Deity Yoga - Yidam (1/3)

 

What is deity yoga in Vajrayana Buddhism? 

Deity yoga is a practice found in Tibetan Buddhism involving visualisations that have the normative goal of “becoming one” with a supernatural being. During the practice, practitioners report experiencing that their own body transforms into the body of the deity.

Deity yoga engages creative visualisation as a skillful means of personal transformation through which the practitioner (sadhaka) visualises a chosen deity (Yidam) as part of a mandala or refuge tree in order to transform their experience of the appearance aspect of reality. 

The fundamental practice of Vajrayana and Tibetan tantra is deity yoga (devatayoga), meditation on a chosen deity or "cherished divinity" (Tibetan: Yidam), which involves the recitation of mantras, prayers, and visualisation of the deity, the associated mandala of the deity's Buddha field, along with consorts and attendant Buddhas and bodhisattvas. According to the Tibetan scholars, deity yoga is what separates Tantra from Sutra practice. 

In the Unsurpassed Yoga Tantras, the most widespread tantric form in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, this method is divided into two stages: 

In Vajrayana, there appear to be many different types and stages of mediation as well. One form is called "generation stage meditation,"  also known as utpattikrama. What exactly is "generation stage meditation" and how is it practiced?

1) The generation stage (utpatti-krama) 

In the generation stage, one dissolves one's reality into emptiness and meditates on the deity-mandala, resulting in identification with this divine reality. 

What is the generation stage in Vajrayana Buddhism?

The generation stage or creation phase (Tibetan : bskyed rim) (Sanskrit : utpatti-krama), also known as "the phase of imagination" and "the yoga of fabrications," the first phase of tantric deity yoga in the Unsurpassed Yoga Tantra of the later schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It also equates to the Mahayoga of the Nyingma school.

2) The completion stage (nispanna-krama).

In the completion stage, the divine image and the subtle body are applied to the realisation of luminous emptiness.

What is the completion stage in Vajrayana Buddhism?

The completion stage Then look directly at the meditating mind. All that is meditated upon will vanish into emptiness. The second part, the completion stage, is as follows: by looking directly at the mind that is meditating, all that was previously visualized dissolves into emptiness.

What is the completion stage with marks?

Completion stage with marks' means yogic practices such as tummo, inner heat.

What is the completion stage without marks?

The completion stage without marks' is the practice of Dzogchen and Mahamudra.

*Footnote

For those who have received the empowerment of this Tantric practise, you are reminded not to intentionally or unintentionally disclose the mantra to the public or anyone who may not have the empowerment or permission to practise, and disclosing the mantra intentionally or unintentionally is a form of breaking your Tantric Samaya vows to the lineage masters and Dharma protectors.

Please consult your Guru or a qualified lineage master for Vajrayana practise! Should a devotee even want to start studying and contemplating the Vajrayana practise, then it is truly necessary to first have completed the preliminaries and to be certain that Bodhicitta has arisen and developed in one’s mind. 

Vajrayana features countless skillful and powerful methods that, if practised in the proper way, can make the process of accumulation and purification incredibly swift and direct. It is absolutely necessary to have pure motivation and to know that Vajrayana practise is not carried out to increase one’s own ego, power, or self-interest.  

Donations for our Buddhist research and development

Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?

We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in 2008, we have been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 14 years. We have exceptionally constrained support and do not receive subsidies or funding from people in general.

 

Please help us develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you but all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us enhance our work and accomplish more for a better and brighter future.

 

Thank you for reading. May you find peace and great bliss. With your support, it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turn the Dharma wheels in the world.

 

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease.

But increase further and further.

 

Dedication of Merit

By this merit, may we then obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrongdoings

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

 

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright on the picture(s).

Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and/or studios

The picture(s) are intended for editorial use only.

Five Methods of Practicing Guru Yoga - Unexcelled Innermost Secret (5/5)

 

Unless the sun of devotion shines, pleasevisitandandthe and

Upon the snow peak of the master’s four kayas,

The stream of blessings will never fall.

So strive to arouse devotion in your mind!

What is guru yoga in Vajrayana Buddhism?

Guru yoga literally means uniting with the guru. It is the practice in which we try to merge our pure mind and consciousness with the guru's pure mind. Philosophically, our pure mind is the Buddha's mind, and so is everyone's and every living being's pure mind, including the gurus.

What is the ps a teacher who is the holder of the lineage.

2) Gyalwa Ka Yi Lama is the teacher, which is the word of the Buddha. 

What is the importance of a yoga guru?

The yoga guru will teach you about yoga philosophy. Also, yoga instructors should be familiar with the ancient Hindu language (Sanskrit) terminology used in their chosen form of practice, the purpose and benefits of the practice, and how to alter postures and techniques to suit the practitioner.

What is the difference between a yoga teacher and a yoga guru?

A guru is one or something that takes one from darkness to light in a spiritual sense. A guru does not need to do or know yoga. A yoga teacher teaches yoga. 

What is the benefit of a guru?

The four benefits of having a Guru: wisdom, progress, achievement, and liberation.

Guru yoga, in the Buddhist philosophy of yoga, is the practice of devotion to a guru in which an individual links their own personal Buddha-nature and mind to that of his or her guru. The result of this practice is unity with one's spiritual master and receiving the blessing and inspiration of spiritual wisdom.

In Vajrayana, guru yoga is a tantric devotional practice in which the practitioner unites their mindstream with the mindstream of the body, speech, and mind of their guru. Guru yoga is akin to deity yoga since the guru (who can be a Buddha, a historical figure like Padmasambhava, or a living person) is visualised in the same manner as with a meditational deity. 

The process of guru yoga may entail the visualisation of a refuge tree as an invocation of the lineage, with the 'root guru' channelling the blessings of the entire lineage to the practitioner. The guru may be visualized as above the meditator, in front of them, or in their heart. Guru yoga may also include a liturgy, prayer, or mantra, such as the "Seven Line Prayer" of Padmasambhava. 

As in other Buddhist traditions, an attitude of reverence for the teacher, or guru, is highly prized. A guru, or lama, is seen as an essential guide during tantric practice. Without the guru's example, blessings, and guidance, genuine progress in tantra is held to be impossible for all but the most keen and gifted. One particular feature of the Tantric view of the teacher-student relationship is that in Tibetan Buddhist tantra, one is instructed to regard one's guru as an awakened Buddha

*Five Ways of Practicing Guru Yoga 

5. Unexcelled Innermost Secret Guru Yoga: Primordial Purity and Spontaneous Presence.

What is the essence of the guru? The guru is primordially pure and primordially unborn. What are the excellent qualities of the guru? They are spontaneously present. The guru’s knowledge, love, and capacity are spontaneously present; they’ve been there since beginningless, primordial time. 

You need to understand these two: primordial purity and spontaneous presence. You need to understand, “These have never been separate or apart from me. My own mind is primordially pure. My own mind is spontaneously present. This is it—it is the guru. I’ve never been separated from these qualities.” 

Understanding primordial purity and spontaneous presence and being able to rest in equipoise within that state is the unexcelled innermost guru yoga.  Just visualising, imagining the guru dissolving into you—their enlightened body and what you think of as your own dirty, impure body mixing together—we can’t do that, right? 

Why? Because it won’t work—you can’t mix something clean with something that is dirty. So we need to understand that our own minds are primordially pure in essence and that all the excellent, enlightened qualities are spontaneously present within our own minds. Remaining vivid and aware in that state of recognition is the unexcelled innermost secret of guru yoga. 

*Footnote

For those who have received the empowerment of this Tantric practise, you are reminded not to intentionally or unintentionally disclose the mantra to the public or anyone who may not have the empowerment or permission to practise, and disclosing the mantra intentionally or unintentionally is a form of breaking your Tantric Samaya vows to the lineage masters and Dharma protectors.

Please consult your Guru or a qualified lineage master for Vajrayana practise! Should a devotee even want to start studying and contemplating the Vajrayana practise, then it is truly necessary to first have completed the preliminaries and to be certain that Bodhicitta has arisen and developed in one’s mind. 

Vajrayana features countless skillful and powerful methods that, if practised in the proper way, can make the process of accumulation and purification incredibly swift and direct. It is absolutely necessary to have pure motivation and to know that Vajrayana practise is not carried out to increase one’s own ego, power, or self-interest.  

Donations for our Buddhist research and development

Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?

We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in 2008, we have been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 14 years. We have exceptionally constrained support and do not receive subsidies or funding from people in general.

 

Please help us develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you but all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us enhance our work and accomplish more for a better and brighter future.

 

Thank you for reading. May you find peace and great bliss. With your support, it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turn the Dharma wheels in the world.

 

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease.

But increase further and further.

 

Dedication of Merit

By this merit, may we then obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrongdoings

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

 

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright on the picture(s).

Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and/or studios

The picture(s) are intended for editorial use only.

Five Methods of Practicing Guru Yoga - Innermost Secret (4/5)

Ucheyma, The Headless Vajrayogini 

Unless the sun of devotion shines,

Upon the snow peak of the master’s four kayas,

The stream of blessings will never fall.

So strive to arouse devotion in your mind!

What is guru yoga in Vajrayana Buddhism?

Guru yoga literally means uniting with the guru. It is the practice in which we try to merge our pure mind and consciousness with the guru's pure mind. Philosophically, our pure mind is the Buddha's mind, and so is everyone's and every living being's pure mind, including the gurus.

What is the purpose of Guru Yoga?

In Vajrayana, guru yoga is a tantric devotional practice in which the practitioner unites their mindstream with the mindstream of the body, speech, and mind of their guru.

What is the meaning of a yoga guru? 

As you might know, the word guru comes from two Sanskrit words, Gu, meaning darkness, and Ru, meaning dispeller or remover. Therefore, the literal meaning of the word guru is athe one who dispels darkness“Beautiful, isn't it? In yoga, when you come to asana practice or meditation, the Yoga Guru is your teacher.

What does Guru mean in Vajrayana Buddhism?

There are four kinds of Lama (Guru), or spiritual teachers, in Tibetan Buddhism:

1) Gangzak Gyüpe Lama is a teacher who is the holder of the lineage.

2) Gyalwa Ka Yi Lama is the teacher, which is the word of the Buddha. 

What is the importance of a yoga guru?

The yoga guru will teach you about yoga philosophy. Also, yoga instructors should be familiar with the ancient Hindu language (Sanskrit) terminology used in their chosen form of practice, the purpose and benefits of the practice, and how to alter postures and techniques to suit the practitioner.

What is the difference between a yoga teacher and a yoga guru?

A guru is one or something that takes one from darkness to light in a spiritual sense. A guru does not need to do or know yoga. A yoga teacher teaches yoga.

What is the benefit of a guru?

The four benefits of having a Guru: wisdom, progress, achievement, and liberation.

Guru yoga, in the Buddhist philosophy of yoga, is the practice of devotion to a guru in which an individual links their own personal Buddha-nature and mind to that of his or her guru. The result of this practice is unity with one's spiritual master and receiving the blessing and inspiration of spiritual wisdom.

In Vajrayana, guru yoga is a tantric devotional practice in which the practitioner unites their mindstream with the mindstream of the body, speech, and mind of their guru. Guru yoga is akin to deity yoga since the guru (who can be a Buddha, a historical figure like Padmasambhava, or a living person) is visualised in the same manner as with a meditational deity. 

The process of guru yoga may entail the visualisation of a refuge tree as an invocation of the lineage, with the 'root guru' channelling the blessings of the entire lineage to the practitioner. The guru may be visualized as above the meditator, in front of them, or in their heart. Guru yoga may also include a liturgy, prayer, or mantra, such as the "Seven Line Prayer" of Padmasambhava. 

As in other Buddhist traditions, an attitude of reverence for the teacher, or guru, is highly prized. A guru, or lama, is seen as an essential guide during tantric practice. Without the guru's example, blessings, and guidance, genuine progress in tantra is held to be impossible for all but the most keen and gifted. One particular feature of the Tantric view of the teacher-student relationship is that in Tibetan Buddhist tantra, one is instructed to regard one's guru as an awakened Buddha. 

*Five Ways of Practicing Guru Yoga 

4) Innermost Secret Guru Yoga: Resting Uncontrived in Equipoise

Resting in equipoise. You leave your mind completely uncontrived, unfabricated, unaltered, and totally at ease. This is the innermost secret of guru yoga. 

The Nyingtik Teachings

The Nyingtik teachings are the innermost secret teachings of Dzogchen. The Dzogchen teachings were revealed to Prahevajra (Tibetan: Garab Dorje) by Vajrasattva, and passed down through an unbroken lineage to present day masters. Within the Dzogchen teachings, there are three categories of teachings suitable for students of different capacities. The Nyingtik is the innermost secret cycle of teachings in the Category of Pith Instructions; this cycle is the most direct approach for students of the highest capacity.

The innermost secret guru practice of the Longchen Nyingtik cycle focuses on Longchen Rabjam and is considered an indispensable preliminary to Dzogchen practice. Jigme Lingpa revealed the practice some time around 1761, during his second three-year retreat, then kept it secret for five years.

*Footnote

For those who have received the empowerment of this Tantric practise, you are reminded not to intentionally or unintentionally disclose the mantra to the public or anyone who may not have the empowerment or permission to practise, and disclosing the mantra intentionally or unintentionally is a form of breaking your Tantric Samaya vows to the lineage masters and Dharma protectors.

Please consult your Guru or a qualified lineage master for Vajrayana practise! Should a devotee even want to start studying and contemplating the Vajrayana practise, then it is truly necessary to first have completed the preliminaries and to be certain that Bodhicitta has arisen and developed in one’s mind.
 
Vajrayana features countless skillful and powerful methods that, if practised in the proper way, can make the process of accumulation and purification incredibly swift and direct. It is absolutely necessary to have pure motivation and to know that Vajrayana practise is not carried out to increase one’s own ego, power, or self-interest.  

Donations for our Buddhist research and development

Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?

We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in 2008, we have been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 14 years. We have exceptionally constrained support and do not receive subsidies or funding from people in general.

 

Please help us develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you but all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us enhance our work and accomplish more for a better and brighter future.

 

Thank you for reading. May you find peace and great bliss. With your support, it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turn the Dharma wheels in the world.

 

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease.

But increase further and further.

 

Dedication of Merit

By this merit, may we then obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrongdoings

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

 

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright on the picture(s).

Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and/or studios

The picture(s) are intended for editorial use only.

Five Methods of Practicing Guru Yoga - Secret (3/5)

Simhamukha Dakini

Unless the sun of devotion shines,

Upon the snow peak of the master’s four kayas,

The stream of blessings will never fall.

So strive to arouse devotion in your mind!

What is guru yoga in Vajrayana Buddhism?

Guru yoga literally means uniting with the guru. It is the practice in which we try to merge our pure mind and consciousness with the guru's pure mind. Philosophically, our pure mind is the Buddha's mind, and so is everyone's and every living being's pure mind, including the gurus.

What is the purpose of Guru Yoga?

In Vajrayana, guru yoga is a tantric devotional practice in which the practitioner unites their mindstream with the mindstream of the body, speech, and mind of their guru.

What is the meaning of a yoga guru?

As you might know, the word guru comes from two Sanskrit words, Gu, meaning darkness, and Ru, meaning dispeller or remover. Therefore, the literal meaning of the word guru is athe one who dispels darkness“Beautiful, isn't it? In yoga, when you come to asana practice or meditation, the Yoga Guru is your teacher.

What does Guru mean in Vajrayana Buddhism?

There are four kinds of Lama (Guru), or spiritual teachers, in Tibetan Buddhism:

1) Gangzak Gyüpe Lama is a teacher who is the holder of the lineage.

2) Gyalwa Ka Yi Lama is the teacher, which is the word of the Buddha. 

Ucheyma Headless Vajrayogini 

What is the importance of a yoga guru?

The yoga guru will teach you about yoga philosophy. Also, yoga instructors should be familiar with the ancient Hindu language (Sanskrit) terminology used in their chosen form of practice, the purpose and benefits of the practice, and how to alter postures and techniques to suit the practitioner.

What is the difference between a yoga teacher and a yoga guru?

A guru is one or something that takes one from darkness to light in a spiritual sense. A guru does not need to do or know yoga. A yoga teacher teaches yoga.

What is the benefit of a guru?

The four benefits of having a Guru: wisdom, progress, achievement, and liberation.

Guru yoga, in the Buddhist philosophy of yoga, is the practice of devotion to a guru in which an individual links their own personal Buddha-nature and mind to that of his or her guru. The result of this practice is unity with one's spiritual master and receiving the blessing and inspiration of spiritual wisdom.

In Vajrayana, guru yoga is a tantric devotional practice in which the practitioner unites their mindstream with the mindstream of the body, speech, and mind of their guru. Guru yoga is akin to deity yoga since the guru (who can be a Buddha, a historical figure like Padmasambhava, or a living person) is visualised in the same manner as with a meditational deity. 

The process of guru yoga may entail the visualisation of a refuge tree as an invocation of the lineage, with the 'root guru' channelling the blessings of the entire lineage to the practitioner. The guru may be visualized as above the meditator, in front of them, or in their heart. Guru yoga may also include a liturgy, prayer, or mantra, such as the "Seven Line Prayer" of Padmasambhava. 

As in other Buddhist traditions, an attitude of reverence for the teacher, or guru, is highly prized. A guru, or lama, is seen as an essential guide during tantric practice. Without the guru's example, blessings, and guidance, genuine progress in tantra is held to be impossible for all but the most keen and gifted. One particular feature of the Tantric view of the teacher-student relationship is that in Tibetan Buddhist tantra, one is instructed to regard one's guru as an awakened Buddha. 

Vajravarahi Dakini

*Five Ways of Practicing Guru Yoga 

3) Secret Guru Yoga: Meditating on the Guru and Yourself as Indivisible

Whoever the guru may be, you think you’ve now attained all of their blessings through receiving the four empowerments, as was just explained, and the guru now dissolves into yourself through the central channel on the crown of your head. By doing so, the guru’s enlightened body and your body, the guru’s enlightened speech and your speech, and the guru’s enlightened mind and your mind have become completely indivisible and inseparable, and you remain within that state. 

Thirdly, in secret Guru Yoga, you respect the outer Guru and inner Guru; the outside body, speech, and mind are blessings, and your body, speech, and mind are doing mantras; thinking of Guru Rinpoche and dedicating that all sentient beings reach the great liberation the same as Guru Rinpoche.

Secretly, if you don’t understand the outer or inner, you pray to Guru Rinpoche. Sometimes you pray in a strong way, and sometimes you even cry. Then don’t think of the past or future; our problem is that we are in Samsara suffering and have ignorance. Guru Rinpoche will help. You look at your mind and do union meditation.

It is important to do the Guru Rinpoche mantra because all mantras are his. You do (1,200,000) as the foundation. Otherwise, there are many religions and lineages that you don’t understand. You go to different places, here and there. You lose time, and many years go by. If you are doing this now, then Guru Yoga is what is important to do now.

*Footnote

For those who have received the empowerment of this Tantric practise, you are reminded not to intentionally or unintentionally disclose the mantra to the public or anyone who may not have the empowerment or permission to practise, and disclosing the mantra intentionally or unintentionally is a form of breaking your Tantric Samaya vows to the lineage masters and Dharma protectors.

Please consult your Guru or a qualified lineage master for Vajrayana practise! Should a devotee even want to start studying and contemplating the Vajrayana practise, then it is truly necessary to first have completed the preliminaries and to be certain that Bodhicitta has arisen and developed in one’s mind.
 
Vajrayana features countless skillful and powerful methods that, if practised in the proper way, can make the process of accumulation and purification incredibly swift and direct. It is absolutely necessary to have pure motivation and to know that Vajrayana practise is not carried out to increase one’s own ego, power, or self-interest.  

Donations for our Buddhist research and development

Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?

We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in 2008, we have been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 14 years. We have exceptionally constrained support and do not receive subsidies or funding from people in general.

 

Please help us develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you but all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us enhance our work and accomplish more for a better and brighter future.

 

Thank you for reading. May you find peace and great bliss. With your support, it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turn the Dharma wheels in the world.

 

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease.

But increase further and further.

 

Dedication of Merit

By this merit, may we then obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrongdoings

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

 

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright on the picture(s).

Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and/or studios

The picture(s) are intended for editorial use only.

Five Methods of Practicing Guru Yoga - Inner (2/5)

Unless the sun of devotion shines,

Upon the snow peak of the master’s four kayas,

The stream of blessings will never fall.

So strive to arouse devotion in your mind!

What is guru yoga in Vajrayana Buddhism?

Guru yoga literally means uniting with the guru. It is the practice in which we try to merge our pure mind and consciousness with the guru's pure mind. Philosophically, our pure mind is the Buddha's mind, and so is everyone's and every living being's pure mind, including the gurus.

What is the purpose of Guru Yoga?

In Vajrayana, guru yoga is a tantric devotional practice in which the practitioner unites their mindstream with the mindstream of the body, speech, and mind of their guru.

What is the meaning of a yoga guru?

As you might know, the word guru comes from two Sanskrit words, Gu, meaning darkness, and Ru, meaning dispeller or remover. Therefore, the literal meaning of the word guru is „the one who dispels darkness“Beautiful, isn't it? In yoga, when you come to asana practice or meditation, the Yoga Guru is your teacher.

What does Guru mean in Vajrayana Buddhism?

There are four kinds of Lama (Guru), or spiritual teachers, in Tibetan Buddhism:

1) Gangzak Gyüpe Lama is a teacher who is the holder of the lineage.

2) Gyalwa Ka Yi Lama is the teacher, which is the word of the Buddha. 

What is the importance of a yoga guru?

The yoga guru will teach you about yoga philosophy. Also, yoga instructors should be familiar with the ancient Hindu language (Sanskrit) terminology used in their chosen form of practice, the purpose and benefits of the practice, and how to alter postures and techniques to suit the practitioner.

What is the difference between a yoga teacher and a yoga guru?

A guru is one or something that takes one from darkness to light in a spiritual sense. A guru does not need to do or know yoga. A yoga teacher teaches yoga.

What is the benefit of a guru?

The four benefits of having a Guru: wisdom, progress, achievement, and liberation.

Guru yoga, in the Buddhist philosophy of yoga, is the practice of devotion to a guru in which an individual links their own personal Buddha-nature and mind to that of his or her guru. The result of this practice is unity with one's spiritual master and receiving the blessing and inspiration of spiritual wisdom.

In Vajrayana, guru yoga is a tantric devotional practice in which the practitioner unites their mindstream with the mindstream of the body, speech, and mind of their guru. Guru yoga is akin to deity yoga since the guru (who can be a Buddha, a historical figure like Padmasambhava, or a living person) is visualised in the same manner as with a meditational deity. 

The process of guru yoga may entail the visualisation of a refuge tree as an invocation of the lineage, with the 'root guru' channelling the blessings of the entire lineage to the practitioner. The guru may be visualized as above the meditator, in front of them, or in their heart. Guru yoga may also include a liturgy, prayer, or mantra, such as the "Seven Line Prayer" of Padmasambhava.

As in other Buddhist traditions, an attitude of reverence for the teacher, or guru, is highly prized. A guru, or lama, is seen as an essential guide during tantric practice. Without the guru's example, blessings, and guidance, genuine progress in tantra is held to be impossible for all but the most keen and gifted. One particular feature of the Tantric view of the teacher-student relationship is that in Tibetan Buddhist tantra, one is instructed to regard one's guru as an awakened Buddha. 

*Five Ways of Practicing Guru Yoga

2) Inner Guru Yoga: Recitation and receiving the four empowerments.

Inner guru yoga is mantra recitation for the guru, so if the guru is Guru Rinpoche, then we recite the Vajra Guru mantra and visualize receiving the four empowerments from the Guru visualized in space before us. 

First, from the white OM in the guru’s forehead, white light-rays radiate out and strike our own foreheads so that we attain the blessings of an enlightened body. Then, from the guru’s throat, from a red AH, red light-rays radiate out and strike our throat so that we attain the blessings of enlightened speech.

Then, from the blue letter HUNG in the guru’s heart centre, blue light-rays radiate out and strike out the heart centre so that we attain the blessings of an enlightened mind. Then, for the fourth empowerment, there are two different traditions: one is to visualise yellow light-rays radiating out from the letter HRIH in the guru’s navel, and another is to visualise white, red, and blue light-rays radiating out simultaneously from all three syllables (OM, AH, and HUNG). With these light rays striking you, you imagine that primordial wisdom has been born within your stream of being. You have then received the four empowerments, blessing you with an enlightened body, speech, mind, and primordial wisdom. 

*Footnote

For those who have received the empowerment of this Tantric practise, you are reminded not to intentionally or unintentionally disclose the mantra to the public or anyone who may not have the empowerment or permission to practise, and disclosing the mantra intentionally or unintentionally is a form of breaking your Tantric Samaya vows to the lineage masters and Dharma protectors.

Please consult your Guru or a qualified lineage master for Vajrayana practise! Should a devotee even want to start studying and contemplating the Vajrayana practise, then it is truly necessary to first have completed the preliminaries and to be certain that Bodhicitta has arisen and developed in one’s mind.
 
Vajrayana features countless skillful and powerful methods that, if practised in the proper way, can make the process of accumulation and purification incredibly swift and direct. It is absolutely necessary to have pure motivation and to know that Vajrayana practise is not carried out to increase one’s own ego, power, or self-interest.  

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Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease.

But increase further and further.

 

Dedication of Merit

By this merit, may we then obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrongdoings

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

 

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