Chosing the right master

[spanda]

Hi

From what i understood, in Vajrayana tradition, it is important to have a fully prepared master. I remember that I read that the process of "testing" the master (to see if it is a genuine one or a fake one?) before embarking on the path could take even 12 years (!). Is this true? Can someone give me some quotes, or some tittles to read in detail about this?

Thanks

[Malcolm]

Hi

From what i understood, in Vajrayana tradition, it is important to have a fully prepared master. I remember that I read that the process of "testing" the master (to see if it is a genuine one or a fake one?) before embarking on the path could take even 12 years (!). Is this true? Can someone give me some quotes, or some tittles to read in detail about this?

Thanks

Well, in the beginning, a safe bet is to pick a lineage head like HH Dalai Lama, HH Sakya Trizen, one of the Karmapas, etc.

Then, later, when one has more knowledge and so on, one can choose other teachers.

N

[justsit]

Some related information here.

[deff]

i found my root guru through a mirror divination by Lama Dawa - http://lamadawa.com/ - and am very very pleased with the connection i found. if you have faith in the process, i would really suggest it. it's difficult to 'test the guru' though unfortuantely as most lamas are very busy and it's hard to get enough time close to them to examine them to the extent described in certain texts, at least that's what i've found. best of luck in finding your teacher!

[Chaz]

Hi

From what i understood, in Vajrayana tradition, it is important to have a fully prepared master. I remember that I read that the process of "testing" the master (to see if it is a genuine one or a fake one?) before embarking on the path could take even 12 years (!). Is this true? Can someone give me some quotes, or some tittles to read in detail about this?

Thanks

I wouldn't get too worried about finding a teacher for Vajrayana just now. Namdrol's advice is sound. Heed it.

JustSit's link over to the Berzin Archives is good.

You might also consider getting a copy of "Words of My Perfect Teacher" by Patrul Rinpoche at some point, but I'd even wait on that.

[gregkavarnos]

See here for more info - viewtopic.php?f=40&t=3402#p28033