Observations placeholder
Kālāma Sutta, the – Buddha – The Four solaces
Identifier
028483
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
The Kālāma Sutta is a discourse of the Buddha contained in the Aṅguttara Nikaya of the Tripiṭaka. The Tripiṭaka is the traditional term for the Buddhist scriptures.
Tripiṭaka (Sanskrit) or Tipiṭaka (Pali) literally translates as 'Three Baskets' (Piṭaka (पिटक) or pita (पिट), meaning "basket or box made from bamboo or wood"). The 'three baskets' were originally the receptacles of the palm-leaf manuscripts in which were preserved the Sutta Piṭaka, the Vinaya Piṭaka and the Abhidhamma Piṭaka, the three divisions that constitute the Pali Canon.
It is often cited by those of the Theravada and Mahayana traditions alike as the Buddha's "charter of free inquiry." The Kālāma Sutta is also used for advocating prudence by the use of sound logical reasoning arguments for inquiries in the practice that relates to the discipline of seeking truth, wisdom and knowledge whether it is religious or not.
“The Kalama Sutta, which sets forth the principles that should be followed by a seeker of truth, and which contains a standard by which things are judged, belongs to a framework of the Dhamma; the four solaces taught in the sutta point out the extent to which the Buddha permits suspense of judgment in matters beyond normal cognition. The solaces show that the reason for a virtuous life does not necessarily depend on belief in rebirth or retribution, but on mental well-being acquired through the overcoming of greed, hate, and delusion”
A description of the experience
The disciple of the Noble Ones, Kalamas, who has such a hate-free mind, such a malice-free mind, such an undefiled mind, and such a purified mind, is one by whom four solaces are found here and now.
- 'Suppose there is a hereafter and there is a fruit, result, of deeds done well or ill. Then it is possible that at the dissolution of the body after death, I shall arise in the heavenly world, which is possessed of the state of bliss.' This is the first solace found by him.
- 'Suppose there is no hereafter and there is no fruit, no result, of deeds done well or ill. Yet in this world, here and now, free from hatred, free from malice, safe and sound, and happy, I keep myself.' This is the second solace found by him.
- 'Suppose evil (results) befall an evil-doer. I, however, think of doing evil to no one. Then, how can ill (results) affect me who do no evil deed?' This is the third solace found by him.
- 'Suppose evil (results) do not befall an evil-doer. Then I see myself purified in any case.' This is the fourth solace found by him.
The disciple of the Noble Ones, Kalamas, who has such a hate-free mind, such a malice-free mind, such an undefiled mind, and such a purified mind, is one by whom, here and now, these four solaces are found.