Thread
:
Conditioned Existence is devoid of any unchanging, inherent self-nature?
View Single Post
07-07-2011, 01:23 PM
#
32
Uttephabeta
Join Date
Oct 2005
Posts
451
Senior Member
Hi Mudra,
When newcomers join the community they have the option of asking questions to the existing group members. This, I think is the procedure on most interent Buddhist forums. We do in fact have members who are experienced offline practitioners amongst us but nobody sets themselves up as teachers. You are, I think, making assumptions if you think none of us are capable of offering any basic suggestions to others. Also, we are from different traditions and its an open forum, so there will be a range of views.
Another thing to consider is that some of our members around the world don't live anywhere near a Buddhist centre and have family and work commitments, so that meeting offline Buddhists isn't an option for them right now.
Personally I would advise people who seek a teacher to investigate teachers very carefully and not get too carried away by charismatic gurus and their adoring students - and take plenty of time in doing so. I also think its wise to have a basic grounding in the teachings of the Buddha first rather than plunging into an offline group situation where they know nothing about the activities of the group or about Buddhism in general.
What's my own experience? More than 20 years of offline involvement and practice with Vajrayana, and more recent offline investigations and enjoyment of Theravada. I have interacted on a personal practice advice level with Vajrayana teachers and also with a Theravada teacher.
My suggestion is still investigate carefully, do some basic studies and don't be in a hurry to commit to an organisation anywhere. Teachers are just human beings, and if we get too attached to them there's always the danger that we'll never jump out of the nest and fly for ourselves .
with kind wishes,
Aloka-D
Quote
Uttephabeta
View Public Profile
Find More Posts by Uttephabeta
All times are GMT +1. The time now is
11:08 PM
.