QUALIFICATIONS FOR A MAHAYANA TEACHER From: Path to Buddhahood, Teachings on Gampopa's Jewel Ornament of Liberation by Ringu Tulku:
According to a sutra called The Bodhisattva's Levels, Mahayana teachers or spiritual guides should have eight particular qualities: 1. They must first of all follow the precepts and vows of a bodhisattva. 2. They must have studied in depth the teachings of the path of the bodhisattva. 3. Their understanding must be deep and not purely intellectual; they must have truly experienced the teachings. 4. They must feel sincere compassion toward all sentient beings. 5. They must be fearless and show a lot of courage, not only in their own actions but also when they teach others. 6. They must be tolerant and patient with their students and practice. 7. They must be tenacious and not allow themselves to be carried away by discouragement or disappointment. 8. Finally, they must be capable of communicating effectively with students. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
