Preventing and resolving problems

• Preventing difficulties
• The role of institutions in preventing and managing problems
• Educating teachers so they are prepared to teach in foreign contexts
• Unusual behavior
• The unsuitability of unconventional behavior for the endurance of the Dharma
• Misunderstandings regarding the realization of emptiness
• The qualities of ideal lay tantric practitioners
• Abusive teacher-student relationships
• Resolving problems

The Foundation of Buddhist Practice 24: Preventing and resolving problems (download)

Contemplation points

1. Why is it so important to be aware of monastic discipline, even as a lay person? Similarly, why is education needed, both on the side of the student and spiritual mentor, to facilitate beneficial Dharma relationships between them, particularly as the Dharma spreads to new areas of the world?
2. It can often be misunderstood that highly realized practitioners are “beyond ethical conduct.” How is this a misunderstanding of the teachings? Explain in your own words why quite the opposite is true.
3. Why is the advice of seeing the guru’s actions as perfect not meant for general practitioners? What is the best way to respond if we find our spiritual mentor is engaged in questionable behavior or asks us to do something non-virtuous?