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

From Buddhist perspective, should we think about the environment?

We have done lots of harmful things that are harming the environment, in order to bring comfort and benefits for the time being. But these actions have caused problems for the long-term.

The world that we live in, we should not be exploiting it for some temporary benefit now, but we should consider it our mother. The mother who has given us all well-being and all the necessary conditions for living, we need to nurture that mother, take care of her, rather than just consider that she is a material thing that we can always take from and use up. 

We need to consider how much this planet nurtures us; generation-to-generation we need this loving mother of the environment, the planet, to be healthy and well, so it continues to nurture us.

His Holiness, 17^th Gyalwang Karmapa

Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Mahamudra Teaching, Nurburing, Germany

What is the main objective of the practice of Dharma?

The main objective or purpose of practice of Dharma is to transform, train, the mind, to do something about the mind. That is the basic purpose and objective of practice of Dharma. Other results come as a extra benefit, not as a focus of the main practice.

Everything in the Dharma is geared toward transforming the mind – that is the most crucial or essential part of the practice of Dharma.

His Holiness, 17^th Gyalwang Karmapa

Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Mahamudra Teaching, Nurburing, Germany

I’ve read about people who cured being sick or gained a lot of wealth by practicing Dharma – is that the purpose of Dharma?

Some people think that all the problems in their life can be solved by the Dharma. For example, if you are sick, then if you practice Dharma, that will cure you. If you have economic (financial) problems, you practice Dharma and all your economic problems will be solved. Things like this, many people have expectations like this.

The purpose of practice of Dharma is not to solve these kinds of life problems. It is difficult for the Dharma to solve these kinds of problems. I feel that the purpose of the practice of Dharma is to get rid of and solve the most basic problems of life, to address the most important problems of life.

Many people, even if we are healthy, even if we have good financial conditions, even if we are successful, that does not satisfy us or fulfill us. We can still feel lonely, empty, or unhappy.

It is these kinds of problems or sicknesses of the mind, these things can be solved by practice of the Dharma.

His Holiness, 17^th Gyalwang Karmapa

Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Mahamudra Teaching, Nurburing, Germany

It seems to me Buddhism is kind of magical, that it can solve all my problems – is that realistic?

Many people feel that the Tibetan Buddhism practice is a little magical or miraculous. They believe that if you receive an empowerment and practice, then something happens and solves all your problems immediately. In the same way, when you hear about Mahamudra, they think there is something special – that miraculously, everything is solved.

People have these kinds of wrong expectations about practicing Buddhism.

It is quite impossible that just because the Dharma, all of your problems in life can be solved.

His Holiness, 17^th Gyalwang Karmapa

Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Mahamudra Teaching, Nurburing, Germany