| Kalama Sutra - Angutarra Nikaya 3.65 |
Teaching given by the Buddha given to the Kalama people:
Do not go by revelation;
Do not go by tradition;
Do not go by hearsay;
Do not go on the authority of sacred texts;
Do not go on the grounds of pure logic;
Do not go by a view that seems rational;
Do not go by reflecting on mere appearances;
Do not go along with a considered view because you agree with it;
Do not go along on the grounds that the person is competent;
Do not go along because [thinking] 'the recluse is our teacher'.
Kalamas, when you yourselves know: 'These things are unwholesome, these things are blameworthy; these things are censured by the wise; and when undertaken and observed, these things lead to harm and ill, abandon them...
Kalamas, when you know for yourselves: These are wholesome; these things are not blameworthy; these things are praised by the wise; undertaken and observed, these things lead to benefit and happiness, having undertaken them, abide in them.
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Once the Buddha was visiting a town named Kesaputta, where the Kalama clan lived. The Kalamas were confused with the teachings of the many religious teachers who spoke well of themselves and ill of others. They approached the Buddha and consulted him.
“There are some holy men and priests, Sir, who come to Kesaputta and claimed that only their religion is right and others are wrong. As a result, doubt has come to us. Which of these holy men and priests spoke the truth?”
Now, the Buddha knowing the confusion in the mind of the Kalamas did not give them another dogmas nor dismiss the doctrine of others as false. Instead he gave them a unique advice, which until today became the Buddhist spirit of thought and investigation – the Buddhist Charter of Free Inquiry (Kalama Sutta).
“It is proper to doubt in things that are doubtful. O Kalamas, do not accept anything;
through repeated hearing,
through mere tradition,
through rumours,
through mere correspondence with the scriptures,
through mere thinking deeply,
through logical reasoning,
through mere apparent reason,
based on mere agreement with your own opinion,
based on a person who seemingly possess abilities,
or thinking, “this person is our teacher.”
AN III:65 (Anguttara Nikaya book of the 3 verse 65)
" Kalamas, when you yourselves know what are immoral, blameworthy and censured by the wise, when performed and undertaken, conduce to unprofitable things, conduce to suffering (to oneself as well as others), abandons them."
Here the Buddha asked the Kalamas again, "What do they think the presence of greed, hatred and delusion occurring within a man, will it conduce to benefit or to unprofitable things?"
A man, who is overwhelmed with greed, hatred or delusion sometimes resorts to killing, stealing, committing adultery, lying and inducing others to do the same like him.
Whatever conduces to unprofitable things conduces to the suffering of oneself and others.
" Kalamas, when you yourselves know what are moral, not blameworthy and praised by the wise, when performed and undertaken, conduce to profitable things, conduce to well being and happiness (of oneself as well as others), then do you live and act accordingly."
The Buddha explained that the absence of greed; hatred and delusion in a man's mind would refrain him from committing unwholesome deeds, and that may conduce to the benefit and happiness of oneself and others.
Thus, he is of self-controlled and discerning in mindfulness with his heart composed and filled with:-
Loving-kindness(Wishing happiness for all beings)
Compassion
(Wishing deliverance from suffering for all beings)
Good Cheer
(Sympathetic joy towards all beings of their gains)
Equanimity(Impartiality towards all beings)
(For further reading, please go to:
http://ymoon-mun.blogspot.com/2006/09/e-dhamma-course-1.html ) |
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