SHENPEN HOOKHAM is a Buddhist teacher who has trained for over fifty years in the Mahamudra and Dzogchen traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Her teachers include Ch gyam Trungpa Rinpoche, HH the Sixteenth Karmapa, and Tsultrim Gyatso Rinpoche. She has spent over twelve years in meditation retreat. Lama Shenpen produced a seminal study on buddha nature doctrines of Mahayana Buddhism, for which she was awarded a PhD from Oxford University, and her doctorate was published as a book, titled The Buddha Within. She lives in North West Wales, spending most of her time in semi-retreat and working with her students and on her writing.
“What is the meaning and role of a guru on the Buddhist path? This
book offers a wealth of insight for students wishing to begin to
understand the guru principle. Writing from vast experience and
understanding of the topic, Lama Shenpen Hookham provides timely
guidelines for discernment as one starts out on this journey of
discovery. Beginning with the Buddha, ‘the enlightened one,’ who
taught that all beings could awaken to their enlightened nature,
the significance of the guru in this process of awakening is
explored in a wide range of traditional, contemporary, and cultural
contexts. In the context of Buddhism in the West in particular,
this ground provides a valuable support for an ever-deepening
understanding of the guru principle.”—Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche,
author of This Precious Life
“All major traditions of Buddhism seem to place emphasis on the
importance of the teacher-student relationship. In the Vajrayana
tradition, the teacher is called guru or ‘one who dispels the
darkness.’ Thus, the guru is considered to extend kindness to their
students that excels the kindness of even the Buddha Shakyamuni
himself, for it is through our own direct relationship with a
genuine master that we can really begin to work out what the Buddha
was trying to get at through his 84,000 groups of Dharma teachings.
As much as the teacher-student relationship is indispensable, it is
also not to be entered into lightly—either by the teacher or the
student. And, since it involves human beings, it can become
confusing if not illuminated by skillful wisdom and compassion on
each step of the journey. Since this topic is so deserving of a
thoughtful approach, I am very pleased that my Dharma sister, Lama
Shenpen Hookham—who possesses deep experience with both journeys of
the student and the teacher—has offered this open-minded and
comprehensive exploration of the key principles of the
teacher-student relationship. Framing her presentation around key
questions that may well dawn naturally in the mind of any curious
practitioner, Lama Shenpen shares her insights and understanding
generously and accessibly. I am confident that this skillful and
kind guide will be of great benefit to many individuals who wish to
make the wisdom of the Buddha a part of their lives.”—Dzogchen
Ponlop Rinpoche, author of Rebel Buddha and Mind Beyond Death
“In her new book, The Guru Principle, Lama Shenpen Hookham gives
important consideration to the roles of the guru and disciple,
especially with regard to Vajrayana Buddhism. She calls on her
years of experience as both a student and a teacher to clarify such
issues as spiritual authority in Buddhism and how to choose a guru.
In an area where confusion and wrong views are rampant, Lama
Shenpen skillfully helps to unravel many knotty points, shedding
light and order on many misunderstood issues concerned with this
controversial subject. This book can certainly be recommended
reading for all those in search of a deeper understanding of the
guru principle.”—Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, author of Into the Heart of
Life
“Lama Shenpen Hookham is not only an acclaimed scholar but also a
well-known and highly respected teacher of Tibetan Buddhism. ‘Guru’
has often been a misunderstood and sometimes misused term in the
West. This book attempts to clear that mystery.”—Ringu Tulku
Rinpoche, author of Confusion Arises as Wisdom
“When I first met Lama Shenpen in 1981, she was a very serious
student of Buddhist philosophy. In those days, she was earning her
PhD on the topic of the shentong view of Madhyamaka. She received
many teachings, studied hard, and became quite knowledgeable about
Buddhism in general, and especially Tibetan Buddhism. From a
scholarly standpoint, she is particularly well versed in the
shentong view. Lama Shenpen has also undertaken extensive retreat,
so she has become a very good scholar-practitioner. I truly respect
Lama Shenpen, as our world needs more and more
scholar-practitioners like her. I believe her new book, based on
her personal experience, will be very meaningful, authentic, and
helpful to its readers. With love and blessings, I’m pleased to
recommend it.”—Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, author of Sadness, Love,
Openness
“The Guru Principle is an insightful and nuanced discussion of the
roles of and relationships to teachers (gurus), where Lama Shenpen
Hookham delves into crucial issues for all who practice living
traditions of Buddhism. Forming a relationship with a teacher is a
central part of the authentic transmission of the experiences and
realizations leading to awakening, essential for every generation
of Buddhists. But what is this relationship? What are the
responsibilities of the student? Of the teacher? And what kind of
teacher or teachers are we seeking? So often all this is wrapped in
mystery, a bit vague or misunderstood, or it is simply not talked
about in open, plain language. With clarity, gentleness, and
directness, Shenpen Hookham shares with us her decades of
experience, her observations, experimentation, and contemplations.
The Guru Principle will help all of us—Western, Asian, students,
and teachers—navigate our paths to awakening with greater grace and
aplomb.”—Elizabeth Callahan, translator of Moonbeams of
Mahāmudrā
“I welcome Shenphen Hookham’s new book on the guru principle and
the role of spiritual authority in Tibetan Buddhism. In exploring
this topic, Hookham draws on traditional scriptural sources as well
as on her own experiences and observations as an empowered Western
teacher herself.
As this ancient tradition continues to take root beyond Tibet, it
is critical to look deeply into the guru or teacher principle and
how it can best take form in contemporary cultures and societies.
Hookham’s analysis is thorough, accessible, and extremely relevant
to Buddhist students and teachers alike. Hookham discusses the
unique challenges, questions, and uncertainty Western sanghas face
in regard to the guru principle, and she offers a systematic
approach to investigating the traditional roles and
responsibilities of a teacher and the nature of the teacher-student
dynamic.”—Judith Lief, author of Making Friends with Death
“Hookham’s greatest innovation is to draw a clear distinction
between ‘guru as person’ and ‘guru as principle.’ In doing so, she
offers the Vajrayana practitioner a way to circumvent
disillusionment and exercise caution in selecting
teachers.”—Buddhadharma
Ask a Question About this Product More... |