stumper wrote:

Evelyn Ruut wrote:

stumper wrote:

Evelyn Ruut wrote:

"gung" wrote:

Evelyn Ruut wrote:

"gung" wrote:

Can anyone inform me as to the name of Buddha's sermon in which
he states: "Do not believe....."

And goes on saying how one should not believe tradition,
teachers, etc. Thanks

That was the Kalama Sutta.

Here is a good translation of it:

**********************

Simple Truth, your spiritual pointers.

* Do not simply believe what you hear just because you have
heard it for a long time.

* Do not follow traditions blindly merely because it has been
practised in that way for many generations.

* Do not be quick to listen to rumours.

* Do not confirm anything just because it agrees with your
scriptures.

* Do not foolishly make assumptions.

* Do not abruptly draw conclusions by what you see and hear.

* Do not be fooled by outward appearances.

* Do not hold tightly to any view or idea just because you are
comfortable with it.

* Do not be convinced of anything out of respect and deference
to your spiritual teacher.

You should go beyond opinion and belief. You can rightly reject
anything which when accepted, practised and perfected leads to
more anger, more greed and more delusion.

The knowledge that you are angry, greedy or deluded does not
depend on either belief or opinion. Remember that anger, greed
and delusion are things universally condemned. They are not
beneficial and are to be avoided.

Conversely you can rightly accept anything which when accepted
and practised leads to unconditional love, contentment and
wisdom. These things allow you time and space to develop a happy
and peaceful mind.

Therefore the wise praise unconditional love, contentment and
wisdom.

This should be your criteria on what is and is not the truth; on
what should be and what should not be the spiritual practice.

(Buddha, Kalama Sutta)

Thanks much! this is very helpful to me. Gung

You are welcome. There is a longer version to be found at
http://www.accesstoinsight.org but the one I posted is the one I
like the best. Clear and concise.

Evelyn

Thank you.

We can definitely use it
at alt.religion.gnostic.

--
~Stumper

Copy and paste it there, Stumper.... I am not dealing with those
guys, they are too angry to talk sensibly. Odd, because Kater
Moggin has appeared here from time to time and was never so obtuse or
difficult before.

Evelyn

Things change.
People change.

They are getting better already.
They are not saying that
life is suffering anymore.

Let's meet them fresh
over and over again.

--
~Stumper

I am always willing to start over.

Ev