44 Why Gurus Appear in Ordinary Form and Dorje Khadro Practice 30-Sept-2004

(00:00:00) While we have the opportunity, we must ensure to attain higher rebirth and continue practicing Dharma in future lives, ultimately achieving enlightenment.

(00:08:43) Rinpoche gives a teaching on why gurus appear in ordinary form to guide sentient beings as an introduction to the oral transmission of Calling Guru From Afar. Even though enlightened beings like the Buddha or Milarepa may appear ordinary due to our impure perception, they are in truth fully awakened. Because as we don’t have the karma to see the buddhas directly, they appear in the form of our ordinary-looking guru to guide us. So the guru is not separate from the buddha, but is the actual manifestation through which all the buddhas’ activities reach us.

(00:57:49) Rinpoche starts the oral transmission of Calling Guru From Afar and gives commentaries to each stanza.

(01:16:45) Rinpoche gives the oral transmission of Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga.

(01:19:38) Rinpoche gives commentaries on Dorje Khadro and Sur practices and gives oral transmission of Sur practice.

(01:28:37) Rinpoche gives the oral transmission of Dorje Khadro practice.

(01:30:50) Rinpoche teaches on the benefits of Dorje Khadro practice, which is a special practice done by Lama Tsongkhapa himself. Dorje Khadro practice involves visualizing oneself as the deity, offering sesame seeds that represent negativities transformed into scorpion shapes, burning them in the mouth of Vajra Daka while sealing the practice with emptiness like a dream, thus purifying heavy karma and obstacles, and generating vast merit for oneself and all sentient beings.

(01:43:14) Rinpoche gives the oral transmission of his name mantra and the group does dedications.

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004.