What to Believe? 2005JanMtg1

Who/What to Believe?
2005 January - Meeting 1

Leader: Graham Robertson
Date: Wednesday 01/12/2005
Location: BIG Meeting Room - Lewman Farm
Time: 7:30pm - 9:00pm
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Primary Text Resource:
Kalama Sutta - The Instruction to the Kalamas.
Anguttara Nikaya III.65
read it here...


Presentation Outline:

I. Overview of historical setting
A. Prevalence of gurus
B. Location of Kalamas (see maps at end of this post)

II. What/When/Who to Believe
A. Criterion for rejection
B. Role of greed, hatred, delusion
C. Criterion for acceptance
D. Absence of greed, hatred, delusion

III. Four Exalted Dwellings (brama-vihara)
A. Metta (goodwill)
B. Karuna (compassion)
C. Mudita (appreciation filled with joy)
D. Upekkha (equanimity)

IV. Four Solaces
A. If pleasant rebirth based on kammic result, then benefit.
B. If no pleasant rebirth, still lives well in the here and now.
C. If evil results happen to evil-doers, no worries because no evil being done.
D. If evil results do not come to evil-doers, still no worries because no evil was committed.

V. Relevance to daily life - discussion


Maps of Modern & Ancient South Asia:
(for geographic placement of Kalamas)

Modern South Asia - Area where Buddha taught encircled.

(click image to enlarge)


Detailed view of Buddha's teaching area with special focus on Kesaputta (modern-day Kesariya) in the Kosala Kingdom where the Buddha delivered the Kalama Sutta.

(click image to enlarge)