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What do you think a teacher should do?
Jeffrey
Veteran
Entertaining that there could be teachers...so I consider extensive discussions on invalidity of teachers to be a thread hijack.
My own view of teachers is that they should answer students questions about meditation and dharma topics. Also if the student has some kind of personal problem, then use that as an opportunity to learn how to apply the dharma.
My own view of teachers is that they should answer students questions about meditation and dharma topics. Also if the student has some kind of personal problem, then use that as an opportunity to learn how to apply the dharma.
0
Comments
If you think this, then you are right... Because the best teacher in the world is...YOUSELF.
We dont NEED teachers or books etc etc (remember buddha himself didnt agree with his teachers therefore set off on his own) (and there were no booksback then)
But we like to read books and listen to teachers because we think its easier and interesting hearing what they have to say. But like i said YOU are YOUR teacher. so whatever u think a teacher should do, your right! x
Being a Zen-teacher is not a very special or very difficult job and we can do without nonsense about the relationship between teacher and student. A teacher’s job is important enough as it is. He can facilitate longer periods of meditation and help us to avoid some pitfalls there. He can inspire us and keep us going. He can give talks, write books and most importantly, his own life can be a shining example of practice.
Teacher in our current world teaches "knowledge" , giving insight , providing information to student but in search of Buddha , "knowledge" is only tiny part therefore in Buddhism no Dalai Lama or even Mr Siddharta should be regarded as "teacher" . Mr Siddharta only as introducer of this pure great energy to mankind .
In Buddha , there are no true or false , no right or wrong , no relationship like "teacher/student" or even "father/son" ,is all of same and equal.
Bardor Tulku Rinpoche
Sir , in search of own purity nothing should be regarded as referral to Buddha , no text or scripture or anyone teaching even if from Mr Siddharta himself . You Mr Karma Dondrup Tashi are on your own journey .....you have to explore to know yourself of what "moves" you , what is your awareness . Not something you MUST believe , or any evident you must belive . Knowledge is forever changing ...learn to gain knowledge but not makes knowledge limit your awareness .
Teachers should not indulge students with kindness all the time, they should attack their problems ruthlessly when given the chance.
However, many times, it's the students that fails the teacher because they are not determined enough to want to change themselves.
I think if you have expectations for your teacher, you've already weakened your resolve to change.
Without teachers we wouldn't be having this discussion at least as Buddhists. We have all accepted Shakyamuni as our teacher and we only know of his teachings through books, and ...well....teachers.
Those who have walked further along the path can certainly help guide us, but they cannot walk for us.
To me a teacher should explain the teachings and how it applies to us. For meditative schools, the teacher should instruct meditation techniques, and be able to help students who get into problems or bad habits with their practice, and or understanding of the teachings.
They should also be of good character and behavior. They don't need to be perfect saints, they are still human after all and will make mistakes, but they should at least be able to see the error of things like theft, substance abuse, and sexual abuse. They should live the teaching.
Buddha had 2 teachers.
At this time in India there were many religious teachers. One of the best and most well known was Alara Kalama. Ascetic Gotama went to study under him. He stayed and was taught many things, including meditation. He worked hard and eventually equalled his teacher in learning. Finally Alara Kalama could not teach Gotama any more and he said, "You are the same as I am now. There is no difference between us. Stay here and take my place and teach my students with me."
Thus, Gotama left Alara Kalama and went in search of a new teacher. At last he found another great teacher, Uddaka, who was famous for his cleverness. Again, Gotama learnt very quickly and soon knew as much as his teacher
When your heavily deluded, how can you awaken without guidance from Good Dharma Friends?
Without teachings from Sakyamuni Buddha, how could we talk about the stuff we talk about on here?
The teachers have already seen the moon. The textual teachings may be taken many different ways to the unrealized mind, and are disputed between traditions (even within traditions). These teachers have gone beyond the words that everyone else clings to. They no longer have to have faith or confidence in what the "finger" of teachings is talking about, are not entangled in views about whether it means this, or that, or something else altogether. They know.
They have Right View and can guide others, knowing where the other's mind is and when it has finally become freed of its ignorance. That is their worth, and it's not small. It is not necessary to have a teacher for some, in the same way people may learn to drive without being taught, but it is rare to reach the goal without someone else who is beyond any doubt to guide you. It is more like learning to fly a space-rocket on your own, which no doubt a handful of geniuses could... but not many else. And genius has nothing to do with this; intelligence can actually be a barrier to spiritual growth.
I wish I had one.
How can any man so sure they have better awareness than a tree in Buddhism ?
Awareness of one person cannot be measured or compared , is a process of one understanding of it own nature / emotions / pollutant against purity .
Learning Buddhism is easy / fun and interesting , if boring or difficult than it must be wrong .
Nothing - no text / scripture or materials or no one including Mr Siddharta can be associated to Buddha .