Why in Taoism do masters seek out disciples for apprenticeship?

The methods of practicing the Great Tao are highly valued for inheritance in all sects. They need to ensure that what is passed down from their sect remains intact. Therefore, they adopt a rather special way of imparting the teachings, which is through oral transmission and mental instruction.

As the saying goes, "The Dharma is not passed on to six ears, and the Tao is not passed on to the unfit." This means that the Dharma and the Tao cannot be passed on to those with an unsuitable foundation or karmic connection. For example, beneficial Dharma is not passed on to those with dull roots or can only be passed on to specific corresponding individuals. "Six ears" refer to the ears of a third person. Since each person has two ears, "the Dharma is not passed on to six ears" means that the profound and secret Dharma can only be passed on by the master to the disciple alone, and the disciple should strictly keep the secret and not tell it to others at will.

The practice of the ancients often emphasized the word "predestined affinity". There is often a deep karmic entanglement between the master and the disciple. In the history of Taoism, many patriarchs did not accept disciples and impart teachings in Taoist temples but chose to do so on the streets or in the wilderness. This indicates that the masters wanted to actively seek out disciples with high comprehension and the roots of the Tao. The establishment of this apprenticeship system is not merely a display of the master's self but is more about inheriting the Tao and cultivating insightful disciples to ensure the long-term inheritance of Taoism.

Their choice of seeking disciples on the streets is not by chance but rather an examination of character and comprehension. The streets are where all kinds of people gather. By imparting the teachings here, they can observe the behaviors of all beings and screen out individuals with comprehension and good character. This way enables the patriarchs to have a more comprehensive understanding of the qualities of potential disciples and ensure that they are competent for the path of practice.