Searching for a Teacher

[sunandmoon]

Hey folks,

I've been looking for a Vajryana teacher for nearly two years now. Personally, I've been practicing fairly intensively for 10 years. First 3 years was in Zen. Then was in Theravada for about 5 years. A few years back, I felt drawn towards Tantra - the inclusiveness and wildness of it. I've been following it in my own eclectic, confused way for the last 2 years. I've been poking my head around here and there for a teacher, but haven't seemed to find someone right yet. Admittedly, I haven't been in a great hurry. There are a few I feel drawn to - the Arogter teacher, Doc Togden, seems pretty cool and I quite like his style, but I can't comment much more on him because I only have second-hand reports, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Myingyur Rinpoche, and Ken McLeod - I was prospecting one of his students, as Ken's retired now and when I spoke with him he suggested one of his senior students instead, but distanced myself from that teacher after a few months - nothing bad happened, but still didn't feel confident that she was the right teacher for me.

I'll give some of my deluded and flexible preferences (besides the obvious - being an enlightened bad-a**-mother-f$*#er) to help flesh things out:
-I live in Thailand and I'll be living in Thailand for the foreseeable future. Having a teacher who's based nearby, which I'd roughly define as Asia, would be nice. I lived with my last teacher when I was a Theravadan monk. He mostly taught through example and presence, rather than through words. It's something I find valuable, although I know that with many of these rock-star gurus, that's a luxury that very, very few have. And that's one reason why...
-Not a rock-star guru. I prefer to work with teachers who have a small, closely-knit group of disciples who he/she works very closely with, rather than some of these teachers (no insult to them - much respect and love for what they're doing!) who have a hundred centers scattered all-over the globe and twenty-thousand disciples.
-Can speak English.
-More on the wild side - alcohol, firearms, and cigarettes, or all three at the same time, are greatly appreciated.
-Not rigidly traditional/more contemporary approach.

That's it. Much appreciation for your time and replies!

Let the crap-shoot begin!

[Crazywisdom]

Go to Nepal

[Josef]

Mingyur Rinpoche is highly recommended and his programs for distance learning to get started out are fantastic.

[kalden yungdrung]

Hey folks,

I've been looking for a Vajryana teacher for nearly two years now. Personally, I've been practicing fairly intensively for 10 years. First 3 years was in Zen. Then was in Theravada for about 5 years. A few years back, I felt drawn towards Tantra - the inclusiveness and wildness of it. I've been following it in my own eclectic, confused way for the last 2 years. I've been poking my head around here and there for a teacher, but haven't seemed to find someone right yet. Admittedly, I haven't been in a great hurry. There are a few I feel drawn to - the Arogter teacher, Doc Togden, seems pretty cool and I quite like his style, but I can't comment much more on him because I only have second-hand reports, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Myingyur Rinpoche, and Ken McLeod - I was prospecting one of his students, as Ken's retired now and when I spoke with him he suggested one of his senior students instead, but distanced myself from that teacher after a few months - nothing bad happened, but still didn't feel confident that she was the right teacher for me.

I'll give some of my deluded and flexible preferences (besides the obvious - being an enlightened bad-a**-mother-f$*#er) to help flesh things out:
-I live in Thailand and I'll be living in Thailand for the foreseeable future. Having a teacher who's based nearby, which I'd roughly define as Asia, would be nice. I lived with my last teacher when I was a Theravadan monk. He mostly taught through example and presence, rather than through words. It's something I find valuable, although I know that with many of these rock-star gurus, that's a luxury that very, very few have. And that's one reason why...
-Not a rock-star guru. I prefer to work with teachers who have a small, closely-knit group of disciples who he/she works very closely with, rather than some of these teachers (no insult to them - much respect and love for what they're doing!) who have a hundred centers scattered all-over the globe and twenty-thousand disciples.
-Can speak English.
-More on the wild side - alcohol, firearms, and cigarettes, or all three at the same time, are greatly appreciated.
-Not rigidly traditional/more contemporary approach.

That's it. Much appreciation for your time and replies!

Let the crap-shoot begin!

Tashi delek,

Nice to hear that you will live or live in the land of smiles.

- Will also live within 2 years in Thailand, guess Chiang Mai or BKK maybe.
- Where are you living in Thailand ?
- I am looking for house sharing.

I know in the neighborhood of Hua Hin a non sectarian Tibetan Buddhist Community named 1000 Stars foundation.
There you can study everything out of the Lineage of the Kundrul Rinpoche.
His Lineage is based on Guru Rinpoche and Guru Rinpoche foretold / predictedalready a long time ago that a certain Tertön named Kundrul Lingpa would discover some precious Dharma Text, written by Yeshe Tsogyal.

Here are some further informations:
viewtopic.php?f=78&t=20867


If there are more questions, you could PM me maybe.

Best wishes
KY.

[PSM]

Mingyur Rinpoche is highly recommended and his programs for distance learning to get started out are fantastic.

Absolutely. Any of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche's sons are worth connecting with.

[Motova]

Ayang Rinpoche.

[humble.student]

There is a lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in Thailand that comes from Norlha Hutuktu, brought there by some Chinese monks back in the 30s or 40s. The writer John Blofeld, who lived in Thailand, was on close terms with the then abbot. I think this is an associated Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thaipadmasambhava/
You'd be able to find more details if you can speak or read Thai I suppose, or get in touch with a member who knows English.
Good luck!

PS: This is not the Norlha lama of recent news, but an important lama from Kham from the 1930s. There's a book by Gray Tuttle which talks about this.

[sunandmoon]

Go to Nepal

And from there? What about Sikkhim, Bhutan, Ladakh?

[sunandmoon]

There is a lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in Thailand that comes from Norlha Hutuktu, brought there by some Chinese monks back in the 30s or 40s. The writer John Blofeld, who lived in Thailand, was on close terms with the then abbot. I think this is an associated Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thaipadmasambhava/
You'd be able to find more details if you can speak or read Thai I suppose, or get in touch with a member who knows English.
Good luck!

PS: This is not the Norlha lama of recent news, but an important lama from Kham from the 1930s. There's a book by Gray Tuttle which talks about this.

Wow! That's pretty cool and unexpected. Fortunately my Thai is pretty good, so language shouldn't be much of an issue. Will definitely check it out!

[sunandmoon]

Mingyur Rinpoche is highly recommended and his programs for distance learning to get started out are fantastic.

Yes, I think he's fantastic. The only thing that holds me back a little bit is the whole rock star guru thing. Not that it's gone to his head - I've had the honor of meeting him and his realization, in my opinion, is quite deep. Very powerful presence. But just afraid I won't be able to get close to the guru because of his super busy schedule.

I could see that he has a few close disciples that he really focuses on, which would take a few years likely to get into, but some of these teachers just are running all over and even for their close disciples it's hard to get close to them. Maybe a slight reluctance I have.

But nothings perfect and I'm increasingly feeling like he's the one for me for now. Still feeling it out.

[Crazywisdom]

Go to Nepal

And from there? What about Sikkhim, Bhutan, Ladakh?

Go to pilgrimage places and you run into a wild lama.

[Simon E.]

Why do you assume that anyone would want or need a 'wild lama'?

I wasted years with a wild lama.
Thank the Buddhas for stable, strong, and compassionate Lamas like ChNN or Mingyur Rinpoche.

[amanitamusc]

Why do you assume that anyone would want or need a 'wild lama'?

I wasted years with a wild lama.
Thank the Buddhas for stable, strong, and compassionate Lamas like ChNN or Mingyur Rinpoche.

Maybe one living in the wild without all the fans.

[Miroku]

I am afraid you might have to do some research yourself, go around and ask. Most of us here are from western countries. We don't know centers there. But if there is a center of Garchen Rinpoche I can only recommend it. He is an amazing realized being.

[Simon E.]

Why do you assume that anyone would want or need a 'wild lama'?

I wasted years with a wild lama.
Thank the Buddhas for stable, strong, and compassionate Lamas like ChNN or Mingyur Rinpoche.

Maybe one living in the wild without all the fans.

Can you name one? If not how does it help the OP?
Romantic notions of unknown Lamas are likely to be a cause of great disappointment and time wasted unless one's karma is ripening in that way. In which case the seeker is not likely to be hanging around this forum.

[amanitamusc]

Why do you assume that anyone would want or need a 'wild lama'?

I wasted years with a wild lama.
Thank the Buddhas for stable, strong, and compassionate Lamas like ChNN or Mingyur Rinpoche.

Maybe one living in the wild without all the fans.

Can you name one? If not how does it help the OP?
Romantic notions of unknown Lamas are likely to be a cause of great disappointment and time wasted unless one's karma is ripening in that way. In which case the seeker is not likely to be hanging around this forum.

Here is one.
http://www.sacredpassagetsatsa.com/Sacr ... ut_Us.html

[Crazywisdom]

Why do you assume that anyone would want or need a 'wild lama'?

I wasted years with a wild lama.
Thank the Buddhas for stable, strong, and compassionate Lamas like ChNN or Mingyur Rinpoche.

The journey is the goal.

[Simon E.]

What does that even mean in real life?

[Simon E.]

Maybe one living in the wild without all the fans.

Can you name one? If not how does it help the OP?
Romantic notions of unknown Lamas are likely to be a cause of great disappointment and time wasted unless one's karma is ripening in that way. In which case the seeker is not likely to be hanging around this forum.

Here is one.
http://www.sacredpassagetsatsa.com/Sacr ... ut_Us.html

And your recommendation comes from personal first hand experience of this teacher?

[amanitamusc]

Can you name one? If not how does it help the OP?
Romantic notions of unknown Lamas are likely to be a cause of great disappointment and time wasted unless one's karma is ripening in that way. In which case the seeker is not likely to be hanging around this forum.

Here is one.
http://www.sacredpassagetsatsa.com/Sacr ... ut_Us.html

And your recommendation comes from personal first hand experience of this teacher?

It was not a recommendation just an observation backed by reputable western student/ teachers.
Joseph Wagner a student of said Lama was mentioned in Malcolm's latest publication.