Khenpo Yeshe Phuntsok
Guru Yoga is the king of all practices and source of all attainments. Why do we say this? This is because the Guru is the embodiment of the Buddhas of the past, present and future. The Guru is the root of all blessings. If we are receptive to the Guru, it is the same as being receptive to all Buddhas. Receiving the Guru’s blessings is receiving all Buddhas’ blessings. We practice Guru Yoga to swiftly receive the Guru’s mind-transmitted blessing. This is most direct and ultimate method for attaining realisation.
Many Dharma friends wonder: I don’t have any extensive listening-contemplation or learning of the scriptures, my wisdom is limited, does that mean I can’t gain realisation through Dzogchen? This doubt was resolved by the extraordinary master Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo long ago. He once proclaimed to hundreds of people in a loud voice, “No matter what, you must develop faith in the Guru as the real Buddha himself. Practice the Guru Yoga diligently. Even if you don’t have extensive listening-contemplation, you will realize Dzogchen before your death. There is no need to doubt this!”
Our very kind Guru, HH Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, also emphasized again and again that we should believe wholeheartedly in this vajra speech (of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo) and practice Guru Yoga with diligence and joy.
This goes to show that the crux of realisation depends on faith and blessings. The Guru Yoga causes our ordinary mind to mingle with the Guru’s wisdom mind inseparably. This is the ultimate pith instruction on directly introducing mind’s nature and gaining realisation.
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Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche
Guru Yoga is very profound, and is celebrated by all the great masters. In one voice they proclaim that even if you have high realization, you should still keep it as an integral part of your practice.
The lineage instructions state that even if you have practiced Phowa without seeing any signs of accomplishment, if you do Guru Yoga five times a day you will have no difficulty when death comes—you will easily handle and merge with the last moment of your life. The great Kagyu master Gyalwa Gotsangpa in particular said that practicing Guru Yoga five times a day is the equivalent of Phowa.
This means that sincerely practicing Guru Yoga will take care of all of your spiritual needs, in this life, in the next life, and in between. The essence of Guru Yoga is devotion. If your devotion wanes, your Guru Yoga practice will become dry and your meditative stability will erode.
