What Makes For An Enlightened Teacher?

What even is an enlightened teacher?
Is it robes and rituals? Instagram quotes and incense? Or something far weirder… and more essential?

In today’s episode, we’re cracking open one of the most misunderstood ideas in all of Buddhism. We’re going way beyond titles, temples, or TikTok dharma — and asking: What actually makes someone a teacher in the first place?

It turns out, it’s not a person. It’s not a thing. According to Zen master Joshu Sasaki… it’s an activity.
And if that’s true, then enlightenment?
It’s not a certificate.
It’s a fire.

Let’s break it down.