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Ask A Teacher
Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 3:52 pm
by plwk
Do you people think this idea is even possible over here? Below is taken from the sister site at DWT...
(Btw...ZFI=Zen Forum International)
How about an Ask A Teacher Forum like ZFI has ?
It would need to be a different format to that of ZFI. The teachers could be for example those Bhikkhus with a teaching remit, the mods etc..
Anyone can pose a question...but only those recognised to do so and named can answer in THAT specific subforum..
The rest of the forum functions as normal.
There are huge advantages.
It cuts out meta discussion and reduces papanca to a minimum.
It has become the go to place on ZFI. In fact as far as I am concerned it has become the only go to place on ZFI..but then I am not a Zennist.
I would anticipate that a similar forum here would be more integrated into the overall forum.
Those addicted to meta discussion will of course blanche at the very suggestion.
But a brief visit to Zen Forum International will see that it has been highly sucessful in terms of actually focussing on Dharma/Dhamma.
Re: Ask A Teacher
Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 8:11 pm
by Ngawang Drolma
I think if we got enough teachers on board it would be a great feature to have.
Best,
Laura
Re: Ask A Teacher
Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 8:50 pm
by Blue Garuda
We have a similar sub-forum for Tantra here:
http://www.dharmawheel.net/viewforum.php?f=90" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I dont think those who teach are necessarily better sources of advice and information.
Poeple tend to ask for ad hoc advice.
If we set up a Q&A I would either have threads open for others to read, or if sensitive, the OP could ask for responses via PM.
Re: Ask A Teacher
Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 9:34 pm
by DGA
I'm not convinced the answers given by the teachers present at ZFI are necessarily more accurate, useful, or authoritative than answers given by committed, experienced students of the Dharma with no teaching credentials here at Dharmawheel. And in my opinion the conversation at that board suffers because no one listens to each other, they only listen to the one with the authoritative position on the board of the teacher (the Sage on the Stage problem crops up..). That's the downside.
just my two bits, even though no one asked for it...
Re: Ask A Teacher
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:17 am
by Astus
ZFI can have Zen teachers, Dhammawheel can have bhikkhus (or not). But who qualifies as a Mahayana teacher? Either we can set up a standard or it just doesn't work that way. The bodhisattva spirit says one learns from whomever one can and sees the buddha in all beings.
Re: Ask A Teacher
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:40 am
by retrofuturist
Greetings,
FWIW, I was against it at Dhamma Wheel too -
http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=7519" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I think people eventually came to see that maybe it wasn't such a good or necessary idea after all...
Metta,
Retro.