Page 58 - EH70

F ORUM

do this, one should ask fellow aspirants and seekers for Written by Geshe Dadul Namgyal and edited by Martha
references to those qualifications in the scriptures to get Leslie Baker.
acquainted with them. This would include instructions
and guidelines on how to handle touchy situations vis
a vis one’s teachers’ behavior and instructions that Venerable Āyasmā Aggacitta is
may be perceived as out of line with Dharma. Equipped the founder of the Sāsanārakkha
with this knowledge and these tools, one should then Buddhist Sanctuary (SBS) in
examine the possible candidates for consistency Taiping, Perak, a Pāli scholar and a
in their spiritual integrity and wisdom. Likewise, meditation teacher.
the future-to-be teacher also has the privilege and
obligation to examine the student for the qualifications
on their part specified in the scriptures. Also, first Ven. Min Wei is a teacher of e-learning at the
attend the teachings like one would attend lectures International Buddhist College (IBC) and an
and presentations and carry on with one’s practice independent translator of Buddhism.
for considerable time before rushing to establish a
relationship. Only after you are confident that you can
endure and sustain a teacher-taught relationship with Geshe Dadul Namgyal is a Geshe
the person, only then commit to a formal relationship Lharampa and senior resident
through mutual acceptance. It may look like the above teacher at Drepung Loseling
approach is practical only in the context of a teacher Monastery in Atlanta, Georgia, USA
who is not at the same time a public figure, but I would
argue the same principle is applicable here also. In
short, don’t rush into it. Allow enough time for adequate
examination from both ends, particularly on the part of
the student. EH

Are you searching for a spiritually challenging work?

Do you enjoy meeting fellow Dharma practitioners, Buddhist leaders, and Dharma
masters? Would you like to introduce the latest Buddhist book you read recently?
How about researching into the latest web-sites on Buddhist activities around the
world? And of course, what about telling us how you first came in contact with
the dharma and what the dharma means to you today. Well, if you find all of these
interesting, we can make it spiritually challenging for you too!

In every issue of EASTERN HORIZON, we publish special chat sessions with leading
Buddhist personalities, essays on all aspects of Buddhism, book reviews, and news
and activities that are of interest to the Buddhist community. We need someone
to help us in all these projects. If you are keen to be part of this exciting magazine,
please e-mail to the editor at Bennyliow@gmail.com, and we will put you in touch
with what’s challenging for the next issue!
Let us share the dharma for the benefit of all sentient beings!