I guess I should have provided more context. The lama only used the term "special connection" and I'm not sure how exactly to interpret that. He said nothing specifically about it being my yidam. Perhaps it was just a special Tibetan way of giving a nice parting gift and nothing more...Malcolm wrote:This is a myth. I have been in Tibetan Buddhism for many, many years. Not once has any teacher every picked out a yidam for me to practice. Yes, it does happen sometimes, but it is not common.Luke wrote:Sometimes the deity which is chosen for you at random is one you have a special connection with (according to Tibetan beliefs, at least).
Finding One's Yidam
Re: Finding One's Yidam
Re: Finding One's Yidam
It actually happened to me. But only once in all these years so I would agree it isn't common.Malcolm wrote:Luke wrote:Sometimes the deity which is chosen for you at random is one you have a special connection with (according to Tibetan beliefs, at least).
This is a myth. I have been in Tibetan Buddhism for many, many years. Not once has any teacher every picked out a yidam for me to practice. Yes, it does happen sometimes, but it is not common.
/magnus
"We are all here to help each other go through this thing, whatever it is."
~Kurt Vonnegut
"The principal practice is Guruyoga. But we need to understand that any secondary practice combined with Guruyoga becomes a principal practice." ChNNR (Teachings on Thun and Ganapuja)
~Kurt Vonnegut
"The principal practice is Guruyoga. But we need to understand that any secondary practice combined with Guruyoga becomes a principal practice." ChNNR (Teachings on Thun and Ganapuja)
Re: Finding One's Yidam
my lama told me that I should do a particular practice as it is my yidam. I felt more connection to another yidam and said so. ( they are both similar and connected). He said to do both and choose which one I had the best feeling for.heart wrote:It actually happened to me. But only once in all these years so I would agree it isn't common.Malcolm wrote:This is a myth. I have been in Tibetan Buddhism for many, many years. Not once has any teacher every picked out a yidam for me to practice. Yes, it does happen sometimes, but it is not common.Luke wrote:Sometimes the deity which is chosen for you at random is one you have a special connection with (according to Tibetan beliefs, at least).
/magnus