Devotion to one’s teacher is the lifeblood of the Vajrayana path. Because the guru can and will use whatever means it takes to wake us up, this relationship may require us to drop our most deeply held beliefs and expectations. Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse addresses some of the most misunderstood aspects of this powerful relationship and gives practical advice on making the most of this precious opportunity for transformation. Through stories and classical examples, he shows how to walk the path with eyes wide open, with critical-thinking skills sharpened and equipped to analyze the guru, before taking the leap.

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, devotion, Dharma books

“The very first entry in the tantra section of the Buddhist canon translated into Tibetan, right before the Kalacakra root tantra, is the Jampal Tsenjod ( 'jam dpal mtshan yang dag par brjod pa ) Professing The Qualities of Manjusri. Presented here, alongside a new translation of the root tantra that seeks to convey its poetic brilliance as a classical masterpiece of world literature, are three original commentaries: two by Indian masters, Vimalamitra and Garab Dorje, and one by the renowned 11th century Tibetan master Rongzom Mahapandita. Together they provide a complete view of the importance of this text within the Nyingma tradition, and for the Vajrayana Buddhist teachings in general.”

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If the translators were the scholar's scholars of Tibet, Chak Lotsawa was what might be called a "translator's translator," and he achieved this state by seeking out texts and teachers in India and Nepal. His biography records that "he mastered the entirety of, in general, the five sciences, and in particular, tantra, linguistics, and logic" as a result of his study with twelve great Indian panditas.4' The story of his travels to India to see the great monasteries (viharas), which he undertook in spite of the dangers of repeated military incursions from Turkey, are well worth reading, and I will tell only one highlight. The climax comes perhaps when Chak discovers the great pandita Rahulasribhadra at Nalanda, deserted by his students. The translator stayed with him to study, hid with him when the soldiers arrived, and eventually carried the aged pandita on his back to safety. One can understand why Sa-pans family prevented him from travelling in India as a youth. There were real dangers to this pursuit of pandityam, but the result, evident in Sa-pans praise of Chak's abilities, could well be worth the risk.

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