A mistake that many make
is to ask non-specialists questions
that require specialised knowledge.
E.g. Why ask a Theravada teacher
about Mahayana teachings
if he is unlikely to know or practise them?
Just as you won’t ask
an eye specialist about the heart,
why ask a heart specialist about the eye?
A professional specialist will refer you
to another specialist if asked a question beyond one’s scope.
He will not pretend to be the specialist that he is not.