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without a teacher?
is there any instance where once becomes a Buddha without the help of a teacher? I am just not the teacher/student type.
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Yes. In Theravada, they're called solitary Buddhas (paccekabuddha). However, the general consensus is that it's not easy to become enlightened without a teacher.
I've never had one of those either, in all my years as a Buddhist.
I guess it shows at times, but I don't feel as if I have personally suffered greatly.
Everyone I meet is a teacher, in a way.
Every book I read, and everything I come across, takes me one or two steps forward....
So stay calm, and relax.
It's cool. :cool:
That's entirely up to you.
I agree with this. Different strokes for different folks dude. Do it the way you feel comfortable with. I haven't had a teacher for many years now and I have made progress without one, so it's possible and not even that difficult IMHO.
If you are able to meet an enlightened teacher, then the advice and guidance is invaluable. For an advanced practitioner, there are many nooks and crannies that are not evident to the eye. I would not underestimate the value of guidance, and the subtleties and layers that are available to the Dhamma practitioner. Only a truly Awakened individual who has walked this path will be able to impart and guide appropriately, in my opinion. If you wanted to cook some eggs, you might do it yourself or follow a cookbook but if you wanted to master the art of advanced cuisine, I don't think it would always be enough. Be careful of arrogance also. All IMO.
Phew! That's a tough one
No! I'm right!
Sorry the psychoanalytical thing resurfaces, but it's an interesting comment for someone to make.
Do you trust anyone enough to be your teacher?
Personally I don't although I let buddhism itself be my teacher and if I could find a teacher on this earth I would love and cherish the opportunity.
I know what it's like to be autodidacte and self-sufficient and there is a certain amount of pride in people like that, like us
Now there are different approaches to what having a teacher mean. In Theravada, usually the idea of having a teacher is to follow the words of the Buddha. In other traditions, it is having a living being as a teacher. They're really just different variations on the same theme as Buddha is Buddha. The point is to find the one that resonates with you and works the best for you. But whatever way you choose, it is always important to remember that this is not a journey that you can make yourself alone. You need a virtuous guide or you will become completely and totally lost. In that case, better to sit home and watch TV and drink beer...
Palzang
Palzang
For example, someone who is very competitive will take up the practice of meditation in a competitive way. "I'm going to be the best meditator and sit straighter and longer than anyone else!" And then they're constantly checking and comparing themselves to everyone else. Practicing with this attitude will not get you very far. A teacher will see this and gently prick the bubble of self importance. But without a teacher, thet person will take a long time to see their fault, if ever.
Man, that's defeatist! There is a great deal a person can do by themselves outside of the classic teacher / student paradigm.
Nowadays there is a bounty of information out there which can be accessed and applied. Admittedly, this takes some effort and it can be a very lonesome approach but ultimately, "you" have to do it for yourself anyway.
The Dharma is also in the wire if you look, so even in this regard you are not entirely alone.
Now if you happen to live close to a great Dharma centre with wonderful teachers and friendly participants, then you'd be silly not to check it out and perhaps benefit from it. On the other hand if you don't then you have to use other means, not just give up and drink beer.
As for being able to accomplish anything meaningful outside the teacher/student relationship, only on a very superficial level. Beyond that you run the very great risk of only increasing your delusion and confusion. I've seen it happen far too often. I know, we're all just too damn proud to admit that maybe we don't have all the answers or that we can't do it by ourselves. However, I would just point out that we've been revolving on the wheel of death and rebirth since time out of mind. How far have we gotten on our own?
Palzang
I think having an offline teacher is very good when we set out on the path. Books and internet resources don't give that one-to -one interaction.
It's also important to have a meditation teacher for instruction.
However, the teacher shouldn't become some kind of lifetime crutch that we can't think or function by ourselves without.
The teacher points the way, suggests practice, gives feedback, but in the end we still have to make the effort ourselves - and eventually it can be a breath of fresh air to eventually take a leap and find that we can drop those crutches and begin to start walking alone.
_/\_
I'm not cursing anything.
So, in other words...
...as a working family man...
...I can pretty much forget it for this lifetime, unless I alter my priorities, ie. dump the wife and kids and scoot off to Shangri-La?
......which is why I chose to study in the Theravada tradition.
Palzang
You bad boy:rolleyes: