Why Buddha is a leader in the true sense of the word.

The Buddha’s teachings are given from experience and genuine compassion for life. He does not read from a book or his own notes, he is the book and the notes. He provides information that he has not read or heard from others but from his own journey and his own experiences. He would not be seen as a leader in the sense of the word that most people would interpret it. When people think of a leader names such as the President of the United States, General, Football coach, or boss typically come to mind. These are positions held by well-established and respected people who are giving out orders and/or directions to others and expecting them to follow. The Buddha does not tell anyone to do what he believes is right, he simply informs them of the things he himself has discovered. When he addresses the five monks in the Dhammacakkappavatana Sutta he does not tell them they are wrong or make them feel inferior. He speaks to them and asks them to think about the things they believe in at that moment. He offers them the idea of the four noble truths and walks through them while asking them if they agree. He sets the wheel in motion for them to begin to understand, he doesn’t try to force them to learn something because he says it is so. He allows them to take ahold of the wheel and steer while he shines the light ahead. This allows the monks to comprehend the truth for themselves and “rejoice at the words of The Blessed One”. With this method the Buddha is able to help monks, seekers, or bodhisattvas to discover their own truth and not simply just believe in his truth. Typically leaders believe they know the one universal “right” way or best way, and any other options are not as efficient or just plain wrong. They attempt to make you believe they know best. The Buddha has his own truth, and he simply wants to shine light in areas for others to search for theirs. This is the selfless and compassionate way that the Buddha offers his knowledge. In the next discourse of the Buddha, the Anatta-lakkhana Sutta, the Buddha walks the monks through their own thoughts rather than trying to implant ones he believe to be correct. He asks them to question what they believe to explain what they are actually searching for. Instead of trying to answer their questions of what and where the atman is, or tell them what he may believe is the answer, he asks them to consider where they believe it could be. By doing this, the Buddha is able to lead (in the true sense of the word) the monks on a journey within their own thoughts. He allows them to systematically come to disprove and believe that the atman is not anywhere they suppose it could possibly be. By doing this, the Buddha allows the monks to realize the truth on their own accord. He allows them to teach themselves something different than what they believed before, which was not working for them. This in turn allows them to truly come to believe, what they are discovering, in their own minds. They are not relying on the word of another, but coming to understand and believe their own truth. This is what makes Buddha a leader, the ability to allow others to discover reality for them selves so they can truly have a chance to discover the middle path. He does not throw orders at them, nor answer their questions directly, removing any self-thought from the process of learning and discovery. In this manner he is able to lead them to the beginning of the path of the middle way, while helping them develop their own truth and reality to hopefully find enlightenment.