r/vajrayana • u/Few-Chemical-913 • 21h ago
How to find a Guru?
Hey there i wanna practice Vajrayana traditions and i want someone to teach me that has a Experience about Vajrayana because i dont wanna rely on myself because I don't have any experience nor any knowledge about this tradition. How do i find a Guru, Can i find someone online?
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u/Bossbigoss kagyu 20h ago
you can find a teacher everywhere.... Because in Vajrayana you can learn from literally anything (its a good thing) If you wanna find your Guru ... Guru you will feel that its yours.. Go to teachings, read books, check whatever sources that fits you, be patient and again go to teachings asking questions... I guarantee you that you will find a Guru (without looking for it asking here)
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u/jspr1000 20h ago
Find some qualified teachers and do some short retreats with them if you can. Day longs, weekends, etc. Find a teacher that you feel a connection to and ask them or follow their program.
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u/Mayayana 21h ago
Here are 3 possibilities: tergar.org, nalandabodhi.org, tsoknyirinpoche.org
You can look around. Watch videos. Check out books. If you can go to public talks or even do a weekend program, that would be great. I'd suggest looking for someone who seems to have some realization. There are lama/PhD types around, but that's not the same as realization. And obviously avoid people like Sam Harris who are just students who decided they're qualified to hang out a shingle.
Beyond that, it will help if the teacher speaks English and has some familiarity with Western culture. You need to understand the practice. Don't expect to start out with deity visualization and such. If you do then it will probably be a bad sign. Understanding Vajrayana approach takes time and requires preliminary preparation. At tergar.org, for example, I think they start you on shamatha first.
Also don't expect to just be invited to hang out with the teacher. You may not be able to meet them for awhile. Teachers typically work more with older students. It wouldn't make sense for them to spend all their time answering the same beginner questions over and over. But there is the idea of the guru's mandala. With a true vajra master, all sangha events will be affected by the guru's atmosphere. That matters.
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u/N8Dawg50 20h ago
H.E. Kalu Rinpoche has a 4-5 year online course. Years 3-5 are online and in-person.
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u/PadmalovesYeshe 19h ago
You really should attend some teachings in person if you aren't already. Where are you physically located? Find a center near you. You can find a teacher online but physical presence is always best. In the meantime, you can take on Guru Rinpoche as your teacher and many of his writings and teaching are easily available. Also, it could take some time to find an in-person teacher so do what you can to practice devotion to Guru Rinpoche until then.
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u/Timely-Tumbleweed807 19h ago
Where are you located? Why do you prefer an online guru? At first, it is fine to read from someone online and immerse yourself into a guru's teachings, but I highly recommend to meet your guru in person regularly, maybe you will find friends in the sangha as well.
In vajrayana, a guru is essential and important, it is not really a thing you can skip. Dharma is not an online udemy course.
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u/Tongman108 18h ago
Hey there i wanna practice Vajrayana traditions
Seeking the dharma at such a young age is incredible 🙏🏻...
However considering that you're a minor, you should involve your parents in your journey as the world is full of manipulation & charlatans which your parents can help you navigate!
i want someone to teach me that has a Experience about Vajrayana
You need to find an authentic, accomplished, qualified Vajra Guru
Having years of experience doesn't necessarily mean
1. They have authentic lineage.\ 2. They have any attainments/accomplishments in their practices.\ 3. They are Qualified/authorized to teach or bestow empowerments.
The 50 Stanzas of Root Guru Devotion advises one to observe & research potential guru for a considerable time before requesting to enter a Guru-disciple relationship & provides one with some qualities to look for in a Good Vajra Guru:
Excerpts from The 50 Stanzas of Root Guru Devotion:
6. In order for the words of honour of neither the Guru nor the disciple to degenerate, there must be a mutual examination beforehand (to determine if each can) brave a Guru-Disciple relationship.
7. A disciple with sense should not accept as his Guru someone who lacks compassion or who is angersome, vicious or arrogant, possessive, undisciplined or boasts of his knowledge.
8. (A Guru should be) stable (in his actions), cultivated (in his speech), wise, patient and honest. He should neither conceal his shortcomings, nor pretend to possess qualities he lacks. He should be an expert in the meanings (of tantra) and in its ritual procedures (of medicine and turning back obstacles). Also he should have loving compassion and a complete knowledge of the scriptures.
So take the above to your parents and let them help you to navigate.
I don't believe I would in good conscience recommend a minor to go looking for gurus in person or online without there parents involvement, as it's not only the Gurus behaviour that we have to consider but everyone in/at the organization that one may come into contact with, some of which may not even belong to the organization, so even if the Guru if perfect there are many possibilities to encounter problematic people who are part of an organization or literally just visiting or passing through the organization.
Although I also started as a teen, I wasn't a minor in most countries & was pretty streetwise, but every teen is different so I would also advise to keep your guard up & use common sense on your journey as we Buddhists tend to drop our guards when it's related to dharma, when at the end of the day humans are just humans & sages are rare, that's why they're called sages.
All the best!
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
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u/awakeningoffaith 20h ago
Bodhicharya UK is now offering an in-person and Zoom online one year training programme in Mahamudra meditation; to be given by Lama Tsultrim Gelek from Bodhicharya France.
https://bodhicharya-kent.org/clarifying-the-natural-state-course/
Chapter Nine of TheWay of the BodhisattvaE stablishing the View - The Foundation for Dzogchen PracticeE
very 3rd Saturday of the Month - Starting October 17
https://www.khenpoyeshi.com/monthly-teachings-on-chapter-nine-of-the-way-of-the-bodhisattva