Difference between revisions of "Teacher"
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[File:Teacher.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Teacher.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | [[Teacher]], [[Gegan]] ([[teacher]]) ([[Guru]]) ([[dge rgan]]): | + | |
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | =[[Teacher]], [[Gegan]] ([[teacher]]) ([[Guru]]) ([[dge rgan]]):= | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
A [[teacher]] ([[ācariya]] or [[garu]], [[Sanskrit]] [[guru]]) is a [[person]] who imparts skills or [[knowledge]], and a [[disciple]] ([[sāvaka]]) is one who learns from a [[teacher]]. In some [[religions]], and even within the [[Vajrayāna]] branch of [[Buddhism]], the [[disciple]] is expected to dedicate himself or herself totally to the [[teacher]] and obey him unquestioningly. | A [[teacher]] ([[ācariya]] or [[garu]], [[Sanskrit]] [[guru]]) is a [[person]] who imparts skills or [[knowledge]], and a [[disciple]] ([[sāvaka]]) is one who learns from a [[teacher]]. In some [[religions]], and even within the [[Vajrayāna]] branch of [[Buddhism]], the [[disciple]] is expected to dedicate himself or herself totally to the [[teacher]] and obey him unquestioningly. | ||
| Line 6: | Line 16: | ||
This is very much at odds with what the [[Buddha]] both [[taught]] to and required from his [[disciples]]. He advised that before [[learning]] under a [[teacher]], and even while receiving instruction, the [[disciple]] should maintain a respectful but questioning and discriminating [[attitude]]. | This is very much at odds with what the [[Buddha]] both [[taught]] to and required from his [[disciples]]. He advised that before [[learning]] under a [[teacher]], and even while receiving instruction, the [[disciple]] should maintain a respectful but questioning and discriminating [[attitude]]. | ||
| − | First, the [[disciple]] should investigate (vīmaṃseyya) the [[teacher]] by watching and listening to see if his or her {{Wiki|behaviour}} is consistent with what is being [[taught]]. Continuing to investigate over a period of [[time]], the [[disciple]] should try to see if the good qualities the [[teacher]] appears to have are internalized or only the result of making an [[effort]] or trying to impress. Other things that might indicate a teacher’s true worth are [[seeing]] if they act differently in public than in private and whether they are affected by [[fame]] and [[success]] (M.I,318-20). | + | First, the [[disciple]] should investigate (vīmaṃseyya) the [[teacher]] by watching and listening to see if his or her {{Wiki|behaviour}} is consistent with what is being [[taught]]. Continuing to investigate over a period of [[time]], the [[disciple]] should try to see if the good qualities the [[teacher]] appears to have are internalized or only the result of making an [[effort]] or trying to impress. Other things that might indicate a [[teacher’s]] true worth are [[seeing]] if they act differently in public than in private and whether they are affected by [[fame]] and [[success]] (M.I,318-20). |
The [[Buddha]] approved of [[respect]] and reverence by a [[disciple]] towards a [[teacher]]. He said: ‘A [[teacher]] should look upon his [[student]] as a son. A [[student]] should look upon his [[teacher]] as a father. United by this mutual reverence and deference and living in communion with each other, both will achieve increase, growth and progress in this [[Dhamma]] and [[discipline]].’ (Vin.IV,45). | The [[Buddha]] approved of [[respect]] and reverence by a [[disciple]] towards a [[teacher]]. He said: ‘A [[teacher]] should look upon his [[student]] as a son. A [[student]] should look upon his [[teacher]] as a father. United by this mutual reverence and deference and living in communion with each other, both will achieve increase, growth and progress in this [[Dhamma]] and [[discipline]].’ (Vin.IV,45). | ||
| Line 13: | Line 23: | ||
see also:[[Tibetan Buddhist Titles and Ranks]] | see also:[[Tibetan Buddhist Titles and Ranks]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=412 www.buddhisma2z.com] | [http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=412 www.buddhisma2z.com] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Teachers]] | [[Category:Buddhist Teachers]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:44, 12 May 2022
Teacher, Gegan (teacher) (Guru) (dge rgan):
A teacher (ācariya or garu, Sanskrit guru) is a person who imparts skills or knowledge, and a disciple (sāvaka) is one who learns from a teacher. In some religions, and even within the Vajrayāna branch of Buddhism, the disciple is expected to dedicate himself or herself totally to the teacher and obey him unquestioningly.
This is very much at odds with what the Buddha both taught to and required from his disciples. He advised that before learning under a teacher, and even while receiving instruction, the disciple should maintain a respectful but questioning and discriminating attitude.
First, the disciple should investigate (vīmaṃseyya) the teacher by watching and listening to see if his or her behaviour is consistent with what is being taught. Continuing to investigate over a period of time, the disciple should try to see if the good qualities the teacher appears to have are internalized or only the result of making an effort or trying to impress. Other things that might indicate a teacher’s true worth are seeing if they act differently in public than in private and whether they are affected by fame and success (M.I,318-20).
The Buddha approved of respect and reverence by a disciple towards a teacher. He said: ‘A teacher should look upon his student as a son. A student should look upon his teacher as a father. United by this mutual reverence and deference and living in communion with each other, both will achieve increase, growth and progress in this Dhamma and discipline.’ (Vin.IV,45).
However, the truly sincere teacher wants the disciple to attain the same level of virtue and knowledge as himself or herself or even to surpass it, and this can only be done in an environment where questioning and free expression are encouraged.
see also:Tibetan Buddhist Titles and Ranks
