Attainment as Qualification to Teach?

[mikenz66]

Buddhaghosa apparently mentions his desire for a heavenly realm in the epilogue to the Visudhimagga:

Yes, I'm aware that some people have negative views about Buddhagosa and the ancient commentaries but I don't see the relevance to the question of how to choose a teacher.

Metta
Mike

[David N. Snyder]

Yes, I'm aware that some people have negative views about Buddhagosa and the ancient commentaries but I don't see the relevance to the question of how to choose a teacher.

Hi Mike,

I mentioned how some monks are scholar monks and may not have had much time for practice, but were still very proficient in the Dhamma and attained much merit. Chris asked for a reference for Buddhaghosa wishing only for a heavenly realm and I provided that link-reference.

[mikenz66]

I mentioned how some monks are scholar monks and may not have had much time for practice, but were still very proficient in the Dhamma and attained much merit.

Yes, but presumably those monks don't usually put themselves forward as meditation teachers. Bhikkhu Bohdi doesn't "sell" himself as a meditation instructor, as far as I recall.

To return to the topic: The teachers that I have had personal interaction with who I find particularly helpful are monastics who prepared with years of meditation practise. They have obviously experienced anything I have so far come up against, and so can provide excellent guidance. To me, that's the key, rather than exactly what their attainments are.

Metta
Mike

[Dhammanando]

Hi David,

Buddhaghosa apparently mentions his desire for a heavenly realm in the epilogue to the Visudhimagga:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhaghosa#Critics

It is Buddhaghosa's editor who expresses a wish to be reborn in heaven and later meet the Buddha Metteyya. Dhammika, like Nyanavira before him, confuses the scribe's colophon with that of Buddhaghosa himself.

Best wishes,
Dhammanando

[David N. Snyder]

It is Buddhaghosa's editor who expresses a wish to be reborn in heaven and later meet the Buddha Metteyya. Dhammika, like Nyanavira before him, confuses the scribe's colophon with that of Buddhaghosa himself.

Hi Bhante,

Okay, thanks! I hope you are around to stay regularly to clear up some of these issues / mistakes! As you can see, you have been missed around here.

[Laurens]

I heard Ajahn Jayasaro mention that even being an arahant does not necessarily make one a good teacher, if you aren't the kind of person that can teach people anyway, realising the Dhamma doesn't mean that you would suddenly have the ability to be a great teacher.

I guess this means a good teacher is a good teacher, regardless of where they are on the path.

[Cittasanto]

I heard Ajahn Jayasaro mention that even being an arahant does not necessarily make one a good teacher, if you aren't the kind of person that can teach people anyway, realising the Dhamma doesn't mean that you would suddenly have the ability to be a great teacher.

I guess this means a good teacher is a good teacher, regardless of where they are on the path.

Ajahn Chah talks about this in one of the books of his talks also,

It seams to me that there are 3 kinds of Buddha, and all three can be called Arahants.