Anguttara Nikaya Sutra
One time the Buddha was walking on tour with a large group of monks, when he came to a town of the Kamlamas’ called Keśaputra.
The Kalamas’ of Kesaputra thought: “It is very good indeed to see Awakened Ones such as these.” And so they went up to where the Buddha was. Having seated themselves to one side, the Kalamas of Keśaputra said this to the Buddha:
“There are, sir, many different teachers that come to Keśaputra. They illuminate their own doctrines, but the doctrines of others they put down, revile, disparage and cripple. For us, sir, uncertainty arises, and doubts arise concerning them: Who indeed of these venerable teachers speaks truly, who speaks falsely?”
“It is indeed fitting, Kalamas, to be uncertain, it is fitting to doubt. For in situations of uncertainty, doubts surely arise. You should decide, Kalamas, not by what you have heard, not by following convention, not by assuming it is so, not by relying on the texts, not by reasoning, not because of logic, not by thinking about explanations, not by acquiescing to the views that you prefer, not because it appears likely, and certainly not out of respect for a teacher.
“When you would know, Kalamas, for yourselves, that ‘These things are unhealthy, these things when entered upon and undertaken, incline toward harm and suffering’ – then, Kalamas, you should reject them.
“What do you think, Kalamas? When greed, hatred or delusion arises within a person, does it arise for their welfare of their harm?”
“For their harm, sir.”
“And when a person has become greedy, hateful or deluded, their mind consumed by this greed, hatred or delusion, Kalamas, do they kill living creatures, take what has not been given and go to another’s spouse and speak what is false, and induce others to undertake what is, for a long time, to their harm and suffering?”
“This is true, sir.”
“And what do you think, Kalamas? Are these things healthy or unhealthy?”
“Unhealthy, sir.”
“And when entered upon and undertaken, do they incline toward harm and suffering or do they not?”
“We agree that they do, sir.”
“But when you would know, Kalamas, for yourselves, that ‘These things are healthy, these things, when entered upon and undertaken, incline toward welfare and happiness’ – then, Kalamas, having come to them you should stay with them.
“What do you think Kalamas? When non-greed, non-hatred or non-delusion arise within a person, does it arise for their welfare or their harm?”
“For their welfare, sir.”
“And when a person has not become greedy, hateful or deluded, their mind is not consumed by this greed, hatred or delusion, Kalamas, do they refrain from killing living creatures, refrain from taking what has not been given and do not go to another’s spouse and do not speak what is false, and induce others to undertake what is, for a long time, to their welfare and happiness?”
“It is true, sir.”
“And what do you think, Kalamas? Are these things healthy or unhealthy?”
“They are healthy, sir.”
“And when entered upon and undertaken, do they incline toward welfare and happiness or do they not?”
“We agree that they do, sir.”
“That person, Kalamas, who is a follower of the noble path, is thus free of wanting, free of harming, and without confusion. Clearly conscious and mindful, she or he abides having suffused the first direction, then the second, then the third and the fourth – and so above, below and across, everywhere and in every way – with a mind dedicated to loving kindness, compassion, good will and equanimity that is abundant, expansive, immeasurable, kindly and free of harming.
“And so, Kalamas, the follower of the noble path whose mind is thus kindly and free of harming – their mind is not defiled, but is purified.”
****
Friends, I know nothing which is as stubborn as an untamed heart. The untamed heart is indeed obstinate.
Friends, I know nothing which is as manageable as a tamed heart. The tamed heart is indeed docile.
Friends, I know nothing which tends toward loss as does an untamed heart. Indeed, the untamed heart leans toward loss.
Friends, I know nothing which tends toward growth as does the tamed heart. Indeed, the tamed heart leans toward growth.
Friends, I know nothing which brings suffering as does an untamed heart, uncontrolled, unattended and unrestrained heart. Such a heart brings suffering.
Friends, I know nothing which brings joy as does a tamed, controlled, attended and restrained heart. Such a heart brings supreme joy.
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