“Do not believe in gods, books, gods or hearsay, until you know for yourself it is true”–Siddharta Gautama

R&I – FS

Kalama Sutta

…being–or so it is said–a talk Siddhartha Gautama delivered to the people of Kalama, in the Kingdom of Kosala

The people of Kalama asked the Buddha who to believe out of all the ascetics, sages, venerables, and holy ones who, like himself, passed through their town

They complained that they were confused by the many contradictions they  discovered in what they heard.

The Kalama Sutta is the answer Siddhartha offered them:

– Do not believe anything on mere hearsay.

– Do not believe in traditions merely because they are old and have been handed down for many generations and in many places.

– Do not believe anything on account of rumors or because people talk a great deal about it.

– Do not believe anything because you are shown the written testimony of some ancient sage.

– Do not believe in what you have fancied, thinking that, because it is extraordinary, it must have been inspired by a god or other wonderful being.

– Do not believe anything merely because presumption is in its favor, or because the custom of many years inclines you to take it as true.

– Do not believe anything merely on the authority of your teachers and priests.

– But after thorough investigation and reflection, whatever you find to agree with reason and experience, as conducive to the good and benefit of one and all and of the world at large…accept only that as true, and shape your life in accordance with it.

The same caution, said the Buddha, must be applied to his own teachings.

— Chinul (circa 1209 C.E.)

Questions:

  1. Do Christians here consider Kalama Sutta to be sound advice? If not, why?
  2. Do Atheists here consider Kalama Sutta to be sound advice> If yes, why?

Verisimilitude