Finding a teacher

[jwstone]

How does one find a teacher?
There are a few Buddhist groups in my area, but they are more Mahayana I believe.

[SarathW]

Perhaps you can contact a teacher via the Internet.
Mahayana teachers are very good too as far as you know the difference.
They are minor differences if you are a beginner.

So familiarise yourself with the Tipitaka.

[SDC]

Don’t settle for someone just because they’re in close proximity.

Good advice above. Lots to listen to online. Find someone who sounds least likely to be wrong (as Ajahn Nyanamoli likes to say) and go from there.

And yes, read the suttas.

[Eko Care]

Find someone who sounds least likely to be wrong (as Ajahn Nyanamoli likes to say) and go from there.

If ven. Nyanamoli said, then he should be Venerable Buddhaghosa.

And yes, read the suttas.

And, why not Abhidhamma?

[Lester]

This is the internet era not 500 BC where everyone is illiterate. Be resourceful and skillful.

[Radix]

How does one find a teacher?

Are you willing to bow and kneel before a person, such as a Buddhist monk? In the presence of your parents and other important people in your life?

[jwstone]

Yes, I would given the chance. However, my parents are passed on.

[Suddh]

The Buddha's advice is to look for someone who seems to have little to no greed, aversion or delusion, to minimise risks that they might advise you to do something harmful i.e. break the five precepts - this would include telling you that there are sometimes good reasons for breaking the five precepts (there aren't any). This means you should avoid any teachers who advise or exhibit anything other than an absolute, uncompromising commitment to at least the five precepts (or the core precepts of the vinaya, if they're a monk, but bear in mind that even arahants can make mistakes with minor rules). They should also be generous - especially with the Dhamma - as well as possessing strong faith in kamma, rebirth and in the Buddha's awakening. They should be grateful in attitude towards their own parents and teachers. Ideally they should also be able to endure pain, difficulty and loss with grace and calm reflection. Last but not least you should examine them for their level of discernment by observing how well they answer questions: it's a particularly good sign if they answer in a way that shows they're not just parroting what they've learned but have actually gained experience and personal insight into the matter via their own practice. The catch is that in order to really know whether or not they fit the above criteria you have to spend a long time living with them, and you yourself have to develop a certain level of wit and integrity in order for your observations to be reliable. Also, respect should be your default attitude with a prospective teacher as a good one is unlikely to share anything with someone who's disrespectful or unhelpful.