Dangerous Friend: The Teacher-Student Relationship in Vajrayana Buddhism

by Rig'Dzin Dorje

Although Tibetan Buddhism continues to grow in popularity, the crucial relationship between teacher and student remains largely misunderstood. Dangerous Friend offers an in-depth exploration of this mysterious and complex bond, a relationship of paramount importance in Tibetan Buddhist practice.According to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the student must have complete trust in the teacher (the "dangerous friend") if he or she is to achieve any understanding. It is the teacher's responsibility to uphold the integrity of the tradition, the basis of which is compassion for all beings, by transmitting it properly to an appropriate student. Likewise, it is the student's responsibility to meet the challenge of carrying on the lineage of teachings. By entering such a relationship, both teacher and student accept the burden of protecting those teachings by understanding them completely and correctly, by practicing them fully and faultlessly, and by transmitting them without omission.Dangerous Friend includes discussions of the following    •  Meeting and recognizing an appropriate teacher.   •  Understanding the gravity of entering the teacher-student relationship.   •  Shifting one's approach from spiritual materialism to genuine Buddhist practice.   •  Accepting the challenge of being truly kind, honest, and courageous.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Religion

146 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 6, 2001

Reviews

[C. Varn · Rating 4 out of 5]

While a lot of the citations are from Aro and Shambala lineage teachers--the later being fairly legitimate points of controversy--this does explain the importance of the teacher-student dynamic in Vajrayana Buddhism without merely asserting it is either a game of blind faith or that it is totally a hold-over of Feudal India and the Himalayas. Using the "The Words of Perfect Teacher" and the Dalai Lama's criterion together, Lama Lig'Dzin Dorge returns the emphasis on the responsibility of testing a teacher in the preliminary phase before taking them as a teacher as well as getting beyond the Sutric and local cultural expectations when doing so. Ultimately, it is a helpful book to deal with in deciding if one should practice Vajrayana and if one does, what criterion should one think of before engaging in the practice. I wish it did deal with abusive guru-student relationships a little more than it does, but overall, it is useful and humbling book.

[Heidi Nummi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on Vajrayana I've ever read. Not for beginners, though.

[Nor'dzin Pamo · Rating 3 out of 5]

An examination of the essential role of the Vajra Master in Vajrayana Buddhism.

[Chicha · Rating 5 out of 5]

My god, the book very amazing...
talk about our relationship with our Master in Spiritualism
very nice because more complicated...so if you ready you can read it..

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome. Helpful.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful read albeit challenging and humbling to fully process in practice. Unveils and clarifies many points of mystery and confusion for new and aspiring students of Vajrayana.