Myopathy, Oral Transmission and Guru Relationship
A student asked whether they needed to see someone as a guru because that person had given an oral transmission of the nyung nä text at the end of a retreat. The student, who had myopathy, a muscular disease that required the use of a wheelchair, also requested practice advice.
My very dear one,
I am sorry for the long delay in replying to you.
If you didn’t look at that person as your guru at all when they gave the oral transmission, then they don’t become your guru. For example, there can be children, dogs or puppies who can hear that person, but don’t take them as guru.
If you took the eight Mahayana precepts from that person—if they gave the precepts during the nyung nä and you took the precepts from them—then you have to regard them as guru. But if you took the precepts from the altar, then you don’t have to [see them as your guru].
Regarding your health, it is very important for you to take the precious pills called “Thirty-seven Aids to Enlightenment”. These will be very, very good for you. Take two pills every two days for one month.
White Umbrella Deity (Dukkar): Recite this prayer five times. If possible, you should try to take the White Umbrella initiation and recite White Umbrella prayer and mantra.
You should also recite The Dharani of Glorious Vajra Claws, with the motivation that you are not harming anyone and that it is not against bodhicitta. You can think the dharani is not directed at sentient beings but at their delusions. Whatever negative words there are in the text are for the delusions, not sentient beings. Please read it three times.
I am also making prayers for you. Please continue living your life with the thought of bodhicitta night and day, and in everything that you do.
With much love and prayers ...