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What is the one thing that
sets Buddhism apart from
all other religions?
The freedom of enquiry
What is the one thing that
sets Buddhism apart from
all other religions?
The freedom of enquiry
What is the one thing that
sets Buddhism apart from
all other religions?
• Blind faith is not only not required, it
is discouraged.
• Instead, questioning and investigating
is encouraged, so that we can make
our own informed decisions about the
path we want to take for ourselves.
What is the one thing that
sets Buddhism apart from
all other religions?
• Blind faith is not only not required, it
is discouraged.
• Instead, questioning and investigating
is encouraged, so that we can make
our own informed decisions about the
path we want to take for ourselves.
What is the one thing that
sets Buddhism apart from
all other religions?
• Blind faith is not only not required, it
is discouraged.
• Instead, questioning and investigating
is encouraged, so that we can make
our own informed decisions about the
path we want to take for ourselves.
What is the one thing that
sets Buddhism apart from
all other religions?
• Blind faith is not only not required, it
is discouraged.
• Instead, questioning and investigating
is encouraged, so that we can make
our own informed decisions about the
path we want to take for ourselves.
Kalama Sutta
The Buddha visited the village of
Kesaputta and was greeted by the
people who lived there : the Kalamas.
They told Him that many holy men and
ascetics pass through their village,
expounding their own teachings and
disparaging the teachings of others.
The Kalamas asked the Buddha whose
teachings they should follow.
Kalama Sutta
The Buddha visited the village of
Kesaputta and was greeted by the
people who lived there : the Kalamas.
They told Him that many holy men and
ascetics pass through their village,
expounding their own teachings and
disparaging the teachings of others.
The Kalamas asked the Buddha whose
teachings they should follow.
Kalama Sutta
The Buddha visited the village of
Kesaputta and was greeted by the
people who lived there : the Kalamas.
They told Him that many holy men and
ascetics pass through their village,
expounding their own teachings and
disparaging the teachings of others.
The Kalamas asked the Buddha whose
teachings they should follow.
Kalama Sutta
The Buddha visited the village of
Kesaputta and was greeted by the
people who lived there : the Kalamas.
They told Him that many holy men and
ascetics pass through their village,
expounding their own teachings and
disparaging the teachings of others.
The Kalamas asked the Buddha whose
teachings they should follow.
Kalama Sutta
Kesaputta is now called ‘Kesaria’, a
small city in the state of Bihar, India.
A massive stupa was discovered in 1998
which is now thought to be the largest
and tallest Buddhist stupa in the world.
Originally 150 ft. tall, it now stands at
about 104 ft. which is still 1 foot taller
than the famous Borobodur Stupa in
Indonesia.
Kalama Sutta
Kesaputta is now called ‘Kesaria’, a
small city in the state of Bihar, India.
A massive stupa was discovered in 1998
which is now thought to be the largest
and tallest Buddhist stupa in the world.
Originally 150 ft. tall, it now stands at
about 104 ft. which is still 1 foot taller
than the famous Borobodur Stupa in
Indonesia.
Kalama Sutta
Kesaputta is now called ‘Kesaria’, a
small city in the state of Bihar, India.
A massive stupa was discovered in 1998
which is now thought to be the largest
and tallest Buddhist stupa in the world.
Originally 150 ft. tall, it now stands at
about 104 ft. which is still 1 foot taller
than the famous Borobodur Stupa in
Indonesia.
Kalama Sutta
Kesaputta is now called ‘Kesaria’, a
small city in the state of Bihar, India.
A massive stupa was discovered in 1998
which is now thought to be the largest
and tallest Buddhist stupa in the world.
Originally 150 ft. tall, it now stands at
about 104 ft. which is still 1 foot taller
than the famous Borobodur Stupa in
Indonesia.
Kalama Sutta
The Buddha told them that it is right to
doubt and to ask questions.
He did not say “do not believe the others,
believe me”.
Instead, the Buddha taught them the
proper way to discover the truth.
Thus, the Kalama Sutta is also known as
the Buddhist “Charter of Free Enquiry”.
Kalama Sutta
The Buddha told them that it is right to
doubt and to ask questions.
He did not say “do not believe the others,
believe me”.
Instead, the Buddha taught them the
proper way to discover the truth.
Thus, the Kalama Sutta is also known as
the Buddhist “Charter of Free Enquiry”.
Kalama Sutta
The Buddha told them that it is right to
doubt and to ask questions.
He did not say “do not believe the others,
believe me”.
Instead, the Buddha taught them the
proper way to discover the truth.
Thus, the Kalama Sutta is also known as
the Buddhist “Charter of Free Enquiry”.
Kalama Sutta
The Buddha told them that it is right to
doubt and to ask questions.
He did not say “do not believe the others,
believe me”.
Instead, the Buddha taught them the
proper way to discover the truth.
Thus, the Kalama Sutta is also known as
the Buddhist “Charter of Free Enquiry”.
Kalama Sutta
Do not rely on the following without further verification :
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Oral history or divine revelations
Tradition
Reports or rumours
Scriptures or holy books
Logical reasoning
Philosophical reasoning
Outward appearances
One's own opinions
Authorities or experts
One's own teacher
Kalama Sutta
Do not rely on the following without further verification :
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Oral history or divine revelations
Tradition
Reports or rumours
Scriptures or holy books
Logical reasoning
Philosophical reasoning
Outward appearances
One's own opinions
Authorities or experts
One's own teacher
Kalama Sutta
Do not rely on the following without further verification :
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Oral history or divine revelations
Tradition
Reports or rumours
Scriptures or holy books
Logical reasoning
Philosophical reasoning
Outward appearances
One's own opinions
Authorities or experts
One's own teacher
Kalama Sutta
Do not rely on the following without further verification :
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Oral history or divine revelations
Tradition
Reports or rumours
Scriptures or holy books
Logical reasoning
Philosophical reasoning
Outward appearances
One's own opinions
Authorities or experts
One's own teacher
Kalama Sutta
Do not rely on the following without further verification :
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Oral history or divine revelations
Tradition
Reports or rumours
Scriptures or holy books
Logical reasoning
Philosophical reasoning
Outward appearances
One's own opinions
Authorities or experts
One's own teacher
Kalama Sutta
Do not rely on the following without further verification :
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Oral history or divine revelations
Tradition
Reports or rumours
Scriptures or holy books
Logical reasoning
Philosophical reasoning
Outward appearances
One's own opinions
Authorities or experts
One's own teacher
Kalama Sutta
Do not rely on the following without further verification :
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Oral history or divine revelations
Tradition
Reports or rumours
Scriptures or holy books
Logical reasoning
Philosophical reasoning
Outward appearances
One's own opinions
Authorities or experts
One's own teacher
Kalama Sutta
Do not rely on the following without further verification :
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Oral history or divine revelations
Tradition
Reports or rumours
Scriptures or holy books
Logical reasoning
Philosophical reasoning
Outward appearances
One's own opinions
Authorities or experts
One's own teacher
Kalama Sutta
Do not rely on the following without further verification :
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Oral history or divine revelations
Tradition
Reports or rumours
Scriptures or holy books
Logical reasoning
Philosophical reasoning
Outward appearances
One's own opinions
Authorities or experts
One's own teacher
Kalama Sutta
Do not rely on the following without further verification :
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Oral history or divine revelations
Tradition
Reports or rumours
Scriptures or holy books
Logical reasoning
Philosophical reasoning
Outward appearances
One's own opinions
Authorities or experts
One's own teacher
Kalama Sutta
Do not rely on the following without further verification :
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Oral history or divine revelations
Tradition
Reports or rumours
Scriptures or holy books
Logical reasoning
Philosophical reasoning
Outward appearances
One's own opinions
Authorities or experts
One's own teacher
Kalama Sutta
Faith
•
Blind faith
- Dogmatic, unquestioning
•
Wisdom faith
- Receptive, enquiring
Kalama Sutta
Faith
•
Blind faith
- Dogmatic, unquestioning
•
Wisdom faith
- Receptive, enquiring
Kalama Sutta
Faith
•
Blind faith
- Dogmatic, unquestioning
•
Wisdom faith
- Receptive, enquiring
Kalama Sutta
Faith
•
Blind faith
- Dogmatic, unquestioning
•
Wisdom faith
- Receptive, enquiring
Kalama Sutta
Faith
•
Blind faith
- Dogmatic, unquestioning
•
Wisdom faith
- Receptive, enquiring
Kalama Sutta
The criteria for acceptance or rejection
• Observe, analyze and test it out for yourself.
• Does it agree with reason?
• Will it lead to harm or good for yourself
and others?
• Will it lead to suffering or happiness for
yourself and others?
• Will a wise person praise or disapprove
of it?
Kalama Sutta
The criteria for acceptance or rejection
• Observe, analyze and test it out for yourself.
• Does it agree with reason?
• Will it lead to harm or good for yourself
and others?
• Will it lead to suffering or happiness for
yourself and others?
• Will a wise person praise or disapprove
of it?
Kalama Sutta
The criteria for acceptance or rejection
• Observe, analyze and test it out for yourself.
• Does it agree with reason?
• Will it lead to harm or good for yourself
and others?
• Will it lead to suffering or happiness for
yourself and others?
• Will a wise person praise or disapprove
of it?
Kalama Sutta
The criteria for acceptance or rejection
• Observe, analyze and test it out for yourself.
• Does it agree with reason?
• Will it lead to harm or good for yourself
and others?
• Will it lead to suffering or happiness for
yourself and others?
• Will a wise person praise or disapprove
of it?
Kalama Sutta
The criteria for acceptance or rejection
• Observe, analyze and test it out for yourself.
• Does it agree with reason?
• Will it lead to harm or good for yourself
and others?
• Will it lead to suffering or happiness for
yourself and others?
• Will a wise person praise or disapprove
of it?
Kalama Sutta
The criteria for acceptance or rejection
• Observe, analyze and test it out for yourself.
• Does it agree with reason?
• Will it lead to harm or good for yourself
and others?
• Will it lead to suffering or happiness for
yourself and others?
• Will a wise person praise or disapprove
of it?
Kalama Sutta
The criteria for acceptance or rejection
If yes, then accept it and live up to it.
Kalama Sutta
The three things to avoid :
• Greed
• Hatred
• Delusion
These are the causes of harm to
others and ourselves, and keep us
from peace and happiness.
Kalama Sutta
The three things to avoid :
• Greed
• Hatred
• Delusion
These are the causes of harm to
others and ourselves, and keep us
from peace and happiness.
Kalama Sutta
The three things to avoid :
• Greed
• Hatred
• Delusion
These are the causes of harm to
others and ourselves, and keep us
from peace and happiness.
Kalama Sutta
The three things to avoid :
• Greed
• Hatred
• Delusion
These are the causes of harm to
others and ourselves, and keep us
from peace and happiness.
Kalama Sutta
The three things to avoid :
• Greed
• Hatred
• Delusion
These are the causes of harm to
others and ourselves, and keep us
from peace and happiness.
Kalama Sutta
The Four Divine Abidings *
• Loving-Kindness / Metta
• Compassion / Karuna
• Sympathetic joy / Mudita
• Equanimity / Upekkha
* Or the Four Brahma Viharas
Kalama Sutta
The Four Divine Abidings *
• Loving-Kindness / Metta
• Compassion / Karuna
• Sympathetic joy / Mudita
• Equanimity / Upekkha
* Or the Four Brahma Viharas
Kalama Sutta
The Four Divine Abidings *
• Loving-Kindness / Metta
• Compassion / Karuna
• Sympathetic joy / Mudita
• Equanimity / Upekkha
* Or the Four Brahma Viharas
Kalama Sutta
The Four Divine Abidings *
• Loving-Kindness / Metta
• Compassion / Karuna
• Sympathetic joy / Mudita
• Equanimity / Upekkha
* Or the Four Brahma Viharas
Kalama Sutta
The Four Divine Abidings *
• Loving-Kindness / Metta
• Compassion / Karuna
• Sympathetic joy / Mudita
• Equanimity / Upekkha
* Or the Four Brahma Viharas
Kalama Sutta
The Four Divine Abidings *
• Loving-Kindness / Metta
• Compassion / Karuna
• Sympathetic joy / Mudita
• Equanimity / Upekkha
* Or the Four Brahma Viharas
Kalama Sutta
Loving-Kindness / Metta
The desire for all sentient beings,
unconditionally and without exception,
to be well and happy.
Kalama Sutta
Compassion / Karuna
The desire for all sentient beings,
unconditionally and without exception,
to be free from suffering.
Kalama Sutta
Sympathetic joy / Mudita
To be happy and rejoice at the virtue,
happiness and success of others.
Kalama Sutta
Equanimity / Upekkha
To accept and be unaffected by the
8 Worldly Conditions :
Gain and loss
Honour and disgrace
Praise and blame
Pleasure and pain
Kalama Sutta
Equanimity / Upekkha
To accept and be unaffected by the
8 Worldly Conditions :
Gain and loss
Honour and disgrace
Praise and blame
Pleasure and pain
Kalama Sutta
Equanimity / Upekkha
To accept and be unaffected by the
8 Worldly Conditions :
Gain and loss
Honour and disgrace
Praise and blame
Pleasure and pain
Kalama Sutta
Equanimity / Upekkha
To accept and be unaffected by the
8 Worldly Conditions :
Gain and loss
Honour and disgrace
Praise and blame
Pleasure and pain
Kalama Sutta
Equanimity / Upekkha
To accept and be unaffected by the
8 Worldly Conditions :
Gain and loss
Honour and disgrace
Praise and blame
Pleasure and pain
Kalama Sutta
The Four Assurances
1. If there is an after-life, there will be a
good rebirth.
2. If there is no after-life, the present life
will be happy and free from troubles.
3. If harm befalls an evil-doer (kamma),
one will be safe from harm.
4. If no harm befalls an evil-doer (no
kamma), one is still pure and happy.
Kalama Sutta
The Four Assurances
1. If there is an after-life, there will be a
good rebirth.
2. If there is no after-life, the present life
will be happy and free from troubles.
3. If harm befalls an evil-doer (kamma),
one will be safe from harm.
4. If no harm befalls an evil-doer (no
kamma), one is still pure and happy.
Kalama Sutta
The Four Assurances
1. If there is an after-life, there will be a
good rebirth.
2. If there is no after-life, the present life
will be happy and free from troubles.
3. If harm befalls an evil-doer (kamma),
one will be safe from harm.
4. If no harm befalls an evil-doer (no
kamma), one is still pure and happy.
Kalama Sutta
The Four Assurances
1. If there is an after-life, there will be a
good rebirth.
2. If there is no after-life, the present life
will be happy and free from troubles.
3. If harm befalls an evil-doer (kamma),
one will be safe from harm.
4. If no harm befalls an evil-doer (no
kamma), one is still pure and happy.
Kalama Sutta
The Four Assurances
1. If there is an after-life, there will be a
good rebirth.
2. If there is no after-life, the present life
will be happy and free from troubles.
3. If harm befalls an evil-doer (kamma),
one will be safe from harm.
4. If no harm befalls an evil-doer (no
kamma), one is still pure and happy.
Kalama Sutta
In summary :
• Avoid intolerance and dogmatism
• Be tolerant and open-minded!
• Avoid blind faith
• Question and investigate!
Kalama Sutta
In summary :
• Avoid intolerance and dogmatism
• Be tolerant and open-minded!
• Avoid blind faith
• Question and investigate!
Kalama Sutta
In summary :
• Avoid intolerance and dogmatism
• Be tolerant and open-minded!
• Avoid blind faith
• Question and investigate!
Kalama Sutta
In summary :
• Avoid intolerance and dogmatism
• Be tolerant and open-minded!
• Avoid blind faith
• Question and investigate!
Kalama Sutta
In summary :
• Avoid intolerance and dogmatism
• Be tolerant and open-minded!
• Avoid blind faith
• Question and investigate!
Prepared by T Y Lee
www.justbegood.net