How to NOT annoy the guru?

[Tenma]

So how does one NOT annoy their guru exactly when one has many questions(whether it be over practices, understanding the teachings, etc.) and their guru is busy? Anyone?

[Lobsang Chojor]

So how does one NOT annoy their guru exactly when one has many questions(whether it be over practices, understanding the teachings, etc.) and their guru is busy? Anyone?

I have felt the same and what I find works is ask them about one teaching and a practice question then go an apply the teachings.

[Tenma]

So how does one NOT annoy their guru exactly when one has many questions(whether it be over practices, understanding the teachings, etc.) and their guru is busy? Anyone?

I have felt the same and what I find works is ask them about one teaching and a practice question then go an apply the teachings.

How about when trying to find the time to ask him about how to purify oneself of the anger of spirits such as nagas?

[Lobsang Chojor]

How about when trying to find the time to ask him about how to purify oneself of the anger of spirits such as nagas?

Just ask him, genuine practice questions about your issues will please him, it's all in your head about annoying your guru in my experience.

Before you ask him, think about it though, how have you angered the nagas?

[Tenma]

How about when trying to find the time to ask him about how to purify oneself of the anger of spirits such as nagas?

Just ask him, genuine practice questions about your issues will please him, it's all in your head about annoying your guru in my experience.

Before you ask him, think about it though, how have you angered the nagas?

Wrong days, some pretty unreasonable requests to curse rivals/enemies, reciting mantras without empowerment, insulting garudas(well maybe this one insulted more of the fliers than the slitherens), wrong offerings, etc.

[amanitamusc]

How about when trying to find the time to ask him about how to purify oneself of the anger of spirits such as nagas?

Just ask him, genuine practice questions about your issues will please him, it's all in your head about annoying your guru in my experience.

Before you ask him, think about it though, how have you angered the nagas?

Wrong days, some pretty unreasonable requests to curse rivals/enemies, reciting mantras without empowerment, insulting garudas(well maybe this one insulted more of the fliers than the slitherens), wrong offerings, etc.

So you did these practices in anger, to punish some humans you don't like?
You might want to study and make part of yourself the 4 thoughts that
turn the mind.
You might tell your Lama just what you said above and see what he says.

[Josef]

So how does one NOT annoy their guru exactly when one has many questions(whether it be over practices, understanding the teachings, etc.) and their guru is busy? Anyone?

By cultivating bodhicitta and following his/her instructions.

[climb-up]

I don't think this is a genuinely answerable question.

It's the same as asking, "How do you interact with a person without annoying them?"
There might be some general guidelines, but the answer will depend on the individual, and the circumstances and yourself, etc. etc.

It seems like the way forward is to receive the teachings and practice them to the best of your ability and to ask the questions you have as respectfully as you can.
If you end up annoying your teacher then learn from that, make amends or apologies of necessary/appropriate, and continue on your path.

[Vasana]

How about when trying to find the time to ask him about how to purify oneself of the anger of spirits such as nagas?

Just ask him, genuine practice questions about your issues will please him, it's all in your head about annoying your guru in my experience.

Before you ask him, think about it though, how have you angered the nagas?

Wrong days, some pretty unreasonable requests to curse rivals/enemies, reciting mantras without empowerment, insulting garudas(well maybe this one insulted more of the fliers than the slitherens), wrong offerings, etc.

How is cursing rivals and having enemies Buddhist?
Just practice well and connect with the guardian's of your lineage. Pray to Tara, Guru rinpoche for the dispelling of obstacles. It can be that simple if you're open to that possibility.

Don't fixate yourself with trying to placate the Nagas by yourself unless you have consistently definite signs of their interference and you have learnt enough about the correct way of practicing not to create any more of these problems for yourself. Learn to distinguish between your own fears and fantasies from signs of practice. Sometimes they are connected and we are often harmed more by our own anticipation of harm than any harm it's self.

You can also try simply apologizing if you think they are present. Its your attitude that is important. You practice Chod? That can also help but I wouldn't recommend delving there until you have established a correct view and way of relating to all of this which it seems at present you have not. I hope you have learnt by now that this is not all a game and that you need to actually know what you're doing before going out and doing it.

Also - instead of asking your teacher a hundred obscure questions I think they would be most pleased if you made even an inch of further cultivation in things like Bodhichitta and meditation. Obviously some questions are worthy of asking bu ehrn you have a backlog of questions, take a step back to consider what areas of fixations your your questions are revealing. Don't loose sight of the essential.

[Ayu]

I never saw my guru being annoyed due to lack of time.
He get's annoyed slightly when the question reveals that the questioner has not understood anything of what he was teaching for months.
Or he also seems to be discontent as soon as I'm too fond of myself. He dislikes arrogance and superiority complexes.
But in summary it is impossible to annoy him in longterm. He loves it, when we only try to apply his teachings.

[fckw]

How is cursing rivals and having enemies Buddhist?

You should read more. There are plenty of Buddhist tantras giving spells and advice how to curse, kill etc. Of course, successful application presumes you are indeed a practitioner of the tantric vehicle. Which presumes you have the right view as well as samayas.

[Vasana]

How is cursing rivals and having enemies Buddhist?

You should read more. There are plenty of Buddhist tantras giving spells and advice how to curse, kill etc. Of course, successful application presumes you are indeed a practitioner of the tantric vehicle. Which presumes you have the right view as well as samayas.

' Enemies' of the doctrine are not the same as enemies driven by the 8 worldly winds. To do anything purely driven by one's own self interest contravenes Mahayana.

[Josef]

How is cursing rivals and having enemies Buddhist?

You should read more. There are plenty of Buddhist tantras giving spells and advice how to curse, kill etc. Of course, successful application presumes you are indeed a practitioner of the tantric vehicle. Which presumes you have the right view as well as samayas.

' Enemies' of the doctrine are not the same as enemies driven by the 8 worldly winds. To do anything purely driven by one's own self interest contravenes Mahayana.

True.
Also many of the "enemies" are not the sentient beings involved, but rather their inner enemies, their afflictions that are generating negativity.

[Ayu]

You should read more. There are plenty of Buddhist tantras giving spells and advice how to curse, kill etc. Of course, successful application presumes you are indeed a practitioner of the tantric vehicle. Which presumes you have the right view as well as samayas.

' Enemies' of the doctrine are not the same as enemies driven by the 8 worldly winds. To do anything purely driven by one's own self interest contravenes Mahayana.

True.
Also many of the "enemies" are not the sentient beings involved, but rather their inner enemies, their afflictions that are generating negativity.

That's right.
There is much symbolism in those scriptures. It's better to have them explained by a Lama than reading alone and misunderstand.

[PeterC]

How about when trying to find the time to ask him about how to purify oneself of the anger of spirits such as nagas?

Just ask him, genuine practice questions about your issues will please him, it's all in your head about annoying your guru in my experience.

Before you ask him, think about it though, how have you angered the nagas?

Wrong days, some pretty unreasonable requests to curse rivals/enemies, reciting mantras without empowerment, insulting garudas(well maybe this one insulted more of the fliers than the slitherens), wrong offerings, etc.

Why not just spend your time doing vajrasattva, lojong, mandala offerings, Tara and/or all the many other practices that entail no particular risk, purify negative karma and/or are general remedies for errors?

Then save your limited time with your guru for asking for advice on practice - not on asking him how to remedy things you shouldn’t have been doing in the first place

[Josef]

Just ask him, genuine practice questions about your issues will please him, it's all in your head about annoying your guru in my experience.

Before you ask him, think about it though, how have you angered the nagas?

Wrong days, some pretty unreasonable requests to curse rivals/enemies, reciting mantras without empowerment, insulting garudas(well maybe this one insulted more of the fliers than the slitherens), wrong offerings, etc.

Why not just spend your time doing vajrasattva, lojong, mandala offerings, Tara and/or all the many other practices that entail no particular risk, purify negative karma and/or are general remedies for errors?

Then save your limited time with your guru for asking for advice on practice - not on asking him how to remedy things you shouldn’t have been doing in the first place

Good advice Peter.
A great way to avoid "annoying the teacher" is by actually practicing dharma.

[Grigoris]

So how does one NOT annoy their guru exactly when one has many questions(whether it be over practices, understanding the teachings, etc.) and their guru is busy? Anyone?

I have felt the same and what I find works is ask them about one teaching and a practice question then go an apply the teachings.

^^^This^^^ and the advice by PeterC.