Q58: Venerable Sir, it is, some say, unreasonable that a meditation teacher is unable to confirm that so and so yogi among his students becomes Sotāpanna. Is that true?

问58：尊者，有些人说，禅师不能印证他的学生中某某某是初果是不合理的，真是这样吗？

Yes, it may be unreasonable from their point of view, but it is very appropriate to Sāsana tradition that a meditation teacher is not able to confirm that so and so person among his yogis becomes Sotāpanna. The Buddha is the only one in this position to confirm someone’s enlightenment such as sotāpanna, sakadāgāmi, anāgami or arahat.Even Venerable Sāriputra never did it that way. So we never do this way, either. This is the appropriate way in the Sāsana tradition.

确实从他们的观点看是不合理，但是禅师不印证他的学生中某某某是初果却非常符合佛教的传统。佛陀是唯一有资格印证他人证果如初果、二果、三果、四果的人，即使舍利弗尊者也没有这样做过。所以也我们从不这样做。这是符合佛教传统的。