DISCOVERING BUDDHISM: The Spiritual Teacher
(HYBRID) What qualities must a spiritual teacher have? How do we find a guru? Discover how to be devoted without going astray, and how to flourish on your spiritual path.
Take the time to investigate the role of the teacher on the spiritual path: the need for a teacher, the qualities to look for in a teacher, the responsibilities of the student, and how to relate to a teacher for greatest benefit in one’s spiritual life. Consider the challenges we face when thinking of entering into a “guru-disciple” relationship and learn how to overcome these skilfully.
“My suggestion is that before you look for a guru or make a connection to a guru, study well what is mentioned in the lamrim as to how to correctly follow and devote to the virtuous friend. Otherwise, if you make mistakes with the guru, it’s like jumping into quicksand.”
Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Just as you cannot learn to drive from a book, you need an instructor on the spiritual path that can keep you safe from danger and tutor you personally according to your disposition. They need not be accomplished in anything else – but by putting our trust in someone else we need a set of guidelines to ensure that our ultimate welfare is looked after and nurtured. As a student we also need to practice a skilful devotion, not a blind faith.
Topics in this course include:
- What is a spiritual teacher, lama or guru?
- How do we find a teacher?
- Qualifications of a valid teacher, what to look for
- Responsibilities and behaviour of the student
- We why need a teacher, and how to relate in a healthy way
- How to devote oneself in both thought and action
- What to do if things get difficult
- Importance of respecting teachers from all traditions
“The blessings of buddhas cannot be received without a guru. The benefit of correctly practicing guru devotion is that it liberates you from oceans of samsaric sufferings and brings you to enlightenment. By pleasing the guru your negative karma is burned up in a second.”
Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Event Details
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*Course Package includes both video and soundfile of each class (to catch-up or re-listen), the powerpoint slides, the reading material from FPMT as well as extras from LTC.
About Discovering Buddhism
The Discovering Buddhism is the core program of LTC. It consists of 13 units, but you are most welcome to join at any time. It takes about three years to complete the full cycle and the associated activities. Many people enjoy the program so much they attend subsequent cycles! We invite you to come along to a couple of classes and see how the program suits you. More details here.
Join Event on Zoom
This is a hybrid event, held both in-person in the gompa and online on Zoom. Zoom meeting starts 10 minutes before event start time.
Upcoming In-depth Classes…
Lamrim Chenmo: Insight Chapter
DISCOVERING BUDDHISM: Samsara and Nirvana
DISCOVERING BUDDHISM: The Spiritual Teacher