Spiritual Teachers

Dr. Berzin reminisces about his relationship with his teacher, Yongdzin Ling Rinpoche.

Dr. Berzin remembers the great Kalmyk geshe, Geshe Wangyal, who always combined the spiritual approach and the buddhological, scientific approach.

The traditional presentations list three points concerning our behavior toward a spiritual teacher. Making offerings, helping them and practicing in accordance with their advice.

Choosing our spiritual teacher or a root guru, someone whose inspiration serves as a root to anchor and nourish our spiritual growth, requires us to have examined them well and to feel a sense of instinctive connection.

Alan Turner, Serkong Rinpoche’s “Westerner Yogi’s,” recollections of his relation with his teacher.

An overview of the intellectual, emotional, and devotional approaches to Dharma.

Misunderstanding may arise from teachers or translators accidentally saying something incorrect.

Buddhist practice requires a balance of intellectual, emotional and devotional approaches.

Confusion arose due to vast cultural differences and the new realities of Dharma centers established by Tibetan teachers for the Western, lay students – a phenomenon that had not existed before in the history of Buddhism.

Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche: Master Debate Partner and Assistant Tutor of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama.