The Guru Protocol: A Guide to Knowing Who Your Guru Is
Tsem Rinpoche with his root guru H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. In Vajrayana Buddhism, having a guru and guru devotion is central to one’s practice. Without either, we cannot progress spiritually.
In Tibetan Buddhism, the guru is of utmost importance. The guru is the person who introduces you to the teachings, explains them to you, and guides your practice of transformation to become a better person. Ultimately, it is the guru who leads you to achieve enlightenment — the goal of all Buddhists. To achieve genuine spiritual progress, it is necessary to understand the special function of the guru, the nature of the guru-disciple relationship, and the opportunities that having a guru offer.
Tibetan Buddhism has its foundation in the Mahayana sutra teachings, and on top of that are the tantra or Vajrayana teachings. In the context of sutra, the guru teaches for example, important points on meditation, philosophy and mind transformation techniques. This role is quite similar to the role of teachers in other Buddhist traditions. However, in the context of tantra, the situation is very different — both guru and disciple have very specific commitments to each other. This role is unlike that of teachers in other traditions, priests from other faiths, therapists or even modern-day life coaches.
An illustration of this difference is the practice of guru yoga, in which the student visualises their guru as an enlightened deity. The relationship is much more central and is an essential mechanism for a student’s spiritual advancement. For this reason, according to traditional teachings, one should carefully assess if a guru is a good fit for them for up to a maximum of 12 years (in modern times, this timeframe can be shortened). Rather than encouraging people to put off making a commitment, this actually stresses the importance of choosing a teacher very, very carefully.
Tsem Rinpoche with his guru Kensur Jampa Yeshe Rinpoche. To this day, the monks of Gaden Monastery remember Tsem Rinpoche exceptional devotion and service to Kensur Rinpoche.
Once a student has chosen, they can take the teacher as their guru and then engage in the practice of guru devotion with full faith, conviction and zeal, as outlined in teachings such as The 50 Verses of Guru Devotion by great Indian master Ashvaghosha.
Ultimately, what is the goal of guru devotion? The physical outer guru is actually training us to become the inner guru. When this eventually happens, we no longer need to depend on him or her as the outer guru. To get to that point however, we need to follow the outer guru’s advice, instructions and teachings to enact the transformation that we seek.
Tsem Rinpoche was well-known for his perfect guru devotion and implemented these principles in Kechara through the One Lama, One Centre policy. Click on image to enlarge.
Within Kechara, the practice of guru devotion is a central one. In today’s modern world, Buddhism has spread far and wide, especially Tibetan Buddhism with its array of intriguing deities and esoteric practices. However, the foundation upon which the success of these practices depends is guru devotion, which unfortunately is not commonly practised amongst those who class themselves as Vajrayana Buddhists.
That is why our founder and spiritual guide, His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche, who himself was well-known for his practice of guru devotion, established the ‘ONE LAMA, ONE CENTRE policy’ in Kechara. This means students stick to having one guru and one centre rather than running here and there receiving teachings, transmissions or initiations, which come with heavy commitments both in terms of vows and practices. Breaking such commitments will lead to tremendous amounts of negative karma, which can only lead to negative states and, as we are told in scripture, to lower rebirths.
Now that Rinpoche has manifested parinirvana, there may be students in Kechara who are wondering who they should take as their guru, especially if they are new. Below, we offer the answers to some of these questions:
1. I’m in Kechara. I like the organisation and have benefited from its activities. Who is my guru?
Your root guru is the guru who made the most impact on your life.
If you are in Kechara, participate in events, learn through our educational classes, workshops, etc., you should view His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche as your root guru. A guru is obviously your spiritual teacher, and a root guru is the guru whom you feel has had the most impact on your life.
If Kechara is your spiritual home, then of course the spiritual guide of the organisation would be your root guru. Kechara’s policy has been and will always be the One Lama, One Centre policy, hence Tsem Rinpoche should be the root guru of anyone in the organisation.
2. I view His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche as my root guru, but I never had the chance to meet him in person. Can I still take refuge with Tsem Rinpoche even though he is no longer physically here?
There are two forms of taking refuge. The first is the outer ritual of taking refuge. This is based on the second form, which is more important, and that is taking refuge in a guru from your heart. The teachings state that if you generate a virtuous mind and take refuge from your heart in a teacher, then that teacher becomes your guru and you establish a guru-disciple relationship even if you have never met before.
Rinpoche reiterated that teaching himself a couple of years before his parinirvana when he taught our pastors how to guide students to take refuge under him without his physical presence. The main part of this ritual is the mind and faith of the refuge-taker throughout the ceremony.
Refuge takers during Kechara’s annual Wesak Day celebrations. Hundreds of practitioners have continued to take refuge under Tsem Rinpoche even after his parinirvana.
And yes, it is still possible to formally take refuge with Tsem Rinpoche today. Every year on Wesak Day, there is a refuge ceremony in Kechara Forest Retreat. This is when people from all over the world come to formally go through the ceremony to take refuge in the Three Jewels and establish the guru-disciple relationship with Tsem Rinpoche. Once you have taken refuge with Rinpoche, you should engage in proper guru devotion towards him.
Read more about Devoting Yourself to a Guru Who Has Passed On: tsemrinpoche.com/?p=210748.
3. I already have a guru. Can I still come to Kechara?
According to the teachings on guru devotion, if you already have a guru and therefore a particular Dharma centre, it is better to stay in your centre, attend teachings and activities there, and follow their path of practice. In the past, students from other centres/gurus requested to join Kechara’s activities, but Tsem Rinpoche advised them to return to their centre and teacher, strictly following the guru devotion principles.
Rinpoche explained that if you have not learnt, practised and accomplished all that your guru has taught, then you shouldn’t seek teachings from other lamas. By understanding and practising what your own guru has taught, you should see a very dramatic transformation in your life. Transformation is what we should be seeking in spiritual practice, hence we should focus our efforts on following our guru’s teachings to enact that transformation.
It is only in situations where your guru does not have a particular teaching that it is appropriate to seek teachings from other gurus. And even in that case, this should be with your guru’s permission and only to teachers that your guru advises you to learn from.
Tsem Rinpoche with another of his gurus, H.E. Gangchen Rinpoche. Although Tsem Rinpoche had 16 gurus, he maintained perfect guru devotion to each and every one of them, upholding every single teaching and commitment that he received.
If, for whatever valid reasons, you still wish to attend teachings, classes, and activities in Kechara, Rinpoche asked that you get the direct permission of your guru first, according to the principles of guru devotion. You should also ensure that you continue to uphold your own guru’s commitments, practices and lineages well. As Rinpoche said,
“If students from other centres come to my centre, I would encourage them and talk to them about their Lama, their lineage, their practice and never, never take away their practice. Who am I to override their Lama’s practice?”
Once you have obtained your guru’s permission to attend teachings, classes and activities in Kechara, this is still subject to approval from Kechara’s management. You should write in to our team using any of the methods listed below.
4. I already have a guru. Can I also take His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche as one of my gurus?
Tsem Rinpoche never encouraged people with other gurus to take him as their guru. In fact, Rinpoche actively encouraged them to go back to their gurus and centre.
If you sincerely wish to take Rinpoche as your guru, you may do so provided you have received your original guru’s permission (if they are still alive). This is very well documented in Rinpoche’s life. When Rinpoche found himself in a situation where he needed to take a second guru due to geographic location, he sought his original guru’s permission and blessings first. Rinpoche also had this to say regarding people with other gurus or centres:
“In time I can be their second Guru, or their Dharma friend or teacher, but I should always encourage their existing practice.”
These days however, given the convenience of the Internet and modern communication technology, geographic location is not really an acceptable reason to take on another guru.
Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, it is not advised to simply seek out more gurus without having experienced the transformational effects, sustained and over time, of your original guru’s teachings and instructions. Therefore, it is strongly discouraged to take on more gurus without valid reason.
Tsem Rinpoche with his second guru, Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen. Before taking Geshe-la as his second guru, Tsem Rinpoche sought the permission and blessings of his first guru, Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tharchin.
If your guru has advised you to take refuge with Tsem Rinpoche or gives you permission to participate in Kechara, please note it is still subject to approval from Kechara’s management. You should write in to our team using any of the methods listed below.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you already have a guru but are attending Kechara’s activities with their permission, please adhere to the One Lama, One Centre policy outwardly. Be discreet that you have other gurus. This includes promoting your original guru in person or through platforms by which you communicate with other members of our spiritual community, such as social media or messaging apps. This is to prevent confusion and mistaken views of other Kechara members, which may lead to those members unintentionally infringing the principles of guru devotion. As genuine Buddhist practitioners, we should protect the minds and practices of others.
5. I’ve been to other centres, received vows or initiations, but I did not know what I was doing. I just sat through the ceremonies as I was invited. Can I come to Kechara and take His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche as my guru?
You may have been invited to Dharma centres or events by your family or friends, not knowing what you were attending. Some of these events may have been refuge-taking ceremonies, vow-giving ceremonies or even initiations.
If you knew what you were attending, e.g. if you believed you had actually taken refuge, or received vows/initiations, then you have formally created a guru-disciple relationship with that particular lama even if you were not aware of guru devotion principles or commitments at the time. Hence, accordingly, you should view that lama as your guru and abide by the principles of guru devotion. You should go back to the centre to find out more about what you received, the commitments, etc., and view that teacher as your guru. In such cases, it is not advisable for you to attend Kechara’s activities or take Tsem Rinpoche as your guru (according to what has been explained earlier.)
If you really didn’t know what you were attending and just went through the motions without thinking or feeling anything from your heart, then you didn’t actually receive anything. In such cases, you should examine both centres, both lamas, the Dharma as taught by both gurus, and then make an informed decision to choose one centre and guru to follow. Rather than going to many Dharma centres, stick to your chosen centre and guru, and transform your mind through the teachings as taught there. If you keep going to multiple centres, you will get confused in your spiritual journey.
“Once you have made a choice [of guru], it is sealed. You must follow the proper conduct of a guru and disciple.”
– Tsem Rinpoche
6. I took vows or initiation from a visiting lama in Kechara. Is that lama my guru?
Throughout the year, we may have visiting lamas who give vows, initiations, etc. in Kechara. As part of any vow-giving ceremony or initiation, refuge is bestowed by the lama. Hence from that moment onwards, that lama is one of your gurus.
Seemingly, this contradicts Kechara’s One Lama, One Centre policy but in fact it does not. The lamas who are invited to give vows and initiations in Kechara were all selected and approved by Tsem Rinpoche prior to his parinirvana to give those specific sets of vows, initiations, etc., or by our Protector Dorje Shugden.
Therefore, receiving vows or initiations from visiting lamas as part of an official Kechara ceremony is in accordance with Tsem Rinpoche’s instructions and advice, and does not contradict the One Lama, One Centre policy.
In September 2023, Ven. Chojila, the 7th Panglung Oracle gave the initiation of Trakpo Sumtril in Kechara Forest Retreat. The lamas who are invited to give initiations or vows in Kechara were all selected and approved by Tsem Rinpoche prior to his parinirvana, or by our Protector Dorje Shugden.
In addition, since these ceremonies occurred within Kechara, you should also have taken refuge with Tsem Rinpoche and consider him to be your guru too.
Your root guru is not necessarily the lama who gave you initiation. Rather, he is the one who has made the most impact in your spiritual life, for example by giving you an environment to practise in and access to the teachings.
Other visiting lamas, geshes and monks who give Dharma talks or sharings are neither your root guru or one of your gurus. They are just sharing the Dharma as a spiritual friend. However, you should still treat them with respect according to their position, seniority or the fact that they are Sangha.
Any lama from whom you have received vows or initiations automatically becomes your guru, but is not necessarily your root guru.
7. I received oral transmission from a visiting lama in Kechara. Is that lama my guru?
Oral transmissions are blessings that you receive so that when you practise that particular prayer or mantra, the effect is greater. They do not create a guru-disciple relationship with the lama who gave the oral transmission. Therefore, the visiting lama does not automatically become your guru.
However, if you received vows and initiations from a visiting lama, then that lama is one of your gurus.
Kensur Rinpoche Lobsang Phende has given various oral transmissions in Kechara. Any lama from whom you have received oral transmissions or general teachings do not automatically become your guru, but you should still hold them in high regard and respect them.
8. I took refuge with His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche and consider him to be my root guru. Does this mean that Rinpoche’s next incarnation is my root guru also?
Your guru-disciple relationship is with the 25th Tsem Rinpoche. When his incarnation returns, even though he is the incarnation of your root guru, there is no guru-disciple relationship with him.
In the future, when his incarnation is old enough, you may wish to establish the guru-disciple relationship again, therefore making him your guru also. However, your root guru will always be the 25th Tsem Rinpoche.
Tsem Rinpoche making offerings to the young incarnation of H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. Although the previous Zong Rinpoche was Tsem Rinpoche root guru, the guru-disciple relationship does not automatically continue with the current incarnation.
9. I want to make offerings to my guru. Who do I make offerings to?
You can make offerings to any of your gurus. However, people traditionally make more offerings to their root guru or gurus from whom they have received tantric initiation.
Tsem Rinpoche with some of the flower offerings received on his birthday in 2016.
10. I’m in Kechara, Tsem Rinpoche is my root guru, but I want to go to another centre to receive teachings or blessings. Can I go?
As previously mentioned, it is not advisable to go to other centres or lamas to receive teachings or participate in their activities etc., unless you have experienced the sustained transformational effects accomplished through your own guru’s teachings.
If Tsem Rinpoche is your root guru and you have not experienced transformation on the spiritual path according to how he described, it is not encouraged to go to other centres or seek teachings from other gurus.
This applies regardless of whether you wish to:
- Attend teachings and talks by other gurus
- Receive blessings or make offerings
- Join a puja or activity
- Receive vows or initiations from other lamas
- Seek audience for advice or divination, etc.
Why? All of the above can be found in your own centre. Rinpoche taught that the centre or organisation of your guru, whoever he or she may be, is the best place to receive or join all of the above due to your connection with your guru. Sticking to your guru, what he taught and the institutions and locations he lived and established is a reflection of your understanding and practice of guru devotion.
Representatives of Kechara have an audience with H.E. the 3rd Domo Geshe Rinpoche in 2019. While Rinpoche was still with us, every visit by his close students to monasteries, Dharma centres or other lama’s ladrangs was due to Rinpoche’s instructions and guidance.
Given all of the above, if you believe you would still like to go, you can seek advice first. When Tsem Rinpoche was alive, permission was sought directly from Rinpoche for such matters. However, now that Rinpoche has passed into parinirvana, you can seek advice from Tsem Ladrang, who can recommend what to do following the guidelines set by Rinpoche. You can write in to our team using any of the methods listed below.
“If one guru can fulfil all your needs, fine, you take one guru. If you need another guru to fulfil another aspect, you can take two, three gurus. But all of them are exactly the same. But in order to take the second teacher, you must have the permission of the first. Without the permission of your first teacher, you cannot get teachings from the second. If you do, no attainments will arise. It is respect.”
– Tsem Rinpoche
Conclusion
In summary, the principles of guru devotion are the bedrock of practice within the Vajrayana tradition. As such, understanding what it means to have guru devotion and more importantly, how to practise guru devotion is the key to spiritual progress and gaining attainments along the path to enlightenment. Having more than one guru, attending more than one centre, or receiving many initiations is not a measure of one’s spiritual advancement. In fact, it can be a hindrance. Stick to one guru, attend one centre and practise one tradition to enact transformation. This is the key to a successful spiritual journey.
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For more interesting information:
- Refuge and the Guru
- Excellent Guidelines For Students
- Tsem Ladrang – The House of Devotion
- Complete Commentary on 50 Verses of Guru Devotion
- My Precious Teachers
- Choose your guru always
- My First Guru in New Jersey
- Brief Commentary on 50 Verses of Guru Devotion
- A Poem to My Teacher…
- Mahasiddha Naropa: The Indomitable Disciple
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How about Abhiseka? If a Lama gives us an abhiseka, does it mean he becomes our guru?
Dear Dewi,
Abhisheka is the Sanskrit word for initiation, in the Buddhist context. As explained in the article, if you recieve initiation from a lama, that lama becomes your guru. Hence, yes, if you receive Abhisheka, that lama is your guru.
Thank you.
Greatly appreciate this article and this blog. Perfectly explained by the writers.