107-The Spiritual Guide - Buddhism in daily life

The Spiritual Guide


What is meant by a spiritual leader?


All religions, philosophies and worldviews have leaders,
masterminds, gurus or priests. Almost always there is a person
(or group) dedicated to transmitting the teachings (such as me,
who brings the words of Buddha into the present).


In Buddhism there is also a special connection between teacher
and student, because the teaching is to be passed on directly (as
far as possible).


Alone the countless variations of Buddha's world view offers as a
subject of study plenty of material to fill entire books, but
Buddha's teachings were written down only long after his death,
time brought one or the other modification, various translations
made the situation even more confusing.


Today it is difficult to figure out what came from Buddha, and
what scholars interpreted into the philosophy after his passing.


To get an overview here as a beginner in Buddhism is almost
impossible, the need for guidance is obvious. Each teacher
usually follows the teachings he/she was taught, in my case my
master Shi Yanzi, who is now the head of Shaolin Temple London.
He in turn follows his master, who is today the abbot of Shaolin
Temple in China, Shi Yong Xin. The Mother Temple in turn follows
the view of Bodhidharma, the founder of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, and
of course the Buddha as the supreme authority.


In the beginning, there is the basic knowledge about the Buddhist
teachings, which I try to integrate into everyday things in my
texts, in order to present them in a palatable way and in
morsels.


However, Buddhism is different from the monotheistic teachings
familiar to Central Europeans; in Buddhism, one's own initiative
is required, one must do one's own research. The matter is not
finished with a gift into the offering box, no, to reach
perfection effort and perpetual effort is necessary.


Logically I can be here only the signpost, the way must go all
seekers themselves, comparable with a mountain guide I will show
the way to the summit, but not for other people the path then go.


Sometimes every human being is a student, occasionally also a
teacher. Especially the internet is teeming with teachers, with
"net preachers" of all kinds, spiritual instructions with every
possible focus, you can also pray to a fish head, if you only
firmly believe in it.


What are the duties of a spiritual teacher in Buddhism?


He/she must teach the spiritual teachings of Buddha, explain his
philosophy, point out the essence in his/her own words, point to
personal awakening with an outstretched finger. I point, you go.
If you don't want to then just stop, then maybe you go on another
time.


The way is the goal!





Perfect is the hero, the leader, the great seer, the one who
achieves victories


- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama





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