The Spiritual Guide
What is meant by a spiritual leader?
All religions, philosophies and worldviews have leaders, masterminds, gurus or priests. Almost always there is a person (or group) dedicated to transmitting the teachings (such as me, who brings the words of Buddha into the present).
In Buddhism there is also a special connection between teacher and student, because the teaching is to be passed on directly (as far as possible).
Alone the countless variations of Buddha's world view offers as a subject of study plenty of material to fill entire books, but Buddha's teachings were written down only long after his death, time brought one or the other modification, various translations made the situation even more confusing.
Today it is difficult to figure out what came from Buddha, and what scholars interpreted into the philosophy after his passing.
To get an overview here as a beginner in Buddhism is almost impossible, the need for guidance is obvious. Each teacher usually follows the teachings he/she was taught, in my case my master Shi Yanzi, who is now the head of Shaolin Temple London. He in turn follows his master, who is today the abbot of Shaolin Temple in China, Shi Yong Xin. The Mother Temple in turn follows the view of Bodhidharma, the founder of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, and of course the Buddha as the supreme authority.
In the beginning, there is the basic knowledge about the Buddhist teachings, which I try to integrate into everyday things in my texts, in order to present them in a palatable way and in morsels.
However, Buddhism is different from the monotheistic teachings familiar to Central Europeans; in Buddhism, one's own initiative is required, one must do one's own research. The matter is not finished with a gift into the offering box, no, to reach perfection effort and perpetual effort is necessary.
Logically I can be here only the signpost, the way must go all seekers themselves, comparable with a mountain guide I will show the way to the summit, but not for other people the path then go.
Sometimes every human being is a student, occasionally also a teacher. Especially the internet is teeming with teachers, with "net preachers" of all kinds, spiritual instructions with every possible focus, you can also pray to a fish head, if you only firmly believe in it.
What are the duties of a spiritual teacher in Buddhism?
He/she must teach the spiritual teachings of Buddha, explain his philosophy, point out the essence in his/her own words, point to personal awakening with an outstretched finger. I point, you go. If you don't want to then just stop, then maybe you go on another time.
The way is the goal!

Perfect is the hero, the leader, the great seer, the one who achieves victories
- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama

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