against pillars a~d sucP-. N~ve. t::-,crack. your knuckle$, (play with your fingers or clean your nails)~~
You must always be consider~te of your Guru. As he is the one who will show you the w~y to complete frecdo~from all 'youri*'ifferirig a'Dd liu~1t0 be;abid to libtrate? athers, heris more pie~ious than? anyihiq,~ISC! . il I( lilris lir dan~. J;Jyoftrffiust pro- :t~t. ~im-t. ? ,,QP nQt. sit~Qk,. idly:pQd? Ftoudlp. a. tjf yo. \11pwned the e~~r~ . WOJ')~.
(3,3)
W~~! l~'#as! Y~g (Y:fUiJ4r9~Jl'fo)qf~-~. . oA"Jti~ J > p d y , drying, ,;ma,ssagin&d or;. _(shaving) l)im;t precede
SUCh? aCtiOnS,:W. jthli(three)lprostratiOnS and-at :their'eonclusioii acHhe1'same:? Th~n? 1t;i1te'fi<r(to
y61irselff~s? riiticli'! ryd~ lik. e;?
h'. . ~r,Y~11. :hayf:i~~~'I? P~? ft~~,~~>=A~:;~~~;~P:W. P. ! YiW/! ? ft~b\his
J~c; ~~'1~~-~? -? ~~lr~}1~? . a:\\Ji'1Pcct9~'? fl, };~8. 1:'ttlt! . -Pft'\. ,tA? .
~~t~'rlre~~~e~(. ? ~p,_,h? ,. . ;. J;,. ? -~u'J ~~~-~"~\~~MP'? ~. ,. e~Aoos
.
.
~
10 ~KA~f. ~~~~J~;&;~P~~? ;lrd~v~ffff~~. . ~{ul~~i! ! . :Yq? 1iiAJ'-. ~
~~
? -~r:~: },5J;l~~! -,Jf. PI~'~''~~~~LIJi~'. 'Yf. l? ,JR~9J. l~l;l,. ,. a~fJ,. m\! r.
amhnmem _of n1S" ~n ? ghtJmed . state. . Q. QIY. . afterwards. . . should y6ti1ci~~';ror1Y,'o~rs~i? .
'3,11) ~indq. . yQu:. tte~d? ttO:o:addressr (yoUl'. ? Gwlu) 1by.
his name, add;thetitle' 1'. Your<Presen~,- -afrd. r-
? it. To generate respect for him in others,
further honorifics may also be used.
Once when Je Tzong? k'a-pa was giving a discourse to a few disciples in a retreat house above where Se-ra Monastery later was built, K'a-dr'ub Je came to meet him for the first time. He asked a nun living near by where the Venerable Tzong-k'a? pa could be found and she ran off without saying a word. She rinsed her mouth, lit a stick of incense and then replied, "My gracious, venerable Abbot, His Presence Jc Tzong-k'a-pa resides over there. ? ?
If your Guru's name is Rin-ch'en dor-je, you may refer to him when speaking to others as "my spiritual master, His Presence, _the holy, venerable Rin-ch'en dor-je. " At least some respectful ? . titles must be used. It is extremely crude, arrogant and grating to address, reter to or write about your Guru merely using his personal name. Your Guru is not your child- hood playmate, but a Buddha leading you to Enlightenment.
(35)
When asking for your Guru? s advice, (first
announce why you have come). With palms pressed together at your heart, listen to what he tells you without (letting your mind) wander about. Then (when he has spoken) you should reply, "I shall do exactly as you have said. "
(36)
After doing (what your Guru has told you),
report (what has happened) in polite, gentle words. Should you yawn or cough, (clear your throat or laugh in his presence), cover your mouth with youi hand.
Never waste your Guru's time by coming to him merely for idle chatter. After making prostratation three times, announce the purpose of your ~isit directly. Ask your questions in a straightforward. manner, with extreme politeness and humility.
GURU-DEYOTION 119
? 180 MAHAMUDRA
If your Guru gives you advice or asks you to do something, examine yoll1'5C. If to see if you can comply.
same.
. If yqu . treat . you~ . Guru? s shoes? . ,seat :and . the :horse or ~#licle ,he rides. as, ot;dinary 9bjects, and presume to usc. them Y<? Ursclf. Of stc;p -on :. them, . . YOlU'' arrogant attitude . can: ? only
. ~co,m~ a, JDajor bindr! lnce t9 your attainment, of Buddhahood.
? (~4)
(A:? ? disciple) having great sense shoul(tcpbcy) ? the-words:? of''his~GuruJoyfully and wJt'b enth'U- siasnt. . Jf you ? tack the kt1owledge ? ot? ab. llii\t. (to do what he say~), explain in (polite) words
why you cannot (comply). (251
It, js ftoill _your? Gutu: tP. arpowe. tf1Jr~ttain- meritli;? . nigher . rebirt~? . ? . at;'~ ? . ~. aq~~ne's~:-. ? ~ome. Therefore ? make . a? wh'ole~he? a:Ctdf effort'never to transgress ? youf Guru~s. advice.
Obeying your Guru's orders and. foUQwing his . advice arc more important than making countJC:as? ofr'eiings. ' ? ? Entrusting you'tself f'ully. . ~tO'i him'/ he? , will? guide ? you ? . ,aJongi tho I? pafb to Enligbtenmcrit;H:? Ifi,wlth ? haughty: 'pride au4'. 1Stubb0m rclc>sed min'ded'ncss ? yott think ;:you1! kn6wJ \vhaHsvbesflfotl~~i:llww spirituat iprogress,. ;? howr:willdyou1:beJ1ableti:tdAleam~laliJitlfuiw from;hini?
Tliis; :d~es not? ? mean' thatuyoil' ? $boUtd~','&tCOmtl' 1a"h1ndfteU s\ave or that '}'ourl(juru1 can take undue advl! ntage1of. yatfR As . yon'ato aiming? ~for ? the-? eoiripleteL? frec! dom:>ofnEilligbtebmcntl therei must? a1so'be1 freedom in'the nteans>! bfatdiininwit. fJYeu sbouJdi ne\>er;? follow ! . yout ? ? Guru's :wiSbes? 1simply ? bC! cauat-. ? . you feel obligated:or fcirced? ~o'obey;:? Ratliel'J. try? ~to? ,undentahclchii intentions andJ? aim. ? J? ,Your? GurutwiJI. only? ~toll you tbJdo,\\lha~
is benefidial'fot yourself . and' other-s:; ! :Whatl? be. , ;1sks: ,maae"'bp difficult and its immcdiatoipurpose. rn? y? ? oot'J b? J-obvious~Jbdt you should receive his advice, jorfully and with deep gratitude for his concern with your welfare? .
? Exaininc''yoursclf ? honestly? 't'o see' ? lr1you? ~'can'~'t6llow his wishes~~'If' ttier~ is ? rto! ioaylin which you'. 'cancon(p11Vdb not be rude' orJarrogantt ? Explain ipoJite)y(aJ:~dr! Wjth <<~. . "t:~esnofbumility wbat the diffi. ctJlty isu . . XC? Ur . G~JH"! ! Viii . not ~ llllJ~~5onable; as. IJ ~. Y,dpbahe. i. dilled with ~. refl,t~QmPJlSSionJ
;lf~JhQlY~vcriiJRUu~. ? _av~ ! f~S8{9s. i~a1,bj~. 2a,9. yjce. this is best. . f. R),IowiQg,dt. h~::;pi,it;Qll,l, ,9atU. . as . he. . dir. ects,,. you can
? 176 MAHAMUDRA
attain not only the ordinary powerful attainments (siddhi) of extra-physical and mental powers common to non-Buddhists, but depending on -1~ur motiv~tion, a higher rebirth, the happiness of Liberation or the supreme powerful attaintment of Buddhabood.
(26)
(Guard) your Guru's belongings as you wc. Jld your own life. Treat even your Guru's beloved (family) with the same (respec~ you show) for him. (Have affectionate regard for) those closely amund him . as if they were your owu dearest kin. Single-mindediy think (in this way) at all times.
Before Drom-ton-pa studied with AtUa, he served another Guru in K'am. During the day he carried his master's children on his bCKk, spun wool with his hands and softened leather with his feet. At night he tended his animals. He did all this with great joy, and although he was only a layman, AtUa ap? pointed him to receive all the teachings he brought to Tibet.
When Je-tziin M. -la ra-pa . t'as serving Mar-pa, he would throw himself in the mud and beg his Guru's wife to sit on him while she milked the cows. You must have such respect and devotion for e:v.
:ryone close to your Guru Remember that he is a Buddha with equal regard and love for all. If you. arc jtalous of his family, attendants or other disciples, if you arc pos,essive of his tHrte and attention, this clearly shows that you d~ not sincerely believe ~im to be a Buddha.
(27)
Never sit on the {same) bed or seat {as your Guru), nor walk ahead of him. (At teachings do not) wear your hair in . a top-knot, (a hat, shoes or any weapons. Never) touch a seat (before he sits down or if he happens to sit un the ground. Do not place your hands (proudly)
on your hips or wring them (before him).
? (28)
Never sit or recline while your Guru is stand-
ing (nt~r lie whil. e he is sitting). Always b:: ready to stand up and serve him skilfully in an excellent manner.
(29)
In the presence of your Guru n<,ver do such things as spit, (cough or sneeze without cover- ing your head. Never) stretch out your legs when at your seat, nor walk back and forth (without reason before him. h. nd never) argue.
(30)
Never massag~ or rub your limbs. Do not
sing, dance or play musical instruments (for other than religious purposes). And never chatter idly or speak in excess (or too loudly) within the range of (your Guru's) hearing.
-\11 these examples of improper behaviour are prohibited not because your Guru will be offended: Buddhas cannot be affeeted by rudeness. 1L as because you wish to attain his state of perfection, and have great respect for this achievement, that you should not act in a coarse, arrogant or incousidercltc manner.
The custoJM outlined here arc not meant to be unnatural and cruel restrictions. If you are sitting cross-legged at a dia? course and this becomes uncomfortable, you arc certainly
permitted to lin your knees or shift your position. But to sit casually with your feet stretched out t. owards your Guru reflects a flippant, disrespectful attitude. Receiving a discourse is not liko attending a sporting event. It is not. for your amusement,. but for your attain! Jlent of Enlightenment that you are with your Guru. Th,? rcforc you must show him great respect and always bo alert to his needs and comfort:
GURIJ-DEI'OTION 177
? ? : l78
. MAH. lltf{. IIUU,
(3. 1)
(Whe. n your( Ouru enters? thei! roomj get up
itom. -)'pUr:d;eat and)! bbw o/bur. . headrSlightJy. Sit? {iikhi~. -ipresente);rq;pectfuiJy. . :. 1\t~night or at rivers or on dangerous;paths. with (your Guru's) permission you may walk before him.
(32)
I n . t h e d i r e c t s i g h t . o t h i $ . Q~q,. ( a : d i s c i p l e ) w i t h sense ? should JtOt ,(sit)! with:. bis. . i boc;ly; twisted ar9und, nQJ: leanblg. (~apsally) :against pillars a~d sucP-. N~ve. t::-,crack. your knuckle$, (play with your fingers or clean your nails)~~
You must always be consider~te of your Guru. As he is the one who will show you the w~y to complete frecdo~from all 'youri*'ifferirig a'Dd liu~1t0 be;abid to libtrate? athers, heris more pie~ious than? anyihiq,~ISC! . il I( lilris lir dan~. J;Jyoftrffiust pro- :t~t. ~im-t. ? ,,QP nQt. sit~Qk,. idly:pQd? Ftoudlp. a. tjf yo. \11pwned the e~~r~ . WOJ')~.
(3,3)
W~~! l~'#as! Y~g (Y:fUiJ4r9~Jl'fo)qf~-~. . oA"Jti~ J > p d y , drying, ,;ma,ssagin&d or;. _(shaving) l)im;t precede
SUCh? aCtiOnS,:W. jthli(three)lprostratiOnS and-at :their'eonclusioii acHhe1'same:? Th~n? 1t;i1te'fi<r(to
y61irselff~s? riiticli'! ryd~ lik. e;?
h'. . ~r,Y~11. :hayf:i~~~'I? P~? ft~~,~~>=A~:;~~~;~P:W. P. ! YiW/! ? ft~b\his
J~c; ~~'1~~-~? -? ~~lr~}1~? . a:\\Ji'1Pcct9~'? fl, };~8. 1:'ttlt! . -Pft'\. ,tA? .
~~t~'rlre~~~e~(. ? ~p,_,h? ,. . ;. J;,. ? -~u'J ~~~-~"~\~~MP'? ~. ,. e~Aoos
.
.
~
10 ~KA~f. ~~~~J~;&;~P~~? ;lrd~v~ffff~~. . ~{ul~~i! ! . :Yq? 1iiAJ'-. ~
~~
? -~r:~: },5J;l~~! -,Jf. PI~'~''~~~~LIJi~'. 'Yf. l? ,JR~9J. l~l;l,. ,. a~fJ,. m\! r.
amhnmem _of n1S" ~n ? ghtJmed . state. . Q. QIY. . afterwards. . . should y6ti1ci~~';ror1Y,'o~rs~i? .
'3,11) ~indq. . yQu:. tte~d? ttO:o:addressr (yoUl'. ? Gwlu) 1by.
his name, add;thetitle' 1'. Your<Presen~,- -afrd. r-
? it. To generate respect for him in others,
further honorifics may also be used.
Once when Je Tzong? k'a-pa was giving a discourse to a few disciples in a retreat house above where Se-ra Monastery later was built, K'a-dr'ub Je came to meet him for the first time. He asked a nun living near by where the Venerable Tzong-k'a? pa could be found and she ran off without saying a word. She rinsed her mouth, lit a stick of incense and then replied, "My gracious, venerable Abbot, His Presence Jc Tzong-k'a-pa resides over there. ? ?
If your Guru's name is Rin-ch'en dor-je, you may refer to him when speaking to others as "my spiritual master, His Presence, _the holy, venerable Rin-ch'en dor-je. " At least some respectful ? . titles must be used. It is extremely crude, arrogant and grating to address, reter to or write about your Guru merely using his personal name. Your Guru is not your child- hood playmate, but a Buddha leading you to Enlightenment.
(35)
When asking for your Guru? s advice, (first
announce why you have come). With palms pressed together at your heart, listen to what he tells you without (letting your mind) wander about. Then (when he has spoken) you should reply, "I shall do exactly as you have said. "
(36)
After doing (what your Guru has told you),
report (what has happened) in polite, gentle words. Should you yawn or cough, (clear your throat or laugh in his presence), cover your mouth with youi hand.
Never waste your Guru's time by coming to him merely for idle chatter. After making prostratation three times, announce the purpose of your ~isit directly. Ask your questions in a straightforward. manner, with extreme politeness and humility.
GURU-DEYOTION 119
? 180 MAHAMUDRA
If your Guru gives you advice or asks you to do something, examine yoll1'5C. If to see if you can comply.
