Deities and Faith
Does a famous teacher with a long waiting list necessarily have the ability to help me?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
Fame and difficulty obtaining an appointment do not guarantee that a teacher can handle your problem. Understand what they do, how much you know about it and the actual situation after seeking help.
Looking back at seeking help for her father, Miao Nian recalled waiting about six months to see a teacher. The person spoke many words she did not understand, and someone nearby swept with a broom before declaring the ritual complete. It took about fifteen minutes, and she remembered a fee of over ten thousand to twenty thousand dollars. She did not understand what had actually been done and felt no obvious difference afterwards.
This was Miao Nian’s later recollection. From my experience, I also remind people that addressing problems sometimes requires communication and understanding causes. One method does not suit every matter. Fame makes a teacher known but cannot replace that understanding. First clarify the problem and then consider how to handle it; this is more reasonable.