Find the Buddha within yourself.

Discussion of ordination, the Vinaya and monastic life. How and where to ordain? Bhikkhuni ordination etc.
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SarathW
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Find the Buddha within yourself.

Post by SarathW »

Find the Buddha within yourself.

I was looking for a perfect teacher for quite a some time.
When I start listening or reading from a new teacher I get so excited thinking finally I got my teacher.
However when I closely examine the teacher I find subtle imperfections.
Possibly this is expected considering the fact we do not have Arahants in this day and age.
Even the Arahants may have some imperfection in their Vinaya.
I think we should not look for a perfect teacher outside of Buddha and Dhamma.

Any thoughts?
Another question is how do you handle your teacher if you are a monk.
For example if I ordained under Ven. Thanissaro I will have a big disagreement with him about the Vinnana Anidassana.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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ganegaar
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Re: Find the Buddha within yourself.

Post by ganegaar »

SarathW wrote:However when I closely examine the teacher I find subtle imperfections.
In the teacher ? or in his/her teachings?
Sīlepatiṭṭhāya naro sapañño, cittaṃ paññañca bhāvayaṃ;
Ātāpī nipako bhikkhu, so imaṃ vijaṭaye jaṭanti.
SarathW
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Re: Find the Buddha within yourself.

Post by SarathW »

ganegaar wrote:
SarathW wrote:However when I closely examine the teacher I find subtle imperfections.
In the teacher ? or in his/her teachings?
In some cases, in the teaching and in some cases, in the teacher.
For example I am uncomfortable with teachers who teach Nibbana as another consciousness. (They may be correct thought)
I also uncomfortable with teachers who say consuming alcohol ok or following Vinaya is not important. (Their argument is that Vinaya is imposed latter part of Buddha's life)
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
Chi
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Re: Find the Buddha within yourself.

Post by Chi »

I think it's important to realize all these subtle imperfections we see are projections of the mind.

All our teachers are human beings with conditioned minds and bodies. Perfectionism is a disease that compels us to judge instead of to love.

This is not to say every teacher is great or teaches perfect dhamma. I find just practicing meditation is worth more than thinking about what's wrong with potential teachers. Just take the best from everyone and relax and be grateful.
Do Good, Avoid Evil, Purify the Mind.
SarathW
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Re: Find the Buddha within yourself.

Post by SarathW »

Just take the best from everyone and relax and be grateful.
Agree and this is the message I wish to convey with this post.
Even our words are imperfect let alone the teachers.
Sometimes we miss-understand the teachers.
So the benefit of the doubt always should go to the teacher.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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Zom
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Re: Find the Buddha within yourself.

Post by Zom »

The best teacher one can find these days is someone who is always sincere. Only from this person you can really learn something.
SarathW
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Re: Find the Buddha within yourself.

Post by SarathW »

Code: Select all

sincere
'free from pretence or deceit; proceeding from genuine feelings.'

Agree.
But the problem is what they sincerely believe may not be the real truth.
For example I am sure Ven. Thanissaro sincerely believe that Nibbana is another type of consciousness.
But many of us can't accept it as it not tally with sutta teaching.
Last edited by SarathW on Mon Jan 30, 2017 7:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
Chi
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Re: Find the Buddha within yourself.

Post by Chi »

Yes sincerity is beautiful.

Here are some qualities I look for teachers and in people in general: lightheartedness, humility, brightness, softness, gentleness.

Everyone needs different teachers at different times. Some of us are too lazy and soft and we need more of a disciplinarian or warrior teacher. Some of us are too hard and rigid and we need someone to tell us to relax and do nothing.

I know in my life, I have had a propensity to be intellectual and judgmental and perfectionist. I do well with teachers like ajahn brahm who is funny and talks more in stories than in theories.

Just my two cents.
Do Good, Avoid Evil, Purify the Mind.
User156079
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Re: Find the Buddha within yourself.

Post by User156079 »

I would look for someone who is very confident, brave, talks about any topic, approachable, doesn't shy away from criticism, doesn't contradict himself or the Tipitaka, can explain everything in a coherent manner and acknowledges his own flaws and shortcomings.
binocular
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Re: Find the Buddha within yourself.

Post by binocular »

SarathW wrote:But the problem is what they sincerely believe may not be the real truth.
For example I am sure Ven. Thanissaro sincerely believe that Nibbana is another type of consciousness.
But many of us can't accept it as it not tally with sutta teaching.
I suggest bringing this up with Ven. Thanissaro. Even if all doesn't go as expected or favorably, at least some things will become clearer.
Hic Rhodus, hic salta!
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