Question
Are there ways to know whether your master truly follows the Way?
My master’s actions go strongly against the precepts (sexual misconduct, etc.).
Anonymous
Answer from Master Kosen
The most important things to know first when judging a master are who his master was, how long and how intensely he followed him, from whom he received ordination, from whom he received shiho (Dharma transmission), and finally whether he continues practicing vigorously alongside his disciples. If he stays in his room and merely holds interviews with disciples, he is a bad master.
There have been very great masters in China and Japan who enjoyed making love, drinking alcohol, or eating meat. That is secondary if they are true masters and stronger than their passions. If the master is authentic, you should not need to judge him; you must look at yourself. If the master is worthless, even if he follows the precepts perfectly and fully conforms to American puritanism, he will remain worthless.
Kosen