(Derived from Dharma Rumors, Teachings, and the Few Texts I Have

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In my limited view, (derived from Dharma rumors, teachings, and the few texts I have read and partially understood) the Lama, or spiritual teacher is someone we must connect with if we ever hope to attain enlightenment. In the Vajrayana tradition, the Lama is especially important because wisdom is passed from the source of enlightenment, which is Guru Rinpoche, through an unbroken chain of body speech and mind to the present day disciple. Without this unbroken chain, or cord, we are—as Lama Tharchin Rinpoche has said—like students seeking light from a light bulb that is not plugged in. Since we depend so much on the Lama for our spiritual enlightenment, we must cultivate merit and pray to have the blessing of meeting a Lama with the excellent qualities of wisdom, and compassion, and who possesses the skillful means to teach. We must find someone who has had genuine realization as a result of their own merit and practice on the path. I am blessed with the karmic phenomenon of the fortuitous Dharma ragamuffin. I was born wide eyed and tow-headed into the laps of some of the finest teachers in the world. I met Lama Tharchin Rinpoche after spending barely a month on this Earth, and in my short 23 years I have had the great fortune of receiving teachings from many great Lamas including His Holiness Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, His Eminence Dzongzar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, Lama Sonam Rinpoche and Lama Gyaltsen Rinpoche. Each of these amazing compassionate beings carries a true message of Dharma and they all effortlessly radiate the original warmth of Guru Rinpoche's love and wisdom. If we try to hold the correct view, we are supposed to regard our Lama as not only a gateway through which we connect with the wisdom of Buddha, but as the very embodiment of the three Jewels. Being undisciplined and having very minimal understanding and no realization whatsoever, I am lucky to have met teachers whose qualities are so apparent that it takes no effort whatsoever to behold them as the embodiment of the Holy Triple Gems—Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. If I could pay tribute with haiku to my Lamas, I would not by any means claim to encapsulate or even describe any of their qualities with any insight or accuracy, but it might be fun: Lama Tharchin Rinpoche: He is very short like most Buddhas I know. But his face fills the room. Lama Sonam Rinpoche: He lays brick all day paves a path to the shrine. Then walks dogs by night pond. His Holiness Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche: Like a carnival the world whirled up around him settled at his feet. Dzongzar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche: When we hear him speak we know in the West: Wisdom survives in the Wild. Lama Gyaltsen Rinpoche: He'd never tell you but he knows many secrets you hear in his laugh. .

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