Communication and Boundaries
Can a teacher or supervisor control every action of students or employees?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
Being able to teach and remind does not mean controlling all of someone’s choices. A company leader does not know every action employees will take after work. A spiritual teacher’s position likewise cannot by itself make every student act as hoped.
When students do poorly, I do my best to teach and help. But if someone deliberately chooses that behaviour, they may not accept others’ words. People still need to learn to face their own grievances and questions of right and wrong maturely, rather than hand every consequence of their choices to someone else.
Where an explanation is needed, it is still possible to respond and clearly state the matter and the points that should be upheld. But do not carry the attitude, ‘You attacked me, so I will find a chance to bite back.’ Fulfilling responsibilities differs from remaining angry and competing for a moment’s verbal satisfaction.