[Buddha-l] Lamas and such

[Joy Vriens]

Hi Dan,

> The objectionability of the term [lamaism] -- comparable to the 
> objectionability of "Mohammedism" for Islam -- is that it suggests the main 
> object of veneration and worship is Lamas (or Mohammed). Arguably Tibetan 
> and Mongolian Buddhists *do* venerate and even worship certain lamas (Hello, 
> Dalai), but that is not the "main" object of worship.
>
> A devil's advocate might argue that Lamaism simply indicates something 
> *distinctive* about Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhism that distinguishes them 
> from other forms of Buddhism, namely lamas. Thus it would be, the argument 
> goes, no different than Theravada (or the Skt version, Sthaviravada), since 
> the distinctive institutional feature in that case would be the authority of 
> the "elders" (thera, sthavira).
The Lama is the the source of the Three Refuges and the essence of the 
Three Roots. Below are some quotes from a letter by Khandro Rinpoche, a 
contemporary teacher, to show the importance of a lama. If one has a 
lama, s/he is one's refuge and object of devotion. In case one hasn't 
found one's lama yet,  then one can generate devotion towards the Three 
Jewels.

As for the devil's advocate's argument. This is simply what happens 
within religions when there is a difference of opinion. The mainstream 
religion is called by a certain name and those differing form the 
mainstream dogma will be referred to by a name indicating their 
particular differentiating dogma. Lamaism differs from other forms of 
Buddhism because of its belief in the lama being the source of the Three 
Refuges and the essence of the Three Roots. Likewise for pudgalavaadins, 
Pure Land, Ch'an etc.

Joy

New Year Letter to the Sangha from Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche 25 February 2009
http://mindrollinginternational.org/news-announcements/090225_JKRNewYearLetter.cfm

 "I urge you all to work in strengthening your devotion to the Three 
Jewels and the Three Roots. Along with the intellectual hunger, I hope 
you all also realize that many times, very easily, our connection to 
Dharma in an intellectual way maybe just another form of excuse to avoid 
bringing true changes within oneself without which liberation from this 
samsara and the abandoning of its seed, our habitual tendencies, is 
impossible. Giving rise to devotion is of utmost importance to anyone on 
the Vajrayana path. Devotion is the most skilful means of letting go of 
grasping and clinging to ourselves and the phenomena. It is imperative 
that at some point we get to a point of exhaustion of our ego and all 
the doubts, hesitations and intellectualizations that we bring to our 
practice path. Sometimes we hesitate to talk about devotion because it 
seems "old-fashioned" or like "brainwashing." In this day and age, it is 
considered smarter to ask questions and express doubts. I am not saying 
that questioning is not important."

"Devotion to the Guru and the dharma is what gives us the humility to 
know that we need to really work hard in transforming ourselves."

"So let us all bring to mind our precious Guru, the source of all refuge 
and the essence of Three Roots-Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen."

"If you are someone still looking for a Guru to whom you can generate 
irreversible devotion, then generate it for the Three Jewels. Do not 
rush into finding a teacher just so you can experiment with devotion and 
find out if it works for you. Go into it slowly but build it from 
strength to strength until such a time comes that simply bringing the 
Guru's face to mind can uncoil any klesha, allowing oneself to rest in 
true equanimity."