ONE OF THE QUESTIONS that arises in the mind of a person
when he or she first encounters a lama or a shrine room is 'What do I do? How
do I act?' Detailed answers are not always evident or accessible, but a basic
rule of thumb in dealing with religious personages, places or situations can be
stated in one word: respect.
The Lama
A lama who is a Rinpoche (Tib: "precious one")
is one who has achieved, by years of study and practice, a high degree of
spiritual awareness and attainment. A Rinpoche has frequently gone through
extensive training, even in worldly terms, and he has devoted his life to
bringing out the highest spiritual potentials in everyone that he contacts, as
well as in himself. His compassion extends to all beings, and he selflessly
strives to be a purified vessel of the enlightened attitude, and gives of
himself to others without hesitation. He is truly a holy person, and for this
reason he deserves not only respect, but great consideration.
If the Rinpoche is also a Tulku (Tib:
"nirmanakaya"), he is considered an incarnation of a highly evolved
individual or bodhisattva, who has been practicing such compassion and
selflessness for many lifetimes, to the point that he has deliberately
forestalled his own complete liberation in order to return to the realm of
suffering and help free others. Anyone who has had experience with the
Rinpoches can verify that extraordinary qualities of generosity, compassion and
wisdom are unfailingly manifested by them, each in their own unique ways. And
in addition, they are repositories of truth, of Dharma. They are due every
courtesy that can be extended to them.
Proper respect towards a lama is shown in a simple way.
To greet him traditionally, according to the custom of Tibet, one would offer a
white silk scarf (Tib: "kata"). If the lama is a high Rinpoche, and
especially one's own teacher, it is customary traditionally to prostrate three
times upon arriving and once when leaving, if it is a formal situation. In the
West, people are not always comfortable with such demonstrations, particularly
if they are not Buddhists, and if this is the case, one may show respect in a
natural way, perhaps with a short, Japanese-style bow with hands folded, or
with an American-style handshake. The important thing is to acknowledge the
lama as one would acknowledge any dignitary or religious personage, in an
appropriate way.
