The Wrathful Guru: Exploring the Vajrayana Understanding of Anger
In this paper, I explore the understanding of tantric anger or wrathful compassion as I have experienced with my teacher. I first understand the role of the teacher within the vajrayana tradition by visiting the work of Rig'dzin Dorje, which helps in moving into what we can discern about the bo...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
[2019]
|
| In: |
Buddhist Christian studies
Year: 2019, Volume: 39, Pages: 19-26 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Rig-vdzin-rdo-rje
/ Phrin-las-rdo-rje, Karma-pa XVII 1985-
/ Thích-Nhất-Hạnh 1926-2022
/ Fischer, Norman 1946-
/ Liebenson, Narayan Helen
/ Preece, Rob 1949-
/ McRae, Emily 1981-
/ Wrath
/ Teacher
/ Pupil
/ Vajrayāna
/ Tantrism
|
| IxTheo Classification: | AD Sociology of religion; religious policy AH Religious education BL Buddhism |
| Further subjects: | B
Anger
B Tantra B Wrath B Compassion B Emotions |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (Resolving-System) Volltext (doi) |
| Summary: | In this paper, I explore the understanding of tantric anger or wrathful compassion as I have experienced with my teacher. I first understand the role of the teacher within the vajrayana tradition by visiting the work of Rig'dzin Dorje, which helps in moving into what we can discern about the both wrath and compassion. The work of Buddhist teachers, the Gyalwang Karmapa, Thich Nhat Hanh, Norman Fischer, and others, is useful for gaining various perspectives in this phenomenon. I also examine the work and teachings of Narayan Helen Liebenson and Rob Preece to understand the energetic nature of anger and wrath and conclude with taking up Emily McRae's insightful analysis of tantric anger. By the end of this investigation, I understand that tantric anger and wrathful compassion is when the teacher sees into their own duality, even for an instant, and in doing so offers insight into the ways that their students are struggling with their lack of clarity. If the ego clinging of the teacher can be dissolved enough, wrathful compassion and tantric anger then becomes a process where the needs of the teacher have been decentered and the needs of the student have been centered, which results in the arising of wisdom for both teacher and student. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1527-9472 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Buddhist Christian studies
|
| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1353/bcs.2019.0002 |