Theos-Talk Archives (June 2002 Message tt00118)

My initial question, "Which came first, the Teacher or the Teaching?" 
seems to have triggered some controversy. This was not my 
intention. It was a sincere question meant to explore the esoteric 
significance of the Teacher and the Teaching.

Because it was presented as a koan, I forgot to take one thing into 
consideration. Koans tend to have a mentally destabilizing effect. 
That is one of their functions so the use of koans must be undertaken 
with great care. One of the functions of a koan is to assist us in 
giving up our preconceived ideas so we can experience the truth from 
the fresh perspective of a beginner.

My answer was that the Teaching came first which was based on my 
understanding of John 1:1 - "In the beginning was the Word and the 
Word was with God and the Word was God." Here, I understand the Word 
to be the Teaching. When I think of the Word, I think of the Word as 
in Logos --> Divine Wisdom --> Teaching. From the Teaching came the 
Teacher.

However, upon further contemplation, I received the impression that 
my answer was not the only correct answer.

To illustrate:

Teacher: Which came first, the Teacher or the Teaching?

Student #1: The Teacher.

Student #2: The Teaching.

Student #3: The student comes first.

Teacher: You are all correct.

A very wise student: There cannot be a Teacher without the Teaching, 
and there cannot be the Teaching without the Teacher. One cannot be 
without the other.

Teacher: Correct again.

All the students: Huh?

Teacher: There is no wrong way to answer this question.

Sometimes, it can be very unwise to explain a koan. For starters, it 
takes away the opportunity for the student to experience the Teaching 
for himself or herself. It takes away the experience of gaining 
intuitive insight. When one thinks about it, who would want to be 
robbed of the experience of understanding it for oneself. There is 
nothing quite like the experience of studying the Teaching as 
presented by a Teacher, when suddenly one gets it. It's like a door 
that opens into Infinity.

Many koans are about learning to experience different aspects of 
reality. When one gives up thinking one's reality is the only 
reality, one can recognize and respect the diversity of others' 
realities.

Sincerely,
Monica