“Of great relevance for all times..
Goenka Guruji warned the Assistant Teachers yet again in 2006 during his Dhamma Desana at the Global Pagoda, "You ATs are likely to spoil the Dhamma, so beware!"
He also asked the old mediators to stay vigilant and ensure that the pristine purity of Dhamma is maintained, it being Paripurnam & Parishuddham!”
The warning to ATs was given in his close talk to them, during the enshrinement of Rupa Dhatu in October 2006 - that's the first time ever I heard Goenkaji addressing the ATs recalls Dr Rajendraprasad Chokhani.
As regards asking the old students to be vigilant to ensure the pristine purity of Dhamma, Goenkaji said that often during the old students' events, in the last 3 - 4 years of his life..
What a foresight, our Dhamma Father had..
Dr R Chokhani
Vipassana Teacher
________________________________________
Words of the Buddha
Introduction to - Udāyīsuttaṃ
How Dhamma Should be Taught
‘‘Tatheva pañhaṃ parisāsu pucchito;
Na ceva pajjhāyati na maṅku hoti;
So kālāgataṃ byākaraṇārahaṃ vaco;
Rañjeti viññūparisaṃ vicakkhaṇo .”
“When asked a question amongst an assembly,
He neither hesitates nor feels annoyed,
Timely are his words, skilful his explanation,
A wise assembly gets delighted.”
‘‘So tādiso sīlavisuddhiyā ṭhito;
Visārado hoti visayha bhāsati;
Nacchambhati parisagato na vedhati;
Atthaṃ na hāpeti anuyyutaṃ bhaṇaṃ.”
“Firm in purity of sīla, unshaken,
Confident and able he does speak,
Without fear before an assembly he doesn’t tremble,
Not sacrificing the true meaning for irrelevant words.”
This sutta refers to the Venerable Udāyi, also called Mahā Udāyi to distinguish him from others by the same name. Mahā Udāyi was the son of a brahmin of Kapilavatthu and was reknown for being able to attract and address large crowds in the proper way.
In the present sutta Ānanda encoutered Mahā Udāyi preaching to many housholders. When he reported this to the Buddha expressed and praised the five necessary qualities that someone teaching Dhamma should have established within himself: ‘anupubbiṃ’ - ‘pariyāyadassāvī - ‘anuddayataṃ paṭicca’ - ‘na āmisantaro’ - ‘attānañca parañca anupahacca’
At another time at Kusinārā while highlighting the inherent qualities of a Bhikkhu who could be able to reproach others the Buddha pointed to five similar attributes in his approach when giving advise necessary for a Dhamma- teacher: ‘‘Katame pañca dhammā ajjhattaṃ upaṭṭhāpetabbā? ‘Kālena vakkhāmi , no akālena; bhūtena vakkhāmi, no abhūtena; saṇhena vakkhāmi, no pharusena; atthasaṃhitena vakkhāmi, no anatthasaṃhitena; mettacitto vakkhāmi, no dosantaro’ti – ime pañca dhammā ajjhattaṃ upaṭṭhāpetabbā.” – “ I will speak at the proper time, not at an unsuitable time; I will speak according to the truth, not to untruth; I will speak in a gentle manner, not harshly; I will speak if it is beneficial, not if it is unprofitable and I will speak with a mind filled with Metta, not while harbouring anger.’’
Udāyīsuttaṃ – How Dhamma Should be Taught!
Thus has been heard by me. At one time the Buddha was staying near Kosambi, in Ghosita‘s park. At this time the Venerable Udāyī was sitting, surrounded by a large assembly of householders and teaching Dhamma to them. The Venerable Ānanda saw the Venerable Udāyī sitting, surrounded by a large assembly of householders and teaching Dhamma to them. Having seen this, the Venerable Ānanda approached the Bhagavā, having approached the Bhagavā he sat down at one side. Having sat at one side the Venerable Ānanda addressed the Bhagavā thus: “Bhante, the Venerable Udāyī is surrounded by a large assembly of householders and teaching Dhamma to them.”
“It is, Ānanda, not easy to teach Dhamma to others. Teaching Dhamma to others, Ānanda, requires five qualities to arise within him while he is teaching Dhamma. What are these five?
Dhamma should be taught to others with the thought: “I shall say what I want to say in progressive order.”
Dhamma should be taught to others with the thought: “I shall say what I want to say with expositions.”
Dhamma should be taught to others with the thought: “I shall say what I want to say out of compassion.”
Dhamma should be taught to others with the thought: “I shall say what I want to say with no interest for any gain.”
Dhamma should be taught to others with the thought: “I shall say what I want to say without hurting myself or any others.”
“It is, Ānanda, not easy to teach Dhamma to others. Teaching Dhamma to others, Ānanda, requires these five qualities to arise within him while he is teaching Dhamma.
________________________________________