Angry With the Teacher

Angry With the Teacher

Date Posted:
August 2013

Advice to a student who got angry with the resident geshe.

My very dear one,
I heard the recent news; not BBC or CNN, but your center news. I am sorry how things have turned out there. I think the new director is sincerely trying to help the center in general, according to his view of the situation.

It is important that you try to understand Geshe-la’s position as resident teacher. He is thinking of the center and the students, and I think his decision to stay at the center and not go is because he thinks this is the beneficial thing to do. He is also trying to help the new director. I think this helping part is very important.

You are very understanding person, so it is important for you to understand that Geshe-la is trying to do what he thinks is beneficial, which means he gave up his holiday. I hope you understand my points. I am looking from the outside and this is how I see it. I think there is no reason to get upset with Geshe-la; that is a huge mistake.

Geshe-la has the responsibility of being the resident teacher and also, he especially needs to help the new director. You also need to help the new director, as you have done many times in the past.

You really, really, really, need to be careful, as you have taken teachings from Geshe-la and he is your guru. As you know there are the eight shortcomings if you get angry towards the virtuous friend, so essentially you are creating the negative karma for eons of time in the hell realms. Can you imagine that? After one hell realm, then into another hell realm and then another. So, think really well and don’t cheat yourself. Please don’t follow the delusions, especially anger. I have not been so direct with you before, but this time I think I need to. So please, please, please, don’t get angry with Geshe-la.

This life is most precious. Each second is very precious, so please be careful about the impure view in your mind. Please be careful of the ordinary view of your teacher. Please think about the paramita of patience. Please see the incredible value and importance of practicing patience.

Please think about the lam-rim. You need to take care of your mind, think that your mind is like a baby and you are the babysitter, or think that you are the police watching. In this way, take very good care of your mind, don’t let it go crazy. This can be very helpful. If delusion arises and you get involved, then you go to the hell realm, but if you don’t get involved in delusion, then it is Dharma. It is very important that you become a guide to yourself. When you follow the lam-rim, you become a guide to yourself and then you become a guide to others. Sentient beings depend on you.

Please let me know how you feel and what you would like to do. Do you want to continue staying at the center or would you prefer to be somewhere else at least for some time?

Both you and __ have been very important to the center. You have both given so much, and I really appreciate this from the bottom of my heart. Both of you are still very important to fulfilling my wishes for sentient beings, so please remember this and enjoy this advice.

With much love and prayers...