The Terrifyingly Compassionate Gamester

The vajra master—described by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche as ‘the Dangerous Friend’—is the heart of Vajrayana. Yet the vajra master is the aspect of Vajrayana most misunderstood in the West. It is therefore crucial to properly comprehend the rôle of the vajra master, and the means by which one chooses—and is chosen by—such a teacher. This weekend is suitable for anyone seeking to enter the stream of Vajrayana; participants are not particularly expected to seek Aro Lamas as their vajra masters. It provides the necessary information to make mature and inspired choices in respect of any Lama.

‘The Lama is the ecstatic, wild, and gentle figure who short-circuits the neat and tidy wiring of your systems of self-referencing. The Lama is the only person in your life who cannot be manipulated. The Lama is the invasion of unpredictability you allow into your life, to enable you to cut through the convolutions of interminable psychological and emotional processes. The Lama is the terrifyingly compassionate gamester who reshuffles the deck of your carefully arranged rationale.’

Ngak’chang Rinpoche

You can read an article about relationship with the Lama.

Recommended books: Dangerous Friend; The Teacher-Student Relationship