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Kalama Sutta
The people of Kalama asked the Buddha who to believe out of all the ascetics, sages, venerables, and holy ones who, like himself, passed through their town. They complained that they were confused by the many contradictions they discovered in what they heard. The Kalama Sutta is the Buddha's reply.
-Do not believe anything on mere hearsay.
-Do not believe in traditions merely because they are old and have been handed down for many generations and in many places.
-Do not believe anything on account of rumors or because people talk a a great deal about it.
-Do not believe anything because you are shown the written testimony of some ancient sage.
-Do not believe in what you have fancied, thinking that, because it is extraordinary, it must have been inspired by a god or other wonderful being.
-Do not believe anything merely because presumption is in its favor, or because the custom of many years inclines you to take it as true.
-Do not believe anything merely on the authority of your teachers and priests.
-But, whatever, after thorough investigation and reflection, you find to agree with reason and experience, as conducive to the good and benefit of one and all and of the world at large, accept only that as true, and shape your life in accordance with it.
-Do not accept any doctrine from reverence, but first try it as gold is tried by fire.
-LORD BUDDHA-
"Everything is changeable, everything appears and disappears; there is no blissful peace until one passes beyond the agony of life and death."
"Times of luxury do not last long, but pass away very quickly; nothing in this world can be long enjoyed."
"See the truth, and you will see me."
"Let your love flow outward through the universe,
To its height, its depth, its broad extent,
A limitless love, without hatred or enmity.
Then as you stand or walk,
Sit or lie down,
As long as you are awake,
Strive for this with a one-pointed mind;
Your life will bring heaven to earth."
"I teach one thing and one only:
that is, suffering and the end of suffering."
"Just as a mother would protect with her life her own son, her only son, so one should cultivate an unbounded mind towards all beings, and loving-kindness towards all the world. One should cultivate an unbounded mind, above and below and across, without obstruction, without enmity, without rivalry.
Standing, or going, or seated, or lying down, as long as one is free from drowsiness, one should practice this mindfulness.
This, they say, is the holy state here."
-LORD BUDDHA-
"When the days become longer and there is more sunshine, the grass becomes fresh and, consequently, we feel very happy. On the other hand, in autumn, one leaf falls down and another leaf falls down. The beautiful plants become as if dead and we do not feel very happy. Why? I think it is because deep down our human nature likes construction, and does not like destruction. Naturally, every action which is destructive is against human nature. Constructiveness is the human way. Therefore, I think that in terms of basic human feeling, violence is not good. Non-violence is the only way."
-Dalai Lama-
