The Kalamas

AN 3.65

This is what I heard.

One time the Buddha was wandering in Kosala with a large community of seekers when he reached Kesamutta, a town of the Kalama people.

These people knew that the ascetic Gotama of the Sakya clan had the reputation of being a Worthy One, and a fully awakened Buddha. They had heard of his deep knowledge, his pure spiritual life and complete teaching. Because of his reputation as a great and unmatched trainer of all beings, they sought to meet him to ask about his Dharma, which was said to be good in the beginning, middle and end.

The Kalamas went to see him. Some greeted him in different ways, some bowed and others kept silent. Then they said,

“Sir, various ascetics and brahmins visit Kesamutta. They promote their own teachings while criticizing others. Later, different teachers come and promote different views, while attacking the ideas of others. Sir, we are very confused. Who speaks the truth?”

The Buddha said,

“It makes sense that you are in doubt Kalamas, for these issues are confusing. Now, here is my advice,

“Do not rely on what has been passed down by oral tradition, nor on what has been passed down by a lineage, by testimony or the authority of scripture. Don’t rely just on logical reasoning. Don’t accept something just because it agrees with your point of view. Don’t accept a view just because you have considered various reasons for it or because you’ve thought about it for some time. Don’t just rely on those who seem to be experts or who are respected as teachers.

“But when you know for yourselves what things are unwholesome, wrong, and criticized by the wise: abandon all of it. When you are aware of what leads to harm and suffering: abandon all of it.

“Kalamas, a person who is filled with greed kills living beings, steals, commits sexual misdeeds, lies and encourages others to do the same. Is this greed beneficial for them or harmful, leading to their suffering?”

“It’s harmful sir.”

“What about a person who does all these bad things because of hostility. Is hostility beneficial for them or harmful, leading to their suffering?”

“Harmful”

“What about a person filled with delusion who does the same. Is delusion beneficial or harmful for them?”

“It’s also harmful sir.”

“Are these qualities wholesome or unwholesome? Are they good or wrong? Are they criticized or praised by the wise? Do they lead to harm and suffering, or not?”

“The way we see it sir, these things are unwholesome, wrong, criticized by the wise because they lead to harm.”

“Kalamas, when I advised you not to rely on various sources of knowledge, such as authority, logic and scripture, this is why I said that. But when you know for yourselves what things are unwholesome, wrong, and criticized by the wise: abandon all of it. When you are aware of what leads to harm and suffering: abandon all of it.

“Kalamas, a person who is content does not kill, lie, steal, commit a wrong sex act and encourage others to do these things. Is contentment beneficial for them, does it lead to happiness?”

“Yes sir.”

“What about a person who is not deluded nor hostile who also avoids these bad actions. Are these qualities beneficial for them?”

“Yes sir”

“Are these qualities wholesome or unwholesome? Are they good or wrong? Are they criticized or praised by the wise? Do they lead to harm and suffering, or not?”

“Sir, these things are wholesome, good, and praised by the wise because they lead to happiness.”

“Kalamas, when I advised you not to rely on various sources of knowledge, this is why I said that. But when you know for yourselves what things are unwholesome, wrong, and criticized by the wise: abandon all of it. When you are aware of what leads to harm and suffering: abandon all of it.

“Now, let’s say a noble follower is rid of greed, ill will, and confusion. Let’s say they are aware and mindful. Then they meditate by spreading love from their heart to all directions, above and below, radiating everywhere in the world, and filling the universe. This meditation is vast, expansive, limitless, free of hostility and ill will.

“Likewise, they meditate by spreading and radiating care in all directions, filling the whole world. They meditate by spreading and radiating gladness in all directions and they meditate by spreading and radiating serenity.

“Kalamas, a follower of the noble ones who has attained a purified mind free of hate and corruption has four consolations here and now,

1. If there is life after death and good and bad actions have a result, then after the break up of the body one can expect to be reborn in a good place.

2. If there is no life after death and good and bad actions have no result, one will still be free of hatred and ill will in this life, living happily and without worry.

3. If bad things happen to those who do evil, one who has no bad intentions and avoids evil cannot be harmed because of this.

4. If bad things don’t happen to those who do evil, then one is still pure in any case.”

“That’s so true Blessed one, a noble follower will win these four consolations! Excellent sir, we go for refuge to Master Gotama, to the Dharma and to the community. From now on, remember us as lay followers for life.”