50. Praising Authentic Teacher’s Qualities I
Longchen Nyingtik Meditation 50
The Beginning
Take refuge and arouse bodhicitta.
The Main Part
Meditate: The appearance of a buddha in the world is as rare as the blossoming of an udumvara flower. Similarly, the compassionate emanation of the Buddha, the authentic spiritual teacher, is very difficult to meet in this life. In the Mahayana Avatamsaka Sutra and other sutras, the Buddha extolled the exquisite qualities of spiritual teachers with many analogies:
Like an expert boatman steering a ship, they deliver wayfarers of the three realms across the suffering ocean of samsara.
Like an incomparable guide, they lead sentient beings onto the unerring path of liberation.
Like the Mani Jewel, they dispel the deficiencies and trappings in samsara and nirvana.
Like the amrita of the divine realm, they put out the blazing fires of greed, hatred, and delusion.
Like the undiminishing cloudbanks, they shower down vast Dharma rains to all beings impartially.
Like the sound of celestial drums, their teachings enliven all sentient beings.
Like an incomparable crown medicine, they cure any and all sickness of the three poisons.
Like the sun, the moon, and lamps, they dispel the darkness of beings’ delusion.
Like a wish-granting tree, they fulfill all the wishes of various sentient beings.
Like measureless rays of the sun, they radiate dazzling and perfect enlightened activities.
At present, I have met and have been relying on a guru who possesses all these splendid qualities. How fortunate I am, and what immense joy it is! May I in all lifetimes get to follow such a sublime guru who always holds me with great compassion! May I come to attain the perfect fruition of my guru, the vidyadhara master!
The Ending
Dedicate all the merit of your practice to all sentient beings.
