heart wrote:
I see, it feels very much off-topic but I don't see Buddhist forums as PR for one teacher or another
Eh, sometimes it happens...
heart wrote:
Also in my experience it would be a great mistake to judge a teacher by his students even when meeting him/her in person, at least in Vajrayana. Many teachers have a collection of very "unusual" people around them.
Just like it would be a mistake to assume negative things about a lama just because one of his/her students did negative things, I also think it would be a mistake to assume great things about a student just because his/her lama is great.
I remember how things used to be on E-Sangha: A newcomer would come into the Vajrayana section and make a few posts expressing interest in Vajrayana and wishing everyone well only to be met with stiff disdain and suspicion from many of the long-time members, like someone walking into the New York Yacht Club wearing a cheap suit. Then the newcomer would say, "My teacher is [name of important lama]," and then the other members would apologize and say basically, "Oh sorry, we thought you were just another jerk!"
I hope we can stay away from forming such a name-dropping-based hierarchy here and remain welcoming to all interested members.