Path of Realization · Path of Transformation

Finding an Authentic Teacher: The Importance of Aspiration

Phakchok Rinpoche responds to a student question about the qualities of an authentic guru.

Buddhist Philosophy

In the first portion of this audio, recording Phakchok Rinpoche responds to a student question about the basic qualities of a genuine guru. He advises those who are looking to connect with an authentic spiritual master to assess the teacher by looking for the signs discussed in many texts.

Samye Institute · Phakchok Rinpoche - The Importance Of Aspiration

Core Qualities of a Teacher

Great compassion
Patience
Great knowledge and understanding of Dharma based upon experience
Clear devotion to an authentic lineage of masters
Behavior consistent with his or her teaching

Rinpoche notes that the special qualifications of a teacher depend upon the level of teachings being given. These qualities listed above are the basic qualities one should expect from a teacher.

Creating Conditions Through Aspiration

Next, in the second portion of the audio, Rinpoche advises us on how we can create the conditions to meet with a genuine teacher. So it is important to know that we have to do some work here. As students, we have the responsibility to make spiritual life and finding an authentic teacher a priority. Again, Rinpoche here emphasizes the importance of aspiration, true aspiration from the bottom of one’s heart. If we have not yet found our teacher, we make that aspiration again and again.

Accumulating Merit

We are often willing to spend time and money on mundane things, right? But at the same time, we can be very stingy about taking the time and spending money to do practices that accumulate merit. And here we need to engage in some honest self-reflection. If we have not yet connected with a spiritual teacher, we can devote more time and energy to merit-making activities. We can make water or light offerings, and we can engage in acts of generosity. We can practice ethical conduct, being mindful of all our activities of body, speech, and mind In addition, we can engage in study and reflection on the teaching of the Buddha to lay the foundations for oral instructions. And we can make sincere prayers to meet with and follow an authentic teacher.

Are we being intelligent about how we spend our time?
And are we stingy when it comes to accumulating merit? Does that make sense if we really contemplate the probable outcome? How do you prioritize the accumulation of merit in your own practice?

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About the Author

Phakchok Rinpoche

Phakchok Rinpoche was born in 1981 to Kyapjé Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche and Sangyum Dechen Paldrön, within the family lineage of the great treasure revealer (terchen) Chokgyur Dechen Zhikpo Lingpa. Rinpoche was recognized as the reincarnation of the 6th Kyapgön Phakchok Rinpoche, one of the three throne holders (kyapgöns) of the Taklung Kagyü seat (densa) at Marthang Kham Riwoche monastery. Among Rinpoche’s previous incarnations, the 4th Kyapgön Phakchok Rinpoche was a devoted disciple and patron of Terchen Chokgyur Lingpa. During that period, it was the unwavering support of the upholders of Riwoche Monastery that created the auspicious circumstances for Chokgyur Lingpa’s awakened activity to spread and flourish. Under the guidance of his root gurus—Kyapjé Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Kyapjé Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, and Kyapchok Soktse Rinpoche—Phakchok Rinpoche has received and practiced the profound Dharma teachings handed down in an unbroken lineage from Mahaguru Padmasambhava. Inspired by the life and legacy of Guru Padmasambhava, Terchen Chokgyur Lingpa and the upholders of Riwoche Monastery, Rinpoche has devoted his own life to spreading the teachings of Guru Rinpoche, particularly the Profound Treasures of Chokgyur Lingpa (Chokling Tersar). Mahaguru Padmasambhava is renowned for his role in guiding the establishment of Samye Monastery, thereby creating the auspicious causes and conditions (tendrel) for more than a thousand years of authentic practice to unfold in the land of Tibet in an incredible lineage of accomplishment that continues to this present day. Reflecting upon these auspicious beginnings, Phakchok Rinpoche has given his organization the same name, Samye, which means inconceivable. Just as this ancient Tibetan institution lived up to its name, becoming a truly inconceivable source of the Buddhadharma, Rinpoche’s aspiration is for today’s Samye mandala to do likewise and become an inconceivable beacon of wisdom, compassion and dignity for our present world and into the future. In honor of Mahaguru Padmasambhava, Rinpoche has chosen a seal to represent Samye that traces back to Guru Rinpoche himself. This esteemed emblem was originally revealed by the Mahaguru and given to Dharma King Trisong Detsen’s royal heir, Lhasé Murup Tsenpo. Murup Tsenpo subsequently concealed it as a treasure (terma) for the benefit of future generations. Much later, in 18th century Tibet, it was discovered as a treasure by Lhasé Murup Tsenpo’s reincarnation, Terchen Chokgyur Dechen Zhikpo Lingpa. Today, it serves as the emblem for the Profound Treasures of Chokgyur Lingpa and for all Dharma activities led by Phakchok Rinpoche and his sangha.

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Samye is a place where students from all corners of the globe explore how to work with their minds in order to lead meaningful lives. Drawing from authentic Buddhist wisdom traditions, our online platform offers live teachings, structured courses, interactive forums, and community for the digital Dharma sangha. Samye Institute aims to be to the digital world what Nalanda was to India and what Samye was to Tibet.

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On this Guru Rinpoche Day message, Phakchok Rinpoche shares some simple benchmarks to measure our progress in our practice. We all go through five successive stages: 1) lack of any understanding, 2) forming misunderstandings, 3) partial understanding, 4) near-complete understanding, and 5) perfect understanding. These five stages equally apply to the view, practice and conduct. Rinpoche then starts explaining each stage. Finally, Rinpoche concludes by inviting us to study these to be able to recognize them, and thereby identify our own level of progress on the path.

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