Which is quite another situation.Peter wrote:It doesn't take much to turn the OP into a realistic question:
"What do you think is the single most important question you could ask a wise teacher?"
But is this really a realistic scenario? Would a really wise teacher give you an answer without knowing you well - without knowing your strong and weak sides, without knowing your past progress, your successes and your failures? A teacher who has not yet had time got get acquainted with his students, can of course give good general instructions. But in order to give a real meaningful answer about what is right for just you, he would need time to get to know you. And during that time you could, and should, ask him many questions.Far from being a useless question I have found it to be very relevant. When I get an opportunity to talk with Bhikkhu Bodhi I have time enough for one direct question. As much as I'd like to sit and chat with him for an hour or three I am simply not given that opportunity. Or if a monk is traveling giving lectures to a crowd I am lucky if I get called on during the question & answer period. Again, no chance for lots of back and forth or multiple questions. I have a single opportunity and I have to make it count.
Therefore this situation of putting a single question to a wise teacher, is a mirage. If a teacher really ventures to give you personal guidance without knowing you well, you may rightly doubt his wisdom ...