How To Find A Good Spiritual Teacher

Ten Principal Qualities of a Spiritual Teacher

From a Dharma Talk by H.H. The Dalai Lama & "Great Treasury of Merit", Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

1. Having a mind that is controlled by the practice of moral discipline, that is, a disciplined mind – having an ethical discipline.

2. Possessing a mind that has become peaceful and undistracted through the practice of concentration – a calmed mind that is the result of having mastered the higher training in meditation and concentration.

3. Reduced self grasping through the practice of wisdom, that is, totally calmed – having mastered the training in wisdom (of non-self).

4. Possesing a greater knowledge than the disciple. Teacher must have knowledge that exceeds that of the student.

5. Having a vigour and enthusiasm in teaching the Dharma.

6. Having a wealth of scriptural knowledge.

7. Possessing a deep and stable realization of emptiness – or at least a deep commitment to the practice of compassion.

8. Being eloquent and skillful in explaining or presenting the Dharma.

9. Having a deep compassion and love for the student – probably the most important quality.

10. Possessing the quality of resilience for teaching the Dharma, being free from discouragement or laziness, no matter how many times he or she has to repeat the teachings.

It is particularly important for a Spiritual Guide to have greater knowledge and higher realizations than his disciples. Ashvagosha said that if we follow a Spiritual Guide who has lesser qualities it may cause our own good qualities to degenerate. Disciples naturally follow their Teacher's example, so a Teacher must be authentic, not pretending to have qualities and realizations he does not possess. For example, if a Teacher pretends to have realizations but in reality indulges in drinking alcohol, sexual misconduct, or other negative actions, this will cause his disciples' behaviour to degenerate.