「Demands for money, total obedience, or physical/sexual submission made by a teacher in the name of 'spiritual practice' or 'testing devotion' are valid Dharma instructions.」

It is understandable why spiritual seekers might accept harsh demands—they are often driven by genuine devotion, humility, and a deep longing to transcend their ego. However, confusing exploitation with spiritual guidance is a dangerous error. True Buddhist practice aims to eradicate greed, hatred, and delusion, not to serve a teacher's personal desires. Claiming that coercion, financial extortion, or sexual misconduct constitutes Dharma completely perverts the core purpose of spiritual training.

The Buddha explicitly warned that corrupt teachers would arise in the degenerate age, disguising their greed and lust as spiritual practice. In the Śūraṅgama Sūtra, the Buddha declares that ethical discipline (Śīla) is the non-negotiable foundation of practice: 'If one attempts to cultivate Samādhi without severing lust, it is like steaming sand expecting it to become rice' 【Source 3】. Furthermore, corrupt teachers who exploit followers for gain, claim spiritual attainments falsely, or engage in sexual deceit are defined as belonging to 'demonic paths' rather than the Buddha's lineage 【Source 3】. The Mahāratnakūṭa Sūtra also describes evil monks who display deceptive piety outwardly while inwardly harboring greed for wealth and material offerings, warning that such deceitful conduct leads to lower realms 【Source 6】. Furthermore, the Buddha emphasized that 'in this Dharma, there is no meaning of harming others' 【Source 4】.

It is heartbreaking to see sincere faith taken advantage of. Genuine Buddhist teachings always lead toward mental clarity, freedom from affliction, and ethical purity. A true spiritual friend will never violate basic ethics, demand your personal funds, or ask for bodily submission under the guise of practice. If someone uses the Buddha's name to justify coercion or abuse, the scriptures clearly state that this is not the Buddha's teaching, but the influence of delusion.