What is the defect of being a leaky vessel?

The defect of being a leaky vessel is to fail to retain what is being taught. This is like a pot with a hole, so that no matter how much water is poured into the pot, eventually all the water will leak out, and not so much as a drop will remain for future use. 

This means that one's body is present, one attempts to listen to what is said, but makes no effort to retain what is being taught. Therefore, when later one needs to use the instructions in practice, one will have no recollection.

His Holiness, 17th Gyalwang Karmapa

Ogyen Trinley Dorje

From teaching on Torch of Certainty
by Jamgon Lodro Thaye 

at 31st Kagyu Monlam

Session 3