The Sutra of Ksitigarbha (Ksitigarbha-sutra) says:
　　Listen to the teachings with one-pointed faith and respect.
　　Do not censure or deride the speaker;
　　Honor your instructors—
　　Develop the idea that they are like a buddha.

Thus, as this says, view the instructor as being like a buddha. Eliminate disrespect; honor him or her with homage and goods by offering a lion throne and the like.

Excerpt From: Tsong-kha-pa. “The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment: The Lamrim Chenmo: Volume One”

This book presents extensive teachings on guru devotion by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, a contemporary exemplar of the practice. Rinpoche explains the importance of the spiritual teacher, advises the correct way to develop a student-teacher bond, and offers commentary on each traditional guru devotion sub-topic found in Lama Tsongkhapa’s lam-rim.

Drawing from nearly fifty teachings, this treasure is the result of seven years of painstaking editing by Ven. Ailsa Cameron. Not only does it include teachings on the traditional sub-topics that fall under guru devotion found in Tsongkhapa’s lam-rim, but also a useful outline to guide your reading, several supplementary prayers and teachings from other renowned Tibetan masters, and inspiring images of Lama Zopa, Lama Yeshe and other amazing teachers peppered throughout.

A perusal of this masterful work by Lama Zopa Rinpoche will assuage any doubts about the utility or possibility of “seeing the guru as Buddha.”

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