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I'd expect a buddhist teacher to be a lot more chill. You took issue with him calling himself a "dean" while he only called himself a librarian. The website is called a "university" but obviously he's not pretending to be a real credentialed university, it's just a cute website title.

Here you had a good chance to reflect and backtrack. But no, he's quite a junior monk to be running his own website. Well, I'm not even a monk and run my own website, how about that?



"If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him."

Probably every culture has something to say about pretentiousness, false prophets, stolen valor, etc.

I think this is just a case of friendly fire.

u/esbeeb got fluffed up, commented in public, and is now in a public food fight.

Better would have been to keep this private. Now his best PR/diplomatic move would be to say he'll confer with the "chief librarian" offline and he's sorry for all the fuss.

We've all been there.

PS- Yes, I know, this koan is most often interpreted to mean one should tackle one's own preconceptions. I'm making a point. Before getting dramatic, first get curious.


I agree with you.

He seems so full of hate and preconceptions that it almost sounds like a troll.

Also who calls himself a monk and spends time on social media? Not that it’s supposed to be forbidden but social media is basically the death of attention…


What's the problem with a monk sharing wisdom on social media? Somebody has to spread the word.


The supposed wisdom isn't really apparent in this case.


> I'd expect a buddhist teacher to be a lot more chill.

Not me. Teachers are like anyone else; they come in all shapes and sizes. They have personalities, passions and emotions, just like everyone.


Many people forget this. It’s unfortunate.

I’m not teacher, but my interpretation of Buddhism isn’t to not say “damn!” When you stub your toe. But rather to question why you said “damn!” When you stubbed your toe.


> I'd expect a buddhist teacher to be a lot more chill.

The perception that monks can never exhibit emotion or should always be relaxed is a purely American idea and a stereotype.

https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?artic...


I'm not American, I'm a European.


(the perception that a random poster on the internet is American is a purely American idea and a stereotype ;-)


How many actual Buddhist teachers have you met?


Depending on your definitions, somewhere between one and three.




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