The Guru

 

"All the qualities complete according to purest Dharma
Are hard to find in these decadent times.
But trust the teacher who, based on pure observance of the three vows,
Is steeped in learning and great compassion.
The teacher with infinite qualities complete
Is the wisdom and compassion of all Buddhas
Appearing in human form for beings' sake.
He Is the unequalled source ofall accomplishments
Expediently, to guide us, he acts just like us all.
In truth he Is completely different from us all.
His realisation makes him the noblest of us all.
With skill he cuts our doubts, and patiently he bears
All our discouragement and lack of gratitude"

BUT THERE IS A WARNING from the Great Master of Uddlyana who says:
"Not to examine the teacher is like drinking poison.
By not examining a teacher with great care
The faithful waste their gathered merit
Like mistaking a vicious snake for the shadow of a tree
They are deceived and lose their chance of freedom"

SO BEWARE OF:-
*teachers like a "millstone made of wood"- the plastic imitation in modern terms
*teachers like the "frog that lived In a well and thought it was the ocean" - someone who thinks they know everything but in fact know very little
*'mad guides' - charismatic teachers, who can carry people with them, wrapped in strong emotions but lacking some compassion, wisdom and integrity;
*'blind guides' - someone not much better than yourself who will not be able to show you the way because they do not know where they are going either.