In this day of the internet and social networking websites and search engines, it is not always easy to define what organization may be ‘for real’ (as my grandkids would put it) and which sites are a scam or who is a teacher and who is not.

Yesterday, on one of the social networking sites, I posted a little teaching – it was funny, and really applicable to the Western way of thinking – but I had some doubts about the ‘Lama’ (as did a friend) because of the information about online classes and need for funds.  But, being new, how do you know who is a really qualified teacher and which organization or group is a truthful one?

Far be it from me to be able to define what works for someone else – but if you find (as I have) that you have a need for guidance in something like the above situation, here are some suggestions:

`1. Check out the teacher the individual follows

  2. Read between the lines – being asked for money, money, money?

  3. If you are still in doubt, check it out with a well known

      teacher or group – a suggestion of where you might find

      information like this is on the viewonbuddhism.org website

      under the ‘controversy’ tab.  There is a list there of

      questionable teachers and groups, as well as comments.

In my own situation, twice now I have nearly gotten involved with a group that I would not want to be involved with – including the “Lama” whose teaching I posted on the social website.  It was a funny and basically sound little work, but the teacher is very questionable.  (Well, I had no intent on becoming a student of his, but I wouldn’t want to promote his business anyway.)

And remember the bottom line: peace, loving kindness, compassion, The Four Noble Truths, the Path – these are all for free.