Good or Bad

By Ching

Introduction

Buddhism teaches that good and bad are not two different things but one. Neither of these two seemingly opposite entities can exist by their own without the other. I truly see that from my own experiences with a wonderful teacher during the past years.

My times in primary and secondary schools were not easy ones. Some teachers did not teach in skillful ways. To me, they were demanding and critical. Although I learned very hard, I was often studying under the fear of being rejected and punished.

Due to the different natures of education, my tertiary studies were more enjoyable. The teaching environments were stimulating and encouraging. However, after years of conditioning, a sense of fear still persisted.

Then, there I met a teacher, who truly knew how to communicate with her students skillfully. She was open-minded, understanding and flexible. With her guidance, encouragement and inspiration, learning was not only a process to acquire knowledge, but also a way to explore myself. Since then, I felt “fearless” in classroom, which enabled me to continue to develop and grow in my own way. It was a life-changing experience.

But while I was studying in a very accepting and supportive environment, certain unwelcome thoughts kept coming up in my mind: “Why were my previous teachers not like her? If all teachers were as helpful to their students as her, I would have learnt better long time ago!”

I started blaming those teachers whom I perceived as unkind, and struggling to find a justifiable answer.

I was not able to see the whole matter clearly and deeply until one day I asked myself: “Why do I see this teaching-learning relationship as particularly significant?” The answers ensued effortlessly.

“Was it not because of my past unpleasant experiences that the current ones became pleasant? If all the teachers I met were kind and helpful, is this relationship still significant?” It was clear to me that good actually grows out of bad. “And if it was not the current wonderful relationship, would I compare it with the former experiences and conclude that they were unfavorable?” I realized that bad consists of good.

In fact, when looking mindfully, a seemingly unkind teacher was not a scary person but a sufferer. How could an angry teacher be a happy person? Thus, the unskillful acts performed by such a teacher could not be intentional. Maybe as a student, he or she was also taught in the same way. With this understanding, my anger disappeared and compassion arose.

Good and bad, which appear to be different, indeed cannot be separated in isolation. They are intermingled with each other, and are part of the same experience. Perhaps, a good teacher is simply the one whom I can learn from.

Now, when I meet a skillful teacher, I treasure this teaching-learning relationship knowing that it is a blessing. And if I am taught by an unskillful teacher, I know that he or she is doing his or her best, and I wish him or her well. 

I am grateful to all my teachers, for I have learnt from each of them.