Only Buddhas should be our foremost Teachers in all circumstances?

[User13866]

Sometimes Buddhas just aren't seen for millions of kalpas, and Teachers are still needed.

He who sees Dhamma, Vakkali, sees me; he who sees me sees Dhamma. Truly seeing Dhamma, one sees me; seeing me one sees Dhamma.

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitak ... .wlsh.html

[Mahabrahma]

Some people assert that the Dhamma was invisible to most before the advent of Gautama. So even those highly prospective Learners may have been forced to have a Teacher other than Buddha. And there may be a time like that again. I am just trying to clarify what is thought is meant by this rule.

[perkele]

Some people assert that the Dhamma was invisible to most before the advent of Gautama. So even those highly prospective Learners may have been forced to have a Teacher other than Buddha. And there may be a time like that again. I am just trying to clarify what is thought is meant by this rule.

As far as I'm aware the Buddha merely stated that such a thing is impossible. He listed these six impossible acts for a sotapanna, just as a categorical statement of fact without any moral undertones.
Calling it "a great wrong" is an English translator's choice of words, translating a Pali commentary, not the word of the Buddha.

And there may be a time like that again.

According to the Buddha there certainly will be a time like that again, and these "dark times" are far more common than the "lucky times" as we are still living in now where the Buddha's teachings are still somewhat available to follow after.

The question is maybe: Are we satisfied with these left-over "scraps", or do we want the full meal, or even cook it by ourselves? It might take some eons longer that way.

[Mahabrahma]

Because there's life on so many other planets especially even in the present moment, Enlightenment is needed there as well.

Someone had to take the Dhamma to them...



He's got to go, he's the Gingerbread man!