釋禪波羅蜜次第法門 2.108

2.108

Second, doubt regarding the teacher: “That person's deportment and appearance are like this; he himself does not yet possess the Way, so how can he teach me?” Entertaining such doubt and arrogance directly obstructs concentration. The method for removing it is as stated in the Mahāyāna [treatise]: “It is like gold in a foul leather pouch: because one desires the gold, one must not discard the foul leather pouch. The practitioner is also like this: although the teacher may not be pure, one should still regard him as a Buddha.” This matter is fully clarified in the Mahāyāna [treatise] explaining Sadāprarudita seeking a good spiritual friend, and should be explained at length here.