Understand
Yourself First
Before instructing
others, one has to know the subject thoroughly. It is very important
for one to undergo religious practice. Without having experienced
for oneself, it would be difficult, if not impossible, for one
to instruct others properly.
'It cannot be, Cunda, that one who is sunk in mud can
pull out another who is sunk in mud.' - M.I:
45
Not
Easy to Teach the Dharma to Others
One day
the Buddha said, 'Truly, Ananda, it is not easy to teach Dharma
to others. In teaching Dharma to others, establish well five
things, and then teach. What five? Teach Dharma to others thinking:
-
'I
will speak Dharma in a gradual way;
-
I
will speak with the goal in mind;
-
I
will speak with kindliness;
-
I
will not speak as a means of gain;
-
I
will speak not to harm anybody.'
For truly,
Ananda, it is not easy to teach Dharma to others. So, in teaching
Dharma to others, establish well these five things.' -
MIL 183; G.S.III: 136
Who
will Profit from Learning?
There are
these four persons found in the world:
-
One
with little learning who does not profit from his learning.
-
One
of little learning who does profit from his learning.
-
One
of great learning who does not profit from his learning, and
-
One
of great learning who does profit from his learning.
- A.II: 5
The
Way People Understand
-
Ugghatitañña
- One who learns by taking hints.
-
Vipacitañña
- One who understands after learning the full details.
-
Neyya
- One who has to be led on by systematic instructions.
-
Padaparama
- One who just learns by rote. - AM: 135
Learning
and Presentation
-
One
who comprehends the meaning but is unable to explain it clearly.
-
One
who is slow to comprehend the meaning but is able to explain
it clearly.
-
One
who has both of the above qualities.
-
One
who has neither of them. - A.II: 135
How
to Answer Questions
According
to the Buddha, there are four ways of treating questions:
-
Some
should be answered directly in brief.
-
Others
should be answered by way of analysing them.
-
Yet
others should be answered by counter-questions.
-
And
lastly, there are questions which should be put aside because
there are no answers to certain questions,
or because the questioners are not in a position yet to understand
the answers. - A.II: 45
Qualities
of a Teacher
The Venerable
Sariputta said, 'When one who teaches wishes to teach another,
let him establish five good qualities and then teach. Let him
think:
-
I
will speak at the right time, not at the wrong time.
-
I
will speak about what reality is, not about what is not.
-
I
will speak with gentleness, not with harshness.
-
I
will speak about the goal, not about what is not the goal.
-
I
will speak with a mind filled with love, not with a mind filled
with ill-will. - A.III: 195
'You
yourself should make the effort for your salvation,
The Buddha teaches you how to gain it.
Those who enter this Path and who are meditative
Are delivered from suffering.' - Dh: 276
'Do
not depend on others for your salvation;
Develop your self-confidence to gain it.' - D.II:
100
Accept
Wisely
One should
not accept anything out of emotional faith: But one should use
one's common sense and understanding before accepting anything.
- M.II: 170
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