What is the fourth factor in devotion as that path?

  4. Always have a pure and admiring attitude.

The fourth is that we should always have a pure, admiring, and loving attitude towards the guru. We need to do whatever our guru demands and accomplish whatever he wishes. There is nothing that is not included in these two.

Primarily the relationship between the guru and disciple is a dharmic one. If the guru tells you to do something worldly and you do not do it, it is probably okay. But if he teaches you something

dharmic and you actually practice it, then this reinforces the connection between the guru and disciple. 

It is important to actually practice the dharma that the guru teaches.

HH 17th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

How long does the relationship with the guru last?

When we have devotion for the guru, it is not just for a single lifetime, but life after life and birth after birth, and we should release ourselves from the binds of hope and

fear.

The relationship with the guru should span many lifetimes, but if we do not do any of the dharma practices, then it will be difficult to follow him from life to life.

HH 17th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

What can we expect from our relationship with the guru?

3. Resolve to stop expecting or worrying.

We should not have expectations, nor hope to get something out of our relationship with the guru as if it were a business deal. 

We should recognize that our own devotion is our responsibility--a task that we must undertake ourselves. It should not be the case that if the lama treats us in one way we will have devotion and if he treats us in another, we will not.

HH 17th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

In cultivating devotion, how should one regard the guru?

2. Think that everything the guru does is positive.

The second point is from a positive point of view: we should see everything the guru does as a quality and as an opportunity to train our minds. I think this is the basic meaning. So no matter what the connection between the guru and disciple, do not let it go to waste. See everything that happens as a way to train the mind and improve oneself. Look for the opportunity to do that.

Basically, the trust between the guru and disciple should be indestructible; it should be stable and lasting, and something to have true confidence in. Even in society, when a man and woman really love each other, their connection cannot be harmed or destroyed by any other circumstance. It is like a vajra rock.

HH 17th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

What does it mean to not find fault with the guru?

1. Do not think of the guru’s faults.

There is a difference between what is taught in the texts and reality. If we examine the situation carefully, no one is wholly positive or negative: everyone has a mixture of faults and qualities. So it is hard to find a perfect guru. It is not like we can take the text in our hands and go looking for the perfect guru, comparing him with the text, ticking off qualities: he has got this one, he has got that one. We cannot do that.

It is also important to understand the purpose and reasons for serving the guru. For example, when bees collect pollen from flowers, they know exactly what their task is and they do it perfectly. In this example, the guru is like the flower and the captivating qualities of the guru’s mind are like the pollen that must be retrieved. Moreover, when bees collect pollen from flowers, the colour of the flower is irrelevant, nor does it matter if the flower is beautiful or not. The most important thing is the pollen that they need to obtain. 

We should become close to the spiritual master and cultivate a mutual connection with them. 

HH 17th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

What is required to take devotion as the path?

In particular there are four points for taking devotion as the path:

1. Do not think of the guru’s faults.

2. Think that everything the guru does is positive.

3. Resolve to stop expecting or worrying.

4. Always have a pure and admiring attitude.

HH 17th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Is it necessary to do all the things in the Guru Yoga text?

In the Guru Yoga section, there were many things said about the topic of the lama—many things about how to meditate upon Guru Yoga. 

But actually there are different types of individuals with varying capacities, and in particular there are those people who are appropriate vessels for practicing the Secret Mantra Vajrayana. Such people should be able to practice according to all the special instructions that are given in the text. 

But it is difficult for everyone to be able to do exactly as is written in this text and I do not think it is even necessary to do that. And this is an important point to understand.

HH 17th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje