As practitioners, we must ask for teachings: we must supplicate the teacher to turn the wheel of Dharma. This is encouraged not only in the Mahayana but in all the yanas. This is why we have the seven-limb supplications. There is so much benefit in requesting teachings, especially if you supplicate not just for your own benefit. If you request teachings with a motivation triggered by renunciation and compassion (bodhichitta) — if you are requesting the teachings to benefit all beings — this is the supreme way to request.

-- Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche