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Buddha TeachingsThe Kalamas' Dilemma Judy Adler-Morris One time Buddha was walking on tour with a large group of monks, when he came to a town of the Kalamas called Kesaputta. The Kalamas of Kesaputta thought: “It is very good indeed to see Awakened Ones such as these.” And so they went up to where Buddha was. Having seated themselves to one side, the Kalamas of Kesaputta said this to Buddha: “There are, sir, many different teachers that come to Kesaputta. They illustrate and illuminate their own doctrines, but the doctrines of others they put down, revile, disparage, and cripple. For us, sir, uncertainty arises, and doubts arise concerning them: Who indeed of these venerable teachers speaks truly, who speaks falsely?” “It is indeed fitting, Kalamas, to be uncertain, it is fitting to doubt. For in situations of uncertainty, doubts surely arise. You should decide, Kalamas, not by what you have heard, not by following convention, not by assuming it is so, not by relying on the texts, not because of reasoning, not because of logic, not by thinking about explanations, not by acquiescing to the views that you prefer, not because it appears likely, and certainly not out of respect for a teacher. “When you would know, Kalamas, for yourselves, that ‘These things are unhealthy, these things, when entered upon and undertaken, incline toward harm and suffering’ – then, Kalamas, you should reject them. “What do you think, Kalamas? When greed, hatred, or delusion arise within a person, does it arise for their welfare or their harm?” “For their harm, sir.” “And when a person has become greedy, hateful, or deluded, their mind consumed by this greed, hatred, or delusion, Kalamas, do they kill living creatures, and take what has not been given, and go to another’s spouse, and speak what is false, and induce others to undertake what is, for a long time, to their harm and suffering?” “This is true, sir.” “And what do you think, Kalamas? Are these things healthy or unhealthy?” “Unhealthy, sir.” “And when entered upon and undertaken, do they incline toward harm and suffering or don’t they?” “We agree, sir, that they do.” “But when you would know, Kalamas, for yourselves, that ‘These things are healthy, these things, when entered upon and undertaken, incline toward welfare and happiness’ – then, Kalamas, having come to them you should stay with them. “What do you think, Kalamas? When nongreed, nonhatred, or nondelusion arise within a person, does it arise for their welfare or their harm?” “For their welfare, sir.” “And when a person has not become greedy, hateful, or deluded, their mind not consumed by this greed, hatred, or delusion, Kalamas, do they not kill living creatures, and not take what has not been given, and not go to another’s spouse, and not speak what is false, and induce others to undertake what is, for a long time, to their welfare and happiness?” “This is true, sir.” “And what do you think, Kalamas? Are these things healthy or unhealthy?” “Healthy, sir.” “And when entered upon and undertaken, do they incline toward welfare and happiness or don’t they?” “We agree, sir, that they do.” “That person, Kalamas, who is a follower of the noble path is thus free of wanting, free of harming, and without confusion. Clearly conscious and mindful, he or she abides having suffused the first direction, then the second, then the third and fourth—and so above, below and across, everywhere and in every way—with a mind dedicated to loving kindness, compassion, good will, and equanimity that is abundant, expansive, immeasurable, kindly, and free of harming. “And so, Kalamas, the follower of the noble path whose mind is thus kindly and free of harming—their mind is not defiled, but is purified.” About the Author Judy Adler is the first American designated Feng Shui Master by Master Joseph Yu, founder of the Feng Shui Research Center in Ontario. She has been practicing and teaching Feng Shui professionally since 1993. Although she resides in the Austin, Texas area, she provides services for clients internationally. She can be reached at Judy@FSRC.net |