What is guru yoga in Vajrayana Buddhism?

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 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.

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.

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