Qualities
The Path of Knowledge is open to all irrespective of caste, gender, religion, race, nationality, social status, language, marital status, education, age or country.
However, there are certain desired qualities that must be present in a student to qualify for this path. When these qualities are present, the student excels in this path, achieves success easily. Lack of these can be seen as an obstacle.
Qualities of a Seeker
Following is a non-exhaustive list of desired qualities.
- Intense desire for knowledge : The seeker must be highly interested in knowledge.
- Intense desire for liberation : Liberation must be the primary goal for a seeker.
- Curiosity : Must be highly curios, questioning and knowing.
- Intellect : Must have a sharp intellect. Should grasp the teachings quickly, memorise them and understand them thoroughly.
- Logical : Must possess logical abilities. Should clearly understand and use logic.
- Rational : Must be rational and coherent.
- Discerning : Must be able to distinguish between true and false, right and wrong etc.
- Open Minded : Must be free from blind beliefs and dogma.
- Skeptical : Must not be gullible. Should examine all evidence carefully.
- Critical Thinking : Must possess the ability to think critically. Should not believe everything blindly. Resist indoctrination.
- Sincerity : Must be sincere and honest.
- Determination : Must be fully determined to walk on the path.
- Dedication : Must be fully dedicated to the path, this has to be the highest priority.
- Patience : Highly patient. Ability to be still and wait.
- Discipline : Highly disciplined in terms of behaviour and mind.
- Respect for knowledge : Must have great respect for knowledge. Should not misuse it.
- Respect for teachers : Must respect teachers, and listen to them carefully.
- Minimalism : Must possess only that which is necessary.
- Pure Mind : Must be free from afflictions.
- Attentive : Well developed abilities of the mind, especially attention. Long attention span and acute attention.
- Fast learner : Should quickly zero in on the essence, discard the nonessential.
- Communication Skills : Must be effective communicator. Ability to convey their thoughts beautifully and efficiently.
- Command on Language : Should be proficient in language. Use cultured language. Know language style of philosophers. Must understand complicated concepts and sentences.
- Peaceful, nonviolent, non-competitive : Must be free from such lower tendencies.
- Rebellious, free, unmoving : Must prefer freedom. Resist being ruled or dominated. Should be courageous.
- Maturity : Lack of lower animistic tendencies or addictions etc.
- Health : Healthy body and lack of bodily and mental afflictions.
- Independent : Must be financially and socially independent with good moral values and nice character.
- Detached : Must remain detached from worldly affairs. Should not try to fix the world or other people.
Worthiness
Presence or absence of these qualities largely determine the worthiness of a student. A worthy student is ready for the path of knowledge.
Teachers also prefer a worthy student. They are considered rare. Teachers may sometimes evaluate or test the worthiness of a student. When they are found to lack a majority of these qualities, they may be rejected.
Cultivation
Some of the qualities are inherent, such as interest, curiosity etc. Nothing can be done to develop them. But many of these can be developed such as intellect, patience and language etc. Usually, as one walks on the path, one starts acquiring the needed qualities.
Knowledge brings about qualities. Qualities bring knowledge. This is a self reinforcing loop.
A teacher can also help in cultivating the required qualities and preparing the student.
Sub Goal
Amount of ignorance is directly proportional to the lack of qualities. So a sub goal for a seeker is cultivation of these qualities. This can last for a life time. The task is not easy, but the pay back is enormous.