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There can be multiple levels in training our Dharma teachers so that Dharma can be propagated to the
teachers – beginner, intermediate, and advanced so generations to come.
that we can guide people from all walks of lives in
understanding the teaching of the Buddha. In my The abilities of the Dharma teachers are very important
opinion, training the Dharma teachers is the most because if they lack proper training, they cannot benefit
important element in making the Dharma more others; at best they can only provide a superficial
common. One good teacher can inspire ten students and understanding of the Buddha’s teachings. Therefore,
the ten students can go on and bring another hundred Dharma teachers have to keep striving to improve their
students closer to the truth. The Buddha himself used to practice of Sīla (discipline or ethical living), Samādhi
preach to many leaders and kings because they are the (concentration), and Prajñā (insight or wisdom). In
people who can influence the masses. It is important addition, they would have to keep up to date with
to remember that individual charm does not last. Thus, the latest teaching methods and technologies so that
we should put in more resources to train the Dharma Buddhism remains engaged with the modern world. EH

Buddhism for Modern Minds

By JoAnn Fox

JoAnn Fox has been teaching Buddhism for over20 years. She studied
Buddhism in a traditional way through a structured study program. As a
Dharma practitioner, she has also studied many of the great works of the
Tibetan Mahayana lineage. She tries to convey the Buddha’s teachings in
a modern and simple way. She believes that the most important thing is
not knowledge of the Buddha’s teachings, but the practice. JoAnn teaches
live classes and also hosts the podcast, Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn
Fox. Her teachings are filled with humor and compassion. It was through
listening to one of her Podcasts on Buddhism that Benny Liow came to
know of JoAnn. After connecting with her, JoAnn was kind enough to
share her thoughts on how to bring Buddhism to a new Buddhist in the
following interview.

Benny: How did you first encountered Buddhism? others’ suffering, a solution to it, and a gradual path
to ending all suffering. Instead, I put that slim volume
Jo Ann: When I was 16, I bought a thin booklet on the away and lost interest.
teachings of the Buddha. It began with the Four Noble
Truths that read “life is pervaded by suffering,” and I think many people encountering Buddhism for
I thought, “what a bummer religion!” In my youthful the first time get a similar impression with all the
folly, I spurned the religion based on what I figured talk of suffering, meditations on death, and faults of
Buddhism was within a few pages. attachment. And yet Buddhism is a guide to happiness
and shows the path that leads to joy. Fortunately a few
I wish I had continued on to read the other three Noble years later, I had another encounter with the dharma.
Truths, that there is a distinct cause of our own and