As many of you know, I run a mailing list with over 28,000 readers (TheDailyEnlightenment.com), which helps to disseminate news of Buddhist activities free of charge. Recently, a relatively new organisation asked me to distribute news of an upcoming activity. As I was uncertain about one of the teachers, I asked a Dharma friend about him, who voiced some controversies about his unmonkly behaviour, which I then sent to the centre asking for their views. The reply I got was ‘We are sorry that we are not in the position and capacity to comment on the information…’ This is my reply to that:
I hope you will ask the Master to clarify the issue.
If it is baseless, it’s good to clear his name.
If it is not baseless, it’s good to let him know he should change his ways.
Do let me know his response in writing.If your organisation is not enthusiastic about such potential problems,
I will more carefully consider posting any of your programs in future.
Thank you for understanding the need to protect the Dharma and its practitioners.
If students do not check their teachers, and if the teachers of these teachers are out of reach, who should do the checking? Surely, the students themselves.
Guru devotion means looking out
for the spiritual welfare of the teacher too.
If not, it is hypocritical and blind devotion.– Stonepeace
Guru devotion does not forgo devotion to the truth.
Guru devotion arises from devotion to the truth.– Stonepeace
Amituofo
Yes, we as Buddhists have to be very clear and aware of what we are doing, be it a Dharma talk or activity, is in accord with the Dharma and in no circumstances, accepting and supporting the ‘unorthodox’ or non-comforming Dharma to be propagated even if the master is of prominent figure. Everyone of us has the responsibility to ensure things are done rightly based on the teachings and not of someone’s interest or the ability to display supernatural power. As Buddha taught us, to rely on the Dharma but not on an individual..
Good point & nicely said. Good to know that article posted are well considered and with great concern. Lay person like me greatly appreciate this, so as to not be “misled”.
Indeed, it is important to ‘teach the teachers’ when they are wrong, which is liable to happen if they are not enlightened. When both teachers and students remind each other about the Dharma, their relationship will truly be fruitful ones.
😀
“If students do not check their teachers, and if the teachers of these teachers are out of reach, who should do the checking? Surely, the students themselves.” – Shian
“Guru devotion means looking out
for the spiritual welfare of the teacher too.
If not, it is hypocritical and blind devotion.”
– Stonepeace
When both teachers and students remind each other about the Dharma, their relationship will truly be fruitful ones. – Objectivelens
Totally agree with the above points.
I would have done something similar in shian’s position. Thanks for sharing so that I can learn how to bring up such issues tactfully to relevant organisations.
I wonder if we could also get to know how the organisation concerned responded later as a matter of closure.