[Buddha-l] To whom should teachings be given

[dvf at umich.edu]

Mike Austin wrote:

> Can anyone shed some light on the following verses from Shantideva 
> Ch. V >concerning suitable candidates for teachings. I would be most 
> interested to >know the origin and the meaning behind them.

> 88
> The Dharma should not be explained to those who lack respect,
> To those who, like sick men, wear cloth around their heads,
> To those holding umbrellas, sticks or weapons,
> To those with covered heads,

> 89
> Nor to a woman unaccompanied by a man.
> The vast and profound should not be taught to lesser beings,
> (Although) I should always pay equal respect
> To the Dharmas of the lesser and higher beings.

Mike,

These are among several verses in Chapter 5, including verse 85 and 
88-98 that are taken, as Stephen Hodge wrote, from the Pratimoksa, or 
monastic code. I'm not sure what version they are taken from, but 
Crosby and Skilton note that they appear as quotations from some 
Mahayana sutras in the Siksasamuccaya.

They also mention that these verses are not present in the version of 
the Bodhicaryavatara found at the Dun-Huang caves, so they may have 
been added to the Sanskrit version at some later time.

In any case, they should be read from the persepective of the monastic 
order. Thus, a monk should not teach to a woman without another man 
present in order to guard the celibacy of the monk, and to maintain the 
moral decorum of the meeting.

The Sanskrit commentary explains "lesser beings" as "those people whose 
intellects are not prepared (for the teaching)" and "whose aspirations 
are low (hina)." It is hard to know if anyone specifically is meant. 
I'm not sure which translation you are reading, but I would translate 
the last sentence of verse 89 as follows: "The inferior and the 
superior teachings (dharmas) should be treated with the same respect."

The commentary says that "the inferior and superior teachings" here 
refer to the teachings of the Disciples' Vehicle and to those of the 
Great Vehicle, respectively.

In regard to the first verse, I'm not sure who is being referred to 
when it speaks of not teaching the dharma to those people who wear 
turbans even when they are healthy. Perhaps it could refer to other 
ascetics? However, it seems that the dharma should be taught by the 
monks to those who approach in a respectful and nonviolent fashion.

Best regards,

Dave Fiordalis