March-April 2000

By Lama Zopa Rinpoche

At Buxa [in the early 1960s in north India] I was taught by Geshe Rabten Rinpoche, whose kindness is responsible for whatever interest in meditation practice I now have.

There was a monk in my class who most people know as Chomphel – he was Kopan’s cook for many years. Along with [Kopan’s] Lama Pasang and other Tibetan monks, he was taking teachings from Lama Yeshe. At that stage I was only receiving teachings from Geshe Rabten and then only when he wasn’t busy, as he had many disciples and had to teach many different texts to different classes.

Geshe Rabten sent me to another teacher, from Kham, whose name was Yeshe. After this teacher Yeshe went away, Geshe Rabten had me taught by another geshe, and then by a Geshe Thubten. I was happy to have teachings from the geshe, but somehow I was reluctant to go and receive teachings from Lama Yeshe, whom Chomphel talked about.

At that time Chomphel used to be the leader of my class and he kept pushing me to go and take teachings from Lama Yeshe. He used to go outside for a walk, for relaxation, and one day we started to walk outside the camp toward Lama’s house. But I had no offering. When we came to the mango tree where there were seats, I said, “I want to go back,” but he pushed, so I went a little further.

I stopped again and again, saying, “No, I don’t want to go,” but he kept pushing me. It was quite far to where Lama Yeshe lived on the mountain.

Even when we reached the hut I wanted to go back, partly because I had brought no offerings. When you first make contact with the guru it is very important to perform the offerings correctly. How many teachings you receive depends on that; so much depends on that, as you know from the stories of Milarepa. For this reason I didn’t receive many teachings at Buxa.

Chomphel had brought a bowl with some rice and a few rupees, together with a very poor, old offering scarf. He went in first to ask if Lama Yeshe would receive me. I think Lama Yeshe asked, “Have you received permission from Geshe Rabten?” and he replied, “Yes.”

On my first day I sat on the same bed as Lama Yeshe because of having the name “incarnate,” and the others sat on the floor. The teaching was about cause and effect. I didn’t understand anything at all – I think because I went with a bad motivation. I thought, “Why can’t Lama Yeshe teach more slowly?” Although the others could understand, I couldn’t.

Then on the second day I could understand a little better. I think that’s because I have been guided by Lama Yeshe in many lifetimes. Even though I had no strong wish, there was a strong force, karma, between Lama Yeshe and me; there has definitely been contact in past lives. He hasn’t only helped and guided me in this life, but he planted seeds in my mind in many past lifetimes.

It is clear that all the happiness of the past, present and future depends on the guru.