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randr

(12,412 posts)
Sun Mar 18, 2012, 08:45 PM Mar 2012

Gatherings

"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it." - Buddha

"There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting." - Buddha

"However many holy words you read, However many you speak, What good will they do you If you do not act upon them?" - Buddha

"Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others." - Buddha

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Gatherings (Original Post) randr Mar 2012 OP
The first one is a common misquote of the Kalama Sutta white_wolf Mar 2012 #1
Thanks for the correction and link randr Mar 2012 #2
I think the main difference is... white_wolf Mar 2012 #3

white_wolf

(6,238 posts)
1. The first one is a common misquote of the Kalama Sutta
Sun Mar 18, 2012, 11:57 PM
Mar 2012

Here's the real quote: " "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."

Here is the link to the whole Sutta, I highly recommend it, its short, but full of wisdom: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/kalama1.htm

randr

(12,412 posts)
2. Thanks for the correction and link
Mon Mar 19, 2012, 08:51 PM
Mar 2012

I do not see much difference in context, only a westernification if I may.

white_wolf

(6,238 posts)
3. I think the main difference is...
Mon Mar 19, 2012, 09:09 PM
Mar 2012

that the one you quoted seems to place all of the emphasis on the individual to determine which Dharma is true. Whereas the Kalama Sutta emphases that the importance of community i. e. "the wise."

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