Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

Initiation (such as White Tara).
12. What are the signs and characteristics we should
look for in a meditation guru in each of the three
yanas? How may one tell a true guru from a false
one?
Regarding this question, there are no references in
ancient sources and so I have composed this reply
according to our Buddhist philosophy.
a. The signs of a good Hinayana guru are:
i. He has practiced the twelve dhutagunas (see Ch. VIII,
C, 2), and from his conduct we see that his Vinaya is
very good.
ii. He does not like to gather many disciples.
iii. He does not collect many worldly objects, even
though these may be permitted according to the Vinaya.
iv. Even in his old age, he still lives among mountains
or amid forests.
v. He does not like to read books or to give
preaching—he always meditates.
vi. The five poisons are reduced in him.
vii. He has the compassionate concern for persons and
for Dharma-conditions but not the compassion of the
same entity of non-condition.
b. The marks of a Mahayana guru:
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