Advice For Those at the Beginning of the Path

If you truly want to study and practise Buddhism properly, my advice is to find a good teacher (lama) and a supportive environment. Avoid going to every centre you can find and relying on many different lamas, as this would not be conducive to your development.

If your goal is to become a genuine Dharma practitioner, the most important step is to find a lama who is a practitioner himself and rely on him.

Do not seek a lama in cities, because just as you won’t find a leopard in the city or fish outside of water, you are unlikely to find a true practitioner in such places.

A crucial point is to choose a lama from whom you will have regular opportunities to receive teachings and instructions. Simply claiming someone as your teacher while only seeing them once a year—and without receiving substantial teachings from them—will be of little benefit.

The best thing you can do is to find a lama whose sole concern is your spiritual development. If you can stay in an environment where he can guide you closely, continuously pointing out areas for improvement over a long period, you will undoubtedly make real progress.

24th February 2025, Thrangu Sekhar Retreat Centre, Nepal