Mi'sen

A useful heuristic for evaluating the competence of your Buddhist teacher is how literally he interprets the "ten fetters" model, and how much he clings to the hope that he will eradicate the fetters, or the belief that he already has. 1/

The "fetters" include things like anger and sensual desire. In other words, the belief is that you won't get angry, horny, or even hungry if you get enlightened enough. 2/

Does that sound unlikely to you? That's because it is. The ten fetters model is not grounded in observable reality. It's based on an overly literal interpretation of ancient Buddhist texts, aka fundamentalism. 3/

If a teacher is talking about the ten fetters with a straight face, he may be useful as an inspiration or a religious leader, but he will not be effective in helping you with your own practice. 4/

You, like everyone else who has ever walked upon the Earth, will fail to eradicate your anger and desire. If you want to wake up, avoid teachers who believe (or profess to believe) things that aren't true. 5/

If you want to know what's true, look around you and see what you see. Then look within you and see what you see. 6/

If only it were that easy

It is that easy. That's the joke.