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Who's decision was it to call the website a "university"? Was that my decision, or his? The decision to call it a "university" is what makes me want to clarify
by esbeeb 3y ago
Who's decision was it to call the website a "university"? Was that my decision, or his? The decision to call it a "university" is what makes me want to clarify what peer-perceived credentials he might have to that extent.
If you were considering enrolling in a university, would you look into the reputation of that university? I'll bet you would. You'd want to know what it's reputation is like. Well, I'm offering insights into that, and yes his seniority got pulled into that description. He's quite a junior monk to be running his own website. In the Theravada world, this would be almost universally discouraged (it isn't just me who feels this way): trying to run a website while still quite a junior monk. There's no way my own teacher would have approved of it. Theravada culture is conservative - guilty as charged there.
As to his wisdom: I've never actually lived with him, so I can't comment on what he's like. He seems astute enough from my dealings with him. No complaints from me, other than that choice of the word "university". These sorts of things - someone's wisdom - can only be seen with time. As to his choices of what he curates on his website: I agree there's a lot of great resources listed there. My tastes and his are a little different - which is to be expected - and I wouldn't say there are any "red flags" to speak of. It's a solid website. Please don't be discouraged from checking it out. I'm not trying to stop anyone from going explore it. Thanks for taking the time to check out Theravada Buddhism. :)
PS: I have a personal little indie website here:
https://bhikkhu.ca/ https://bhikkhu.ca/
...but I don't go so far as to call it a "university". It's a personal website, which doesn't make itself out to be anything more than that.
- cgio 3y agoA student asked the teacher, “teacher can you teach me?” And the teacher asked “can you?” The student said “no” and then they were both silent.
- tasuki 3y agoI'd expect a buddhist teacher to be a lot more chill. You took issue with him calling himself a "dean" while he only called himself a librarian. The website is called a "university" but obviously he's not pretending to be a real credentialed university, it's just a cute website title. Here you had a good chance to reflect and backtrack. But no, he's quite a junior monk to be running his own website. Well, I'm not even a monk and run my own website, how about that?
- srge 3y agoI agree with you. He seems so full of hate and preconceptions that it almost sounds like a troll. Also who calls himself a monk and spends time on social media? Not that it’s supposed to be forbidden but social media is basically the death of attention…
- denton-scratch 3y ago> I'd expect a buddhist teacher to be a lot more chill. Not me. Teachers are like anyone else; they come in all shapes and sizes. They have personalities, passions and emotions, just like everyone.
- dashwehacct 3y agoMany people forget this. It’s unfortunate. I’m not teacher, but my interpretation of Buddhism isn’t to not say “damn!” When you stub your toe. But rather to question why you said “damn!” When you stubbed your toe.
- bowsamic 3y agoHow many actual Buddhist teachers have you met?
- tasuki 3y agoDepending on your definitions, somewhere between one and three.
- bez_almighty 3y agoLet me give you a really good piece of spiritual advice: Don't harsh other people's yum. Secondly, Buddhism isn't a corporate ladder with annual promotions, it's a set of understandings. 10 years or 10 hours, it's not the time that matters, it's the understanding. Maybe examine why you're really putting down this guy's effort? Is it really about him, or is it about how you feel about yourself? Also: don't allow yourself to be goaded by this comment, or by this situation, everyone's intentions here are positive. If they are wrong, let them be wrong. With that in mind, my final word: Give yourself the validation you need, or give up on the need entirely.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- mdhen 3y agoYou should probably try out some other religion, because Buddhism isn't working out for you