Presents the attributes of a Good Teacher citing the example of the Great Teacher, Gautama the Buddha.

1. The Buddhathe Unparalleled Teacher
pldhar1

2. Why unparalleled ?
• Freedom of thought
Kalamas
• Investigate the teacher
– As the wise test gold by burning, cutting and rubbing it so are you
to accept my words after examining them, and not merely out of
regard for me.
• Scientific temper – analytical, practical ,
syntactical – no rites, rituals, dogmas,..
• Demystified spiritual quest - self enquiry, no
closed fist
– Yatha bhuta gyana darshanam
• No restrictions of caste, creed, occupation,
gender, age

3. Attributes of a Good Teacher
1. progressively deeper instructions
– Ambalatthika-rahulovada sutta MN 523
– Bahiya sutta Udana
– Ganaka-mogallana sutta MN 874
– Brahmayu sutta
MN 753
No show of scholarship !
Simsapa
SN 1857

4. Attributes of a Good Teacher
2. Adjust the teaching to the mental
proclivities of the students upaya kusala
– Appropriate content and form
– Similes, Analogies and Stories
– The delusion of sensual pleasures MN 611
– Mental defilements : craving ,ill will , dullness
and drowsiness, restlessness remorse , doubt
SN 1611
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5. Attributes of a Good Teacher
• Similes & Analogies
– The simile of six animals SN 1255
– The lump of foam SN 951
– The chariot SN 230
– How does the Buddha train disciples? Dantbhumi sutta
MN 992
– On speculative views ? MN 590-3
– Poisoned arrow analogy MN 534
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6. Attributes of a Good Teacher
3. Compassion with wisdom
– Kisa Gotami
– Culapanthaka { rajoharanam}
– Angulimala MN 711
– Maha sala sutta SN 271
4. Non commercial
– Bahunjan hitaya bahujan sukhaya lokay
anukampaya
– Attitude towards teaching
– Upali sutta MN 484
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7. Attributes of a Good Teacher
5. No action should be detrimental to you or
the students
– Not getting angry
– Handling a difficult student – patience, explaining
from different perspectives ! MN 764
– Attitude to unjustified criticism
• Akosa Bhardvaja SN 256
• Kasi-bharadvaja SN 267
– Attitude to praise
• Sariputta’s praise of the Buddha SN 1641
• Labhsakkarsamyutta
SN 685
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8. Other Attributes
• Setting good precedents
– Bodhi-rajkumara sutta MN 705
– Daily schedule
• How to answer a question ?
– Kathavatthu sutta AN 3.67
– Abhaya-raj-kumara sutta
– Asibandhak-putta sutta
MN 500
SN 1337
• Self confidence without ego !
– Alavaka sutta SN 315
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9. Other Attributes
• Disciplinarian
– Catuma sutta MN 560
– Kesiya sutta AN
• Humility
– Dhatuvibhangasutta
MN 1087
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10. Many Thanks ! !
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