About This Answer
A disciple asks why, if mixing all food together in the bowl matters, the teacher does not do it himself. Ajahn Chah agrees a teacher should set an example, but says it is more important not to cling to the teacher. If he were outwardly perfect, everyone would become too attached to him; even the Buddha sometimes told disciples to do one thing while doing another himself. Perhaps he keeps food aside to feed the laymen working at the monastery. If he calls blue red, don't follow blindly.
He recalls a teacher who ate fast and noisily while telling students to eat slowly and mindfully. Watching him, Ajahn Chah suffered and the teacher did not. Some drive fast but carefully, others slowly and crash. Watch others at most 10% and yourself 90%. Ajahn Tongrat seemed so strange and fierce that people thought him mad, yet inside there was nothing, and he stayed mindful until death. Seeking the perfect teacher brings no peace; the Buddha taught to look at the Dhamma, not at people.