學習去看(Learning to see)--2

問：要如何判斷一個老師該有怎麼樣的素質？



答：人們起先認為所有的西藏僧侶都是很有學問的，他們身上所穿的僧袍令許多西方人印象深刻。但其實大部分的僧侶並非是很有學問的。正確的學習有賴於正規的教育，穿著僧袍在西藏只是一種文化上的傳統，並不就意味著達到證悟。佛法修行者需要的是一位完成正規教育的真正具格老師，老師們不一定要是僧侶，他們也可以是博學多聞的在家修行人。為了在學習佛法的路上避免障礙，我們應該依法不依人。我們應該要做到，就算跟隨著一位不完美的老師，仍然有足夠的知識告訴自己如何去行為才是正確的。學生對於佛法的依止是有可能比老師還要如法的。這種情形會發生在當老師雖然正確地給予了一些法教，但他自己卻沒有將它們運用在生活中的時候。特別重要的是，一個值得信賴的老師應該要擁有淵博的學問以及慈悲心。在金剛乘裡，作為一個老師必須實際上先達到證悟才行。雖然在擁有這些特質的老師身上，我們會自然地湧現信心，但是透過學習佛法而生起的信心也是非常重要的。





問：檢驗老師是有可能的嗎？



答：如果你擁有對金剛乘完整的認識，就可以去檢驗你的老師。你可以審視他的教育背景和所接受到傳承，與他有多廣泛地運用這些法教。這就像是在大學裡檢驗一個教授一般。你可以試著找出那個教授在他的領域裡表現得多麼傑出，或問其他學生他的口碑以作參考。我們可以用這樣的方式去檢驗一位老師的知識。然而，只有在你自己實際練習禪修之後，你才有能力判斷老師的實際禪修狀態。總結以上，在一開始就對「法」有比較親密的了解是有必要的。


Kkö-info: How can one judge which qualities a teacher really has?



Rinpoche: People initially thought that all Tibetan monks were very learned.


Their robes impressed many westerners.


But most monks are not very learned.


To learn properly requires formal education. In Tibet, wearing a robe is a cultural tradition.


Anyone who wears a robe is not necessarily enlightened.


Dharma practitioners need real qualified teachers who have completed their education.


They don't necessarily have to be monks; they can be learned lay practitioners.


In order to avoid obstacles when learning the Dharma, one should follow the teachings instead of the teacher.


One should know enough to act correctly even with an imperfect teacher.


It is possible to follow the teachings more closely as a student than the teacher does himself.


This happens when the teacher correctly transmits the contents but does not live according to their meaning.


In particular, a teacher worthy of trust should have great knowledge and compassion.


In the Vajrayana the teacher should actually be enlightened.


Faith can therefore develop in such a teacher who possesses those qualities, but it is also very important to develop faith through study.


Kkö-info: Is it possible to check on one's teacher?


Rinpoche: If you have a thorough knowledge of Vajrayana philosophy, you can check on your teacher. You can look at his education and the transmissions he has received, and to what extent they were practiced.


It is similar to checking a professor at a university.


You can find out how good a professor is in his field; you can ask other students or teachers for references.


In this way one can check on the knowledge of a teacher.


However, the quality of a teacher's meditation can only be judged if you have developed meditation yourself.


And therefore it is necessary for you to first become intimately familiar with the Dharma.