Question asked by Allan Leong
Dear Psstors,
Good afternoon. Just wonder whether the Sutta below, reportedly of Siddhartha Gautama, is still valid holding true today as it was during his time:-
Kalamas Sutta
“Regard all sentient beings as equal to your dear mother.” – Buddhist maxim, a Tibetan saying.
An often-quoted Buddhist scripture, the Kalama Sutta, sometimes called the Buddha’s Charter of Free Inquiry, tells the story of a group of villagers who belong to the Kalama tribe. The Kalamas are vexed by a constant procession of monks, priests, and yogis who traipse through their town, each espousing a universal doctrine while disparaging all the others.
“Venerable sir, there is doubt, there is uncertainty in us concerning them,” the Kalamas tell the Buddha. “Which of these reverend monks and Brahmins spoke the truth and which falsehood?”
To which the Buddha responds:
"It is proper for you, Kalamas, to doubt, to be uncertain; uncertainty has arisen in you about what is doubtful. Come, Kalamas. Do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing; nor upon tradition; nor upon rumor; nor upon what is in a scripture; nor upon surmise; nor upon an axiom; nor upon specious reasoning; nor upon a bias towards a notion that has been pondered over; nor upon another's seeming ability; nor upon the consideration, 'The monk is our teacher.' Kalamas, when you yourselves know: 'These things are bad; these things are blamable; these things are censured by the wise; undertaken and observed, these things lead to harm and ill,' abandon them.”
Learning occurs only once students have verified the truth FOR themselves – WITHIN themselves and BY themselves.
A guided advice on its exact status is much appreciated.
Thank you and have a great day.
Thus, in our monastery, the monks will be taught a particular topic and in the evening they will debate with each other on the topic to further deepen understanding and clear doubt. The techniques of debate is taught as well and a debate master will monitor the debate sessions. Much effort is put in by the students themselves to study and memorize scriptures,
Not sure what your question relates to, but one becomes enlightened only when we put in the effort and walk the path ourselves.