The Guru Principle

“What is the meaning and role of a guru on the Buddhist path? This book offers a wealth of insight for students wishing to begin to understand the guru principle. Writing from vast experience and understanding of the topic, Lama Shenpen Hookham provides timely guidelines for discernment as one starts out on this journey of discovery. Beginning with the Buddha, ‘the enlightened one,’ who taught that all beings could awaken to their enlightened nature, the significance of the guru in this process of awakening is explored in a wide range of traditional, contemporary, and cultural contexts. In the context of Buddhism in the West in particular, this ground provides a valuable support for an ever-deepening understanding of the guru principle.”—Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche, author of This Precious Life “All major traditions of Buddhism seem to place emphasis on the importance of the teacher-student relationship. In the Vajrayana tradition, the teacher is called guru or ‘one who dispels the darkness.’ Thus, the guru is considered to extend kindness to their students that excels the kindness of even the Buddha Shakyamuni himself, for it is through our own direct relationship with a genuine master that we can really begin to work out what the Buddha was trying to get at through his 84,000 groups of Dharma teachings. As much as the teacher-student relationship is indispensable, it is also not to be entered into lightly—either by the teacher or the student. And, since it involves human beings, it can become confusing if not illuminated by skillful wisdom and compassion on each step of the journey. Since this topic is so deserving of a thoughtful approach, I am very pleased that my Dharma sister, Lama Shenpen Hookham—who possesses deep experience with both journeys of the student and the teacher—has offered this open-minded and comprehensive exploration of the key principles of the teacher-student relationship. Framing her presentation around key questions that may well dawn naturally in the mind of any curious practitioner, Lama Shenpen shares her insights and understanding generously and accessibly. I am confident that this skillful and kind guide will be of great benefit to many individuals who wish to make the wisdom of the Buddha a part of their lives.”—Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, author of Rebel Buddha and Mind Beyond Death “In her new book, The Guru Principle, Lama Shenpen Hookham gives important consideration to the roles of the guru and disciple, especially with regard to Vajrayana Buddhism. She calls on her years of experience as both a student and a teacher to clarify such issues as spiritual authority in Buddhism and how to choose a guru. In an area where confusion and wrong views are rampant, Lama Shenpen skillfully helps to unravel many knotty points, shedding light and order on many misunderstood issues concerned with this controversial subject. This book can certainly be recommended reading for all those in search of a deeper understanding of the guru principle.”—Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, author of Into the Heart of Life “Lama Shenpen Hookham is not only an acclaimed scholar but also a well-known and highly respected teacher of Tibetan Buddhism. ‘Guru’ has often been a misunderstood and sometimes misused term in the West. This book attempts to clear that mystery.”—Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, author of Confusion Arises as Wisdom “When I first met Lama Shenpen in 1981, she was a very serious student of Buddhist philosophy. In those days, she was earning her PhD on the topic of the shentong view of Madhyamaka. She received many teachings, studied hard, and became quite knowledgeable about Buddhism in general, and especially Tibetan Buddhism. From a scholarly standpoint, she is particularly well versed in the shentong view. Lama S