How Can We Tell We Are a Good Practitioner?

[icy]

The effectiveness of our practice can be measured by looking at our mood. If we are in better spirits, the practice is working. We can take heart because we have a purpose, to exchange whatever sadness we meet for joy. The smallest personal damage can be put to use to dissolve great suffering and do away with negativity. If there is a way, we try to stop unfortunate things from happening, but when unhappy events occur we meet them optimistically. We never let negativity discourage us or injure our ability to help.
Setting out on any adventure demands determination. We may have to toil and struggle with setbacks along the way but the trials we face are short-lived. We can endure them because we have a great end in mind: to benefit all sentient beings. Remaining good-natured and enthusiastic shows that our efforts are succeeding. Being cheerful is the sign of a good practitioner.

[Q]

How can we tell if we are a good practitioners? If we observer ourselves and see that we have chanced positively throughout the years in Dharma... then that makes us a good practitioner.

Learning the Dharma is not only being well versed in the texts. What matters most is how much we apply the teachings. If Dharma knowledge can make us all enlightened, then the Buddhist scholars in universities will all be enlightened by now, but that is not the case... therefore there is something more to knowledge, which can only be obtained from deep meditation and contemplation to develop wisdom.

So how to we gauge our self?

If we used to be lazy... we are less lazy now.
If we used to be angersome.... we are less angry now.
If we used to have negative thoughts about Dharma... it is lessen now.
etc.

Everything negative that causes us to stay longer in samsara, will lessen if we practice well... the faster, the better.

[kris]

I was told one of the ways to check if we are good practitioners is to check if we are more selfless each day. If we are able to give up our attachments for the benefit of other beings, it would be a good indication of good practitioner.

If we are able to influence others to learn Dharma and because of the Dharma grows, it is also a very strong indication that we are good practitioners!

[brian]

I think the ultimate way to check if we are/have been a good practitioner is by way of seeing the results of ourselves. We check on the tasks we were given by our teachers, our behaviour before and now, old bad habits, have we gotten more people who like us or have we gotten more enemies, have we changed in terms of perspective in cherishing ourselves. Hyou will know when you have been a good practitioner when you check others' opinion on you. Sometimes its hard to see/judge ourselves.

[bambi]

I agree with what all of you have said here. There are so many ways to check to see if we are indeed practicing. I have old close friends who see that I have changed, happier and lighter. And then there are my family members who are also patient and seeing results. We can also from time to time ask people around us ways to improve whatever our faults. Another way to check is when your Lama is giving you more teachings or giving you hints here and there regarding your attitude or way of thinking. Like Q said, if we rely only on books, many would be Enlightened now... Hehehe..

[Tenzin K]

Personally being a good practitioner to me is referring to how much we have change from our Dharma practice.

Learning and realize doesn't really tell that we are practicing because it’s just an understanding without an action to actually proven the result.

We learn, we realize, we put into practice progressively we see result. The result is a permanent action that leads us to another level of realization and another positive result and it continue until we are able to liberate ourselves and others.

Consistency play a big role in our spiritual practice that make us continue our effort to do more and more for others and the result not just ourselves but on others that we are benefiting to.
When our mind are consistent with our action in our Dharma practice we shall see the result and this should be one of the way to gauge whether we are a good practitioner.

[Klein]

How can we tell if we are a good practitioners? If we observer ourselves and see that we have chanced positively throughout the years in Dharma... then that makes us a good practitioner.

Learning the Dharma is not only being well versed in the texts. What matters most is how much we apply the teachings. If Dharma knowledge can make us all enlightened, then the Buddhist scholars in universities will all be enlightened by now, but that is not the case... therefore there is something more to knowledge, which can only be obtained from deep meditation and contemplation to develop wisdom.

So how to we gauge our self?

If we used to be lazy... we are less lazy now.
If we used to be angersome.... we are less angry now.
If we used to have negative thoughts about Dharma... it is lessen now.
etc.

Everything negative that causes us to stay longer in samsara, will lessen if we practice well... the faster, the better.

I agree with Q. One more thing to add is that the practitioner develops compassion. The practitioner becomes more and more selfless, thinking of how to benefit others always and spending less time focusing on the self.

With consistency and resilience, we will be able to notice our transformations. People around us will also notice and be inspired.

[fruven]

Perhaps we do not avoid the things we hate or dislike now compare to last time. We no longer choose the things we like ourselves. Instead of doing things we are comfortable with we do things that is beneficial in the long run than short terms.

Maybe we can accept mistake done to us by others instead of expecting everything to be perfect. We accept we can make mistake as well and doesn't take it as reason to blame ourselves and others. Seriously not getting so serious with mistake but to improve whatever we are doing constantly.

[dondrup]

Perseverance – a good practitioner perseveres and will never give up despite meeting many challenges and obstacles encountered in the spiritual path.

Humility – a good practitioner is humble and will never proudly display their attainments.

Eight Worldly Concerns – a good practitioner strives to be free from the eight Worldly Concerns.

Three Poisons – a good practitioner strives to be free from the Three Poisons – attachment, anger and ignorance.

Bodhichitta – a good practitioner works for the benefit and happiness of others at every moment.

Eightfold Noble Paths – a good practitioner practises the Eightfold Noble Paths.

The Six Perfections – a good practitioner practises the Six Perfections of Giving, Patience, Effort, Moral Discipline, Concentration and Wisdom.

Vows and Commitments - a good practitioner holds and keeps his vows and commitments purely.

And so on.

[Midakpa]

There are signs we can look for, both external and internal. These are signs that we have undergone mind transformation to a certain extent. The results of mind transformation is that, outwardly, we appear soft and "sweet". Inwardly, we feel generally happy, calm and peaceful. When we are scolded or insulted, we remain calm. There is no anger in the heart. On the whole, we are more patient, diligent, generous, caring and respectful of others. We are also more humble, and have practically abandoned the eight worldly concerns. We are more mindful of our actions of body, speech and mind and are careful not to hurt or harm others. We go out of our way to help people and are not easily discouraged by failure. There is guru devotion.