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Re: Finding One's Yidam

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 5:29 pm
by Luke
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.
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...

Re: Finding One's Yidam

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 5:51 pm
by heart
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.
It actually happened to me. But only once in all these years so I would agree it isn't common.

/magnus

Re: Finding One's Yidam

Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 6:00 pm
by michaelb
heart wrote:
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.
It actually happened to me. But only once in all these years so I would agree it isn't common.
/magnus
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.