Juliet Bennett's Blog

Buddha’s charter of free inquiry

23 Apr ’10 1 Comment Written by Juliet Bennett

The Kalama Sutta, the  “Charter of Free Inquiry” from Buddhism:

Do not accept anything on mere hearsay (ie oral history/ just because many people believe it)

Do not accept anything by mere tradition (ie just because it has been handed down generation to generation)

Do not accept anything on account of rumours (ie new stories / what others say)

Do not accept anything just because it accords with your scriptures (ie holy books or official texts)

Do not accept anything by mere inference (ie suppositional reasoning / axiom)

Do not accept anything by merely considering the appearances (ie philosophical reasoning)

Do not accept anything merely because it agrees with your preconceived notions (ie common sense)

Do not accept anything merely because it seems acceptable (ie your own opinion)

Do not accept anything linking that the ascetic is respected; by us (ie authorities and teachers)

But only after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept and abide by it.

Truth
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1 Comment

  1. tomasz
    25 Apr ’10    

    Hi Juliet,

    Buddha is right!

    Do not accept tough writing.

    Only freely …

    wamrly

    tomasz

    Reply

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