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book’s emphasis on non-attachment and experiential the same school. His personal integrity and knowledge
realisation led me to become a monk. inspired me a lot, plus the religious lessons and sessions
he would give used to be my favorite go-to programs
After I became a Theravāda sāmaṇera, I read a thin in the school. I almost left school before finishing it
booklet by Jack Kornfield which was a compilation to join a monastery, but my above teacher and others
of questions and answers with Ajahn Chah. I was talked me into spending the only remaining one year
immediately inspired by his teachings and started to finish school properly. Soon thereafter, I went to the
learning Thai seriously so that I could communicate Institute of Buddhist Dialectics (IBD, back then called
directly with him when I went to him. Buddhist School of Dialectics) and fortunately met yet
other similarly remarkable teachers there such as Gen
However, my attention was diverted by the latest news Lobsang Gyatso, Gen Jangchup, Geshe Dhamcho, and, of
that Burma had begun allowing foreigners to meditate course, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who founded IBD
in Mahasi Sayadaw’s meditation centre in Rangoon. and from whom I received my pratimoksha, bodhisattva,
So, I ended up in Burma instead and became a bhikkhu and tantric precepts. After graduating from IBD, I left for
under the venerable Mahasi Sayadaw himself. south India to complete my Buddhist studies at Drepung
Loseling Monastery under the mentorship of some
There I was inspired and deeply influenced by Sayadaw exceptional masters. I also kept in contact with the
U Paṇḍita’s structured approach to teaching meditation above High School teacher until he passed away.
and his aptitude in matching scriptural theory with
Dhamma practice and vice versa. He also encouraged What are the qualities of your teacher(s) that
me to translate his Burmese Dhamma Rhymes into convinced you that he/she is an authentic spiritual
English. I did quite a few but we were advised by a master?
Western yogi that this would not go well with foreign
yogis, so it was curtailed. However, a few years ago, I Aggacitta: Looking at the pattern of how I got inspired
composed my own and they are generally well received to pursue the spiritual path, you can notice that I was
by both young and old Malaysians. not so attracted to or reliant on teachers but was more
inspired by their teachings. So, for me the authenticity
Ming Wei: The late Master Thich Nhat Hanh is one of a spiritual path is far more important than the
of the most important teachers for my practice qualities of a teacher. Nevertheless, I was impressed by
of Buddhism. He gives very helpful and practical Sayadaw U Paṇḍita’s altruistic commitment to teaching
instructions on mindfulness, concentration and meditation far and wide.
insight. He describes many profound and deep
observations into simple yet powerful teachings in Ming Wei: An authentic master does not just give
which we can practice in our daily life—including us information, answer questions, but also set as a
walking, driving, eating, drinking, sleeping, brushing role model, provide inspiration through his personal
or doing the dishes. He teaches us how these ancient example, and always link the teachings back to the
teachings can be applied in each moment of our lives. Buddha. Moreover, the teacher should always encourage
Furthermore, he shows us the connection between us not to take everything as the truth, but to test the
personal, inner peace and peace in our world and teachings ourselves. Thus, it is best to focus on the
discovering the miracle of the present moment. teachings rather than the teacher.

Dadul: In my High School, we had a religious instructor Dadul: Their consistent kindness, compassion, moral
who was also a monk. His name is Gen (Tibetan for integrity, and wisdom are the main qualities that
Teacher) Jamyang Gyatso. He had been my excellent set them apart from others. In other words, they are
Tibetan Language Teacher as well for several years in sincerely living the bodhisattva ideal of caring for others