Traditional refreshment — rice colored with saffron, prepared sweet, with dried fruits and nuts.

When organizing a lama’s visit, we may encounter various problems and uncertainties. The following practical notes are intended to help avoid more serious mistakes and to answer the most frequently asked questions.

The rules of conduct listed here apply equally to all lamas, regardless of whether they are Tibetan or Polish.

Information about the visit

Most seminars and courses with Buddhist lamas concern Vajrayana teachings, which by their nature are secret and intended for those who have faith in them and who either already practice the Dharma or are determined to begin the Buddhist path. However, some lectures may also be attended by people who are generally interested in the Buddha’s teachings and wish to become more familiar with them.

We may therefore post information about the planned visit on the center’s website or send it to our mailing list—in other words, inform those who wish to receive such news—but we do not place posters or leaflets in public spaces, invite the media, etc., unless this has been previously agreed upon with the invited lama.

If, in addition to the program at the Dharma centre, we would like to organise a public lecture, we must first confirm with the lama whether they wish to do so.
 As for the lectures and empowerments planned at the centre, it is appropriate to ask which topic the lama would like to address. Often, the lama will ask the organisers for their opinion, and in that case, suggestions may be offered—but the final decision rests with the lama, who also has the right to change the program even at the last moment.

Accommodation

Buddhist teachers do not require any special luxuries. However, out of respect, we should provide the guest with a separate room where they can not only sleep but also have some privacy during the day. We should make sure that the lama’s bedroom is not used as a place for social gatherings or shared meals. Whenever possible, it is also good to provide the lama with a separate room for individual interviews or meetings.

If a Rinpoche or lama is traveling with an attendant, accommodation should also be arranged for the attendant — in a separate room, but close to the lama. In exceptional cases, some lamas prefer, or for health reasons even require, that the attendant stays in the same room. Therefore, it is best to find out in advance how many people will be accompanying the lama and what their accommodation needs are.

The choice of location is important — the closer it is to the venue of the teachings, the better. Spending time commuting each day is not only tiring but also a waste of our guest’s precious time. Also spending the whole day away from the place of accommodation (for example, having meals in restaurants) deprives the lama of even brief moments of privacy and rest between teachings, and also prevents access to personal belongings that might be needed during the day.

We should also find out in advance whether the lama has any health issues — for example, to avoid accommodating them on the fourth floor without an elevator if they have difficulty walking, or in a house full of animals if they are allergic to their fur.

Food

When inviting a lama, it is a good idea to first find out about their culinary preferences, any food allergies, or dietary restrictions. It often happens that, not wanting to offend the hosts, lamas eat everything they are offered, which can lead to discomfort or even suffering. Out of respect for the lama, we should make an effort to learn what kind of food suits them best and, as far as possible, offer what they enjoy most — or at least what will not cause them any health problems.

Visit Expenses and Offerings

The centre should provide transportation for the invited lama or reimburse their travel expenses related to the visit. If the lama is travelling with a personal attendant, the costs of the attendant’s ticket, visa, and other travel-related expenses should also be covered.

If the lama is visiting several centres, it is possible to share the common expenses (such as airfare, visa fees, insurance, etc.). In that case, the main organiser of the visit handles the overall accounting.

It is customary that at the conclusion of the last meeting, we ceremoniously present the lama with a katakalong with a donation as an expression of our gratitude for the time and effort they have devoted to imparting valuable Teachings to us. The amount of the donation depends on each centre’s financial capabilities and is an individual matter for each centre. However, we should also remember that if the lama is travelling with an assistant and/or translator, they too should be given thanks and a separate donation.