Dharma Wheel

I've heard from different teachers that requesting teachings is always highly meritorious and advantageous to the Bodhisattva path. Even if there is no chance, or potential for that to happen, to just ask is something so profound.

However, I'm wondering about which teachings to ask for! Is it okay to ask for pointing-out instructions when you very first meet a Lama??
Is that also very important and perhaps the highest priority you could ask for as a beginner? What about Bodhicitta vows?

Basically, if you were trapped in an elevator (for only ten minutes) with Chatral Rinpoche or Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche or otherwise your most ultimate possible embodiment of the teachings (assuming you don't have a root lama yet)--what would you request??

The first time I asked for teachings, I simply said to the Lama, "I would like to receive everything you wish to give."

"What do you recommend?"

Nilasarasvati wrote:I've heard from different teachers that requesting teachings is always highly meritorious and advantageous to the Bodhisattva path. Even if there is no chance, or potential for that to happen, to just ask is something so profound.

However, I'm wondering about which teachings to ask for! Is it okay to ask for pointing-out instructions when you very first meet a Lama??
Is that also very important and perhaps the highest priority you could ask for as a beginner? What about Bodhicitta vows?

Basically, if you were trapped in an elevator (for only ten minutes) with Chatral Rinpoche or Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche or otherwise your most ultimate possible embodiment of the teachings (assuming you don't have a root lama yet)--what would you request??

and very good question.

My 2 cents.

When you are in the presence of a Lama of that caliber, or ChNNR, there is no need to ask for anything. They can read you chapter, verse, line, and word. This is how it is.

If you smile, they will smile, and whatever you are needing for your spiritual progress, and usually what you are asking for in your heart, will be given. This is how it is.

If something that you are asking for in your heart, is not given, this means that it is not in the best interest of your spiritual progress, and you let it go.

This is how it is.

As a beginner it is always good to ask for Bodhicitta vows (I took mine from HHDL, under the Bodhi tree at Bod Gaya) and it is always good to ask for, and take, pointing out instruction.

"I would like my mind to be like yours. Please teach me something that will help move me in that direction."

My thinking is you show that yo know something about *them*
by asking for a high teaching from a lineage they hold, specifically.

You might ask a Longchen Nyingtik Lama for the Rigpa Tsal Wang,
a Dudjom Tersar Lama for Throma or Ngang Jang. Of course there
are many possibilities... But one unfortunate outcome is to ask and
hear the Lama say, "I don't know that particular practice."

Nilasarasvati wrote:Basically, if you were trapped in an elevator (for only ten minutes) with Chatral Rinpoche or Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche or otherwise your most ultimate possible embodiment of the teachings (assuming you don't have a root lama yet)--what would you request??

Ground floor

Yeah Lobster I hear that. I think I'd be terrified.

Nilasarasvati wrote:Basically, if you were trapped in an elevator (for only ten minutes) with Chatral Rinpoche or Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche or otherwise your most ultimate possible embodiment of the teachings (assuming you don't have a root lama yet)--what would you request??

I'd ask him if he had any mo-mo's and chang with him because you never know how long you will be trapped. Okay, you say ten minutes, but by the time somebody notices something is wrong, calls the repair company...

In India, you might be there a long time.
...And how many people would you have to bribe to get rescued?

This is not a problem you want to be rescued from.

gregkavarnos wrote:I'd ask him if he had any mo-mo's and chang with him because you never know how long you will be trapped. Okay, you say ten minutes, but by the time somebody notices something is wrong, calls the repair company...

I'm pretty sure Chatral Rinpoche doesn't eat momos. Not sure he drinks chang either.
I bumped into him once. He was alone and I sat on a wall near him not realising it was him at first. I was too scared to say anything.

I'm always intrigued why beginners want to jump from 0 to 60 in six seconds. If one likes to play basketball once and a while and then bumps into Michael Jordan are you going to ask how to win a Championship? Probably not. Remember not everyone is a professional mediator and that's okay. As Pema Chodron reiterates..."Start where you are."

Wait is that directed at my question?

Nilasarasvati wrote:Yeah Lobster I hear that. I think I'd be terrified.

Terrified of not being rescued?
The idea of being stuck in an elevator is not terrifying. Rinpoches are the most innocuous company, unless you are in terror.
So is your question: 'what is the ultimate, most important question that can be asked?'

Perhaps the lift engineer knows . . .

You could request anything, which would be wonderful, but would you be willing to make it profound by unequivocally agreeing to any unexpected practice requirements the lama may unexpectedly asked you commit too? All I am saying is just beware of that possible scenario when requesting teachings, and whether or not you are prepared for that.

michaelb wrote:I'm pretty sure Chatral Rinpoche doesn't eat momos. Not sure he drinks chang either.

Well I guess we will have to go hungry and thirsty while we wait for the repair crew!

wow, good question... these days, I'd probably be too nervous and worried about bothering a Lama with the nonsense that would likely come gushing out of my mouth. I don't think I'd ask for anything & just feel blessed to be there.

But back in the day, i once flew overseas on an impulse to see a Lama... waltzed in and asked if he would ordain me.
Yep. Yep. I was much braver before i heard about protocols!

mandala wrote:I don't think I'd ask for anything & just feel blessed to be there.

Most of the time this is how I have been. Nary a peep out of me.

But not always.

I too have been much braver before I heard about protocols.

When I think now of some of the places and situations that I have "waltzed into" without having the slightest idea what was happening, I cringe.

But those times were what they were. That was then and this now, etc. etc.

Still, your post brought back a number of memories.

Yeti wrote:You could request anything, which would be wonderful, but would you be willing to make it profound by unequivocally agreeing to any unexpected practice requirements the lama may unexpectedly asked you commit too? All I am saying is just beware of that possible scenario when requesting teachings, and whether or not you are prepared for that.

I see. Profound.

Well, if you want or need profound, go for it.

Everybody wants or needs something different.

I'm ordinary.

Have already had plenty of profound in my life.

Good to know how this is viewed though.

Cheers.

MalaBeads wrote:

Yeti wrote:You could request anything, which would be wonderful, but would you be willing to make it profound by unequivocally agreeing to any unexpected practice requirements the lama may unexpectedly asked you commit too? All I am saying is just beware of that possible scenario when requesting teachings, and whether or not you are prepared for that.

I see. Profound.

Well, if you want or need profound, go for it.

Everybody wants or needs something different.

I'm ordinary.

Have already had plenty of profound in my life.

Good to know how this is viewed though.

Cheers.

Profoundly ordinary