How Buddhist Teachers Should Answer Dharma Questions Well 佛教老师应该如何正确回答佛法问题

In the Twenty-Third (Light Bodhisattva) Precept Against With Arrogance Unorthodoxly Speaking (第二十三憍慢僻说[菩萨轻]戒) taught by Śākyamuni Buddha (释迦牟尼佛) in the Brahma Net Sūtra’s Bodhisattva Precepts’ Text《梵网经菩萨戒本》, the last line states the following —

‘If Dharma Teachers, personally relying on understanding of the Sūtras and Discipline (Vinaya), in the Great Vehicle learning these Precepts, with countries’ Kings, Crown Princes and a hundred officials, with them as good friends, yet when new learning Bodhisattvas come to ask about these Sūtras’ meanings and the Discipline’s meanings, those with the slighting mind, evil mind and arrogant mind, not one by one well answering that asked, commit a light defiled transgression.’

（若法师自倚解经律，大乘学戒，与国王太子百官以为善友，而新学菩萨来问若经义律义，轻心恶心慢心，不一一好答问者，犯轻垢罪。）

There are a number of moral measures to be noted here, for the benefit of one and all —

[1] Sound Sources: Dharma teachers’ personal understanding of the Great Vehicle’s teachings (for Buddhahood) must be based on the Mahāyāna Sūtras, and the Bodhisattva (and/or Monastic) Precepts from the Discipline, such as this Text.

[2] Clear Clarifications: Where there are uncertainties or confusions on the teachings (including this Precept), other more learned Dharma teachers should be consulted, through their commentaries and/or in person. A second or even third opinion from more qualified teachers should be sought if explanations gathered are inadequate, with the highest references being Patriarchal Masters.

[3] Equanimous Compassion: There should be equanimous compassion to humbly answer queries, be they from high royals or powerful politicians, to lowly beginners. There should not be greedy favouritism of some, or hateful and prideful disdain of others.

[4] Complete Answers: There should not be belittling of the questioners or their reasonable questions, which should be all be reasonably answered, systematically and comprehensively, according to the Sūtras and Discipline.

[5] Clearer Clarifications: If there are reasonable questions asked about the answers given, there should be further answering. Otherwise, without further clarifications for complete closure, the answering is yet to be complete.

[6] Further Research: Dharma teachers who are unsure of the right answers to give should offer to do further research personally, ask other teachers for advice on the behalf of the questioners, and/or direct them to other teachers who can offer the answers well.

[7] Grateful Appreciation: If there are mistakes discovered by the questioners in one’s answers, there should be gratitude expressed. After all, unenlightened teachers are not perfect teachers, thus being students of better students at times too. Without appreciation of counter-questions asked and feedback offered, be one a teacher or student, one will be unamendable.

[8] Continual Learning: Dharma teachers should continually deepen their learning and practice by furthering personal understanding of the Mahāyāna Sūtras and the Bodhisattva (and/or Monastic) Precepts, so as to be better teachers, who strive towards perfecting their skilful means for teaching all.

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