The Perfection of Teaching

The teaching of a superior being is recognized through four qualities.
It is extensive—rooted in great learning, carrying the breadth of a mind that has walked far across the territories of Dharma.
It dispels doubt—because wisdom has ripened into the capacity to unravel the knots of others, not only one’s own.
It is acceptable—because the life of the spiritual genius is itself irreproachable, and conduct becomes the silent proof of truth.
And it is twofold in its demonstration—revealing both the realm of addiction, where beings cling and suffer, and the realm of liberation, where thatness shines unobscured.
By showing these two realities together, the teacher maps the whole path: the bondage and its release, the storm and the clear sky beyond it.

From this foundation, the teaching expresses itself with further refinements.
It is gentle—never harsh, even when confronted with insult or hostility.
It is modest—unmoved by praise, untouched by self-importance.
It is tireless—the generosity of instruction never wanes, for compassion does not fatigue.
It is clear—free of secrecy, hesitation, or the evasiveness of lesser teachers.
It is varied—never repeating dead formulas, always shaping the Dharma to the exact needs of the moment.
It is reasonable—aligned with valid insight, never contradicting the workings of truth.
It is intelligible—spoken in words that land cleanly in the listener’s mind.
It is non-exploitive—free from hidden agendas, untouched by the hunger for admiration or advantage.
And it is universal—capable of guiding beings across all paths and dispositions, whether they seek modest peace, vast compassion, or complete awakening.

Thus the perfected teaching mirrors the perfected one who gives it—
broad in scope, precise in insight, flawless in conduct,
and shaped entirely by compassion’s wish to free the world.