Post by Alena on Dec 26, 2006 19:59:58 GMT -5
The Buddha once visited a small town called Kesaputta in the kingdom of Kosala. The inhabitants of this town were known by the common name Kalama. When they heard that the Buddha was in their town, the Kalamas paid him a visit, and told him:
"Sir, there are some recluses and brahmanas who visit Kesaputta. They explain and illumine only their own doctrines, and despise, condemn, and spurn others' doctrines. Then come other recluses and brahmanas, and they, too, in their turn, explain and spurn others' doctrines. But, for us, Sir, we have always doubt and perplexity as to who among these venerable recluses and brahmanas spoke the truth and who spoke falsehood."
Then the Buddha gave them his advice, unique in the history of religions:
"Yes, Kalamas, it is proper that you have doubt, that you have perplexity, for a doubt has arisen in a matter which is doubtful. Now, look you Kalamas, do not be led by reports, or tradition, or hearsay. Be not led by the authority of religious texts, nor by mere logic or inference, nor by considering seeming possibilities, nor by the idea; 'this is our teacher.' But, O Kalamas, When you know for yourselves that certain things are unwholesome and wrong, and bad, then give them up. And when you know for yourselves that certain things are wholesome and good, then accept them and follow them."
The Buddha went even further. He told the bhikkhus that a disciple should examine even the Buddha himself so that he (the disciple) might be fully convinced of the true value of the teacher whom he followed.
Don't accept anything at face value. You should sense (or if you don't, try to research and find) its true meaning or motivation behind it. Even if whoever is telling you something seems credible, not everything they say will always be absolutely true. Blind faith can be dangerous. It narrows one's perceptions and limits growth.
"Sir, there are some recluses and brahmanas who visit Kesaputta. They explain and illumine only their own doctrines, and despise, condemn, and spurn others' doctrines. Then come other recluses and brahmanas, and they, too, in their turn, explain and spurn others' doctrines. But, for us, Sir, we have always doubt and perplexity as to who among these venerable recluses and brahmanas spoke the truth and who spoke falsehood."
Then the Buddha gave them his advice, unique in the history of religions:
"Yes, Kalamas, it is proper that you have doubt, that you have perplexity, for a doubt has arisen in a matter which is doubtful. Now, look you Kalamas, do not be led by reports, or tradition, or hearsay. Be not led by the authority of religious texts, nor by mere logic or inference, nor by considering seeming possibilities, nor by the idea; 'this is our teacher.' But, O Kalamas, When you know for yourselves that certain things are unwholesome and wrong, and bad, then give them up. And when you know for yourselves that certain things are wholesome and good, then accept them and follow them."
The Buddha went even further. He told the bhikkhus that a disciple should examine even the Buddha himself so that he (the disciple) might be fully convinced of the true value of the teacher whom he followed.
Don't accept anything at face value. You should sense (or if you don't, try to research and find) its true meaning or motivation behind it. Even if whoever is telling you something seems credible, not everything they say will always be absolutely true. Blind faith can be dangerous. It narrows one's perceptions and limits growth.