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Ming Wei: They should consist of the following features: In what ways can lay teachers work together with
1. Combination of theory and practice; monastics so that there can be greater synergies in
2. Combination of tradition and modernity; bringing Buddhism to the community?
3. Propagation activities that benefit all beings;
4. Consideration of environment and ecology. Aggacitta: Mentorship under learned, well-practiced
and experienced monastic Dharma teachers would be
Geshe Namgyal: To be an effective teacher, regardless ideal. This entails studying the scriptures and practicing
if one is ordained or lay, requires one to be genuinely the Dharma under their guidance. But karmic affinity
grounded in the three higher trainings, backed up by with them and their availability are also important
scholarship and practice, and to the extent possible, determinants.
teach from their own experience. In some cases, espe-
cially where Buddhism hasn’t been part of the dominant Ming Wei: The relationship between the lay people and
culture, a lay teacher may appear as more relatable to the community should be very intimate as this will make
the students. In that way, the students may more easily the task of spreading the Buddha Dharma easier. This is
approach the teacher and see that they too could learn an important role which can be played by lay people in
and practice the path. Buddhism. Lay people should particularly learn about the
aspects of the Dharma that emphasize on the way to live
Is it appropriate for lay people to charge a fee for peacefully with others in the community.
teaching the Dharma, especially if they are full-time
dharma workers or teachers? If not, how should In this way, they may help those who are in need, look
they support themselves? after them as well as enhance the well-being of other
sentient beings. Therefore, lay teachers should work
Aggacitta: Some full-time Dharma teachers do closely together with monastics to spread Buddhism for
not charge any fees but depend on sponsorship of the sake of saving all suffering sentient beings.
transport cost and donations. Buddhist organizations
could also help to provide food and lodging and some Geshe Namgyal: It has been happening already, organi-
allowance for their resident lay Dharma teachers. The cally in relationship with lay students and monastic
Goenka Vipassana and Isha Yoga traditions are two teachers. It’s proven helpful when students, who have
contemporary models with numerous international had ordained teachers, achieve the level of training and
centers run almost solely by committed volunteer circumstances where they see themselves as able to
teachers and staff. teach, or share the Dharma, to maintain connection with
their own teachers to continue their own growth, to
Ming Wei: Of course, there’s no such thing as a free lunch increase their wisdom and skill. There are Dharma cen-
and nothing in life is free. They deserved to be paid for ters where both monastic and lay teachers are invited to
their work unless they volunteer their service willingly. teach. Sravasti Abbey, in Washington State, USA, is one
such place. The Abbess, Ven. Thubten Chodron, often
Geshe Namgyal: I would rather suggest that Dharma invites ordained and lay teachers to share their wisdom
teaching, irrespective of who is teaching it, ordained and skill.
or lay person, to remain true to the spirit of Dharma
sharing and let others make a teacher offering, based Are there any prominent lay teachers in the various
on their level of generosity and capacity. There may be Buddhist traditions that can be role models for
some factors in terms of costs and expenses to provide today’s generation of lay teachers?
for the logistics that would need to be supported, but
one must make sure it’s understood that the cost is for Aggacitta: I am not exposed to the teachings of lay
that and not for the teaching itself. teachers, and am therefore not qualified to comment on
this.