Question asked by Tyler
My father had a guru which i liked and was the reason why i am interested and devoted to tibetan buddhism. i have met many times when i was young. unfortunately, he was banned from entering my country. after i knew about the guru-disciple relation, i wanted to be his student. is there any prayers that can help me connect with him so that i can make the karmic cause of becoming his student in the future?
Dear Tyler,
Yes there are things that you can do to create the karmic causes to receive teachings from him in the future. First, you should try to find out if he has a name mantra. If he is a high tulku (reincarnation) then he may have a name mantra that you can recite to create a closer connection to him.
Secondly, depending on which lineage of Tibetan Buddhism he is part of, there will be a general Guru Yoga practice associated with that lineage. You can engage in practice of that particular Guru Yoga, with the strong thought that the deity figure in that Guru Yoga is actually one and the same with your Guru. That will also create a strong connection with not only your Guru but also the particular linage of Tibetan Buddhism he practises. Depending on the situation, your Guru himself may have his own Guru Yoga. For example, here in Kechara, after Tsem Rinpoche entered Parinirvana, the lamas composed a Guru Yoga practice centered around Tsem Rinpoche himself for students to practice.
Another prayer that you can recite is Calling the Guru from Afar. However, different lineages have their own prefered version to use. So you should follow the version as practiced in that specific lineage.
You can also connact that Guru’s centre or Monastery online to find more information about what you can do. Perhaps, your teacher may even be able to give teachings online.
If your teacher is a Gelugpa, then it would be good for you to follow the Lamrim teachings. These are teachings core to the Gelug tradition. In fact, these teachings it states that you can take refuge under a Guru from your heart in front of an altar properly set up and with offerings. Then from that day onwards you can consider that teacher to be your Guru. From then one, you should develop strong Guru devotion towards your teacher.
If your Guru has published materials, you should try to get hold of them, study them and practice them to the best of your ability.
All of these will help in creating a close connection with your teacher.