All the teachings, all the masters of the teaching, the great Vajrayana or Dzogchen [masters] request highly the devotion first and then the intelligence

Therefore, all the teachings, all the masters of the teaching, the great Vajrayana or Dzogchen [masters] request highly the devotion first and then the intelligence. This makes sense because we see disciples who were very close to the Buddha they could not develop such view, such realization but only pride, jealousy and hatred. They caused a lot of troubles, even tried to kill the Buddha. So when no devotion, no success at all. So whether you are successful in the path or not, definitely depends on the faith and devotion.

Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche, “DEVOTION IS ESSENTIAL – Not Intellighence or Smartness”