A real Guru needs no false propaganda

Today we see many Gurus trying to lure prospective disciples by posting internet ads, uploading vague YouTube videos, giving discourses in reputed organizations, visiting rich countries, getting interviewed by celebrities, displaying or talking about miracles, and so on.

Did Buddha resort to any such means to attract disciples? One Sutta in the Tipitakas (DN 11: Kevatta Sutta) narrates an incident in Buddha’s life when Buddha was lured to take that route but he rejected these cheap means to attract disciples.

Buddha was in the well known city of Nalanda, a city that hosted one of the most ancient Universities in the world. The city was full of rich, knowledgeable, and influential people. One of Buddha’s admirers namely Kevatta, suggested to Buddha that Buddha should arrange a display of psychic powers by his disciples so that more people in the city can get attracted and become Buddha’s followers.

Buddha rejected the very idea. He said that though psychic powers are real, they can be acquired by various means. Also, they are not very useful in the long run. The only miracle he believes in and propagates to others is the ‘miracle of instruction’

Buddha talks elaborately about his practical approach that leads one to long lasting peace, which can be experienced ‘here and now’. What is this miracle of  ‘instruction’ Buddha is talking about?

Buddha’s way starts with ‘right way of living’ – honesty, non violence, simple living, non coveting what does not belong to you, not amassing wealth, restraint over sense desires, being content with what you have,

Try contrasting these things with how some modern Gurus live!

Buddha goes further. He says one should develop mental focus. One should meditate to calm down the mind. One should develop ‘insight’ to know the reality of our existence – transiency of both the body and the mind, the root cause of all misery, and the way out of it. This and only this can give us long lasting peace and is the greatest miracle. And that is the miracle Buddha believes in teaching.

If you see carefully, most of what Buddha says has parallels with what Patanjali says in his eight fold path of Yoga (refer to my book “How and Why of Yoga and Meditation”). I have always held that Patanjali’s Yoga had Buddha’s instructions as a precursor.

And again contrast this with Hatayoga where the emphasis is more on body, and myriad mysterious notions (refer to my book “Hatayoga – Myths Shattered”) that can be hardly verified ‘here and now’.

Yes, a real Guru knows the difference between true instruction and fakery. And he needs no propaganda to convey his ideas to people.