In Tibetan Buddhism, how do teacher and student relate to one another?

The relationship between teacher and students is based on two things – one is the blessings or kindness of the teacher, and the other is the devotion or openness of the students.

When you talk about thug-rje or blessings of lama, mainly it is compassion or affection of teacher.  Generally, in life, there are many different kinds of affection – the affection of parents for children, the affection of friends, of family, and things like that. And this affection of the teacher towards the student, it is very important when you are practicing the Dharma.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Why do lamas reincarnate and what happens when they do?

When the lama dies, he does not want to abandon his students. So to continue this relationship between students and teachers, lamas come back. That is how the system or reincarnate lamas happen.

When a lama passes away, his student try to find his

reincarnation in many ways. Then this young reincarnate lama continues to work with his students from his past life as his own students, sometimes, also even their reincarnations as his students. 

And so this kind of life-after-life continuation of teacher student relationship, that kind of special system is something unique that comes from the lineage of the Karmapas. This connection is something that continues uninterrupted even by death.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Do I have to change my whole life if I become a Dharma practitioner?

Dharma practice does not mean that you have to become someone totally different. We remain essentially the same, and practice is aimed at bringing out the natural positive qualities that are within us.

We have to practice the Dharma within the way we live our lives. When we become Dharma practitioners, we do not have to do totally different things. It does not require that we have to live a totally different life from what we usually live.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

What is the purpose of a precious human life?

It really is about how to conduct in our life in a way that is very meaningful and useful. Not only useful for ourselves, also so that we can be useful to others, do something great, that is beneficial to humankind, not only ourselves.

With this precious human life, we have these opportunities to become a better human being, and we also have the responsibility to become a better human being.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

What are the “common” preliminaries of ngon-dro?

The four common practices, sometimes called the four ways of turning the mind to the Dharma, are precious human life, impermanence and death, samsara, and karma.

 

The first of these is precious human life, and this is something that it is important that is important and useful for everyone, whether they are long-time and senior Dharma practitioners, or new to practice of Buddhism, or not practicing the Dharma at all.

This is something I feel is very important, because understanding this well makes our life meaningful and useful.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

What is ngon-dro and why is it important?

Ngon-dro (pronounced “nun-dro”) is a very traditional teaching and a serious practice. Because it is a traditional and serious teaching, it is difficult to present to beginners who do not know something about the Dharma.

The ngon-dro, translated as “preliminary practice” is divided into two sections – the common and uncommon, or “special” preliminary teachings.

There are four common practices and some of them apply to all human beings, whether they are practicing Dharma or not, because they help us understand how to make our lives meaningful.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje