Dangerous Friend
The Teacher-Student Relationship in Vajrayana Buddhism
By Rig’dzin Dorje
A lively, sharp and engaging argument for the prominence of the
vajra master (Tantric Lama) as the most important
feature of Vajrayana. Ngala
Rig’dzin Dorje sets out to counter the ‘Conference
Buddhism’ movement which he exposes as attempting to replace the
Lama with ‘the collective wisdom of the Sangha’. By both
exposing the current impetus within Western Buddhism and explicating
the true rôle of the Lama, Dangerous Friend guides the reader
from the questionable statements concerning Vajrayana Buddhism in the
West to the rich history of the Lama-disciple relationship.
Since the dawn of Buddhism devotion has been the key to success in
practice. This is especially true in Vajrayana, where the teacher
is the practice. The book clearly explains the importance of
understanding and living the rôle of student, which is ‘being
empty’ in relation to the form of the
teacher. The explanation is supported by quotes ranging from the
beginning of Tantra in Tibet to the present—from Padmasambhava in the Eighth Century to the author’s own
contemporary teachers, Ngak’chang
Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen. His references to these teachers
vividly demonstrate his own devotion.
Ngala Rig’dzin Dorje continually returns to the impossibility
of solving the puzzle of samsara on one’s own. One
needs guidance out of the self-created maze of dualism
from someone who has themselves realised that the maze is empty. To
Westerners it is often difficult to accept that one has to abdicate
one’s subjective rationale to reach realisation, but the need
for this is clearly and persistently shown in Dangerous Friend.
The book ends with an extensive ‘Questions &
Answers’ chapter which clarifies many issues commonly raised at
Aro courses and events. Here the subject of devotion and personal
responsibility with respect to taking ordination and vajra commitment is thoroughly discussed.
|
Teachings 
