During the annual (early) Teacher’s Day lunch gathering organised by friends of Pureland Practice Fellowship on Sunday, which was quite moving to me, I spoke of the need for more leaders in terms of sharing the Dharma, which everyone agreed to. But I also spoke of the challenge of finding and being Dharma mentors. After some reflection a day later, here are some of the criteria I can think of at the moment…
Ought to Haves:
~ Vast and ever-expanding general knowledge
~ Great deal of common sense
~ Scientific in understanding and outlook
~ Good moral conduct, that emulates Bodhisattvas as much as possible
~ Proficient and balanced at least in general knowledge of all Buddhist traditions
~ Specialises in one key Buddhist tradition of choice
~ Learns and practises the Dharma constantly
~ Clear diction in teaching
~ Good in general English, Chinese, Sanskrit and Pali
~ Good general knowledge of religions and philosophies
~ Spontaneous
~ Humourous
~ Courageous
~ Responsible
~ Open-hearted and open-minded
~ Patient with every student
~ Compassionate
~ In short, exemplary as a model Buddhist
The above list might not be exhaustive. Any more points to add, anyone? Myself strive to meet the suggested criteria. The good news is that practice makes perfect. That’s how we can all become Buddhas, the best of teachers!
Thank you everyone, for the gift of the radio set for listening to translated upcoming Dharma talks in India. And thank you for sharing with me on how my Dharma sharing has made a difference in your lives. May we strive on together to make Pureland Practice Fellowship an ideal avenue for fellow Buddhist friends to learn and practise the Dharma together. Amituofo.
Thank you, Shian. I have learnt alot from you. I noticed that one of your ought to have criteria is ‘Great deal of common sense’. Yes indeed, buddhism involves a great deal of comon sense.
Thank you for sharing.
I totally agree that dharma teachers have to be responsible for their speech as lots of layman attend classes to better understand buddhism. I have come across teachers who use the teachings of karma to ‘scare’ students into not doing certain things or entice them that they will get certain merits if they do certain things. Dharma teachers should be in a better position to explain the logical workings of karma and impair correct buddhist values .
Hi Lilian, yes! And beyond common sense is less common wisdom needed, and the only way to accumulate it is continual Dharma learning and practice… till it becomes ‘common’, second-nature to us.
Hi Sin Yin, yes indeed… Karma has to be explained in a clear rational manner to cultivate confidence in its workings, beyond mere fear. One of the ways I like to do so is by this section on the Four Assurances in the Kalama Sutta: https://moonpointer.com/new/2010/05/why-be-good Amituofo
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Hi Shian,
looking at the list of the qualities of Dharma mentors, i am afraid there aren’t many people left. those who qualify are either Buddhas or Maras (in that they think they have achieved those qualities).
I still believe that qualities of dharama mentors should include the willingness to entrust to the Triple Gem. After all, all of us are foolish sentient beings “incapable of much good”. Only wholehearted entrustment to the Triple Gem (or at least striving to be wholehearted) need to be the quality.
Of course, there are other social dimensions which need to be taken care of, which should not be confused with the spiritual dimensions or merge into one entire list.
With metta,
Alvin
Hi Alvin, agree! The list is just one of ideals that we can strive towards as we do what we can, even if they not perfected yet… especially since we are not perfected yet. Amituofo
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Sadhu x 3. I think Shian gave a very good list. I think its a good checklist we measure ourselves against (especially for Dhamma teachers). I think Dhamma teachers needs to teach and try to grow in those areas.
1 more point, I think Dhamma teachers should also be Dhamma coach rather than just teachers. The difference being that coach not just dispense Dhamma lessons, but also take active role to guide the spiritual development of the students.
Yes, good teachers are good coaches too. Semantics perhaps… cos usually we don’t think of the Buddha as a coach but as a great teacher, though he does coach!
(Y)
http://enlightenmentward.wordpress.com/2010/12/30/sex-and-the-sangha-letters-and-leadership :
It’s important to be important. That seems to be the biggest deal of all.
* Importance does not equal leadership.
* Visibility does not equal leadership.
* Position does not equal leadership.
* Title does not equal leadership.
* Accomplishment does not equal leadership.
* Awards do not equal leadership.
* Accumulation does not equal leadership.
* Attention does not equal leadership.
* History does not equal leadership.
* Influence does not equal leadership.
What then does characterize leadership?
* Inspiration
* Respect
* Risk
* Concern
* Compassion
* Confidence
* Trustworthiness
* Reliability
* Intelligence
* Honesty
* Participation
* Competence
* Responsibility
* Clarity
* Humility
* Wisdom
* Dedication
* Vision
* Ethics
* Ability to admit to and place self-interest second
* Communication
* Generosity
* Patience
* Integrity
* Fairness
* Assertiveness
* Openness
* Creativity
Those all come from various business and management websites. Interesting how so many overlap with such things as the Paramitas and how most are mentioned numerous times in so much of the Buddhist canon.
So if Buddhist leaders don’t want to bother with the Buddhist literature then at least a course in management or better still management ethics might be in order.