Thursday, June 30, 2016

Kitagiri sutta, MN 70

The Kalama sutta is often quoted to support a sceptical approach to Dhamma. This is fine for one trying to decide which religious teacher to follow. But for one who has taken refuge in the 3 Jewels, and wishes to reap the full benefits, the Buddha recommends having saddha.
"For a disciple who has conviction in the Teacher's message & lives to penetrate it, what accords with the Dhamma is this: 'The Blessed One is the Teacher, I am a disciple. He is the one who knows, not I.' 

For a disciple who has conviction in the Teacher's message & lives to penetrate it, the Teacher's message is healing & nourishing. 

For a disciple who has conviction in the Teacher's message & lives to penetrate it, what accords with the Dhamma is this: 'Gladly would I let the flesh & blood in my body dry up, leaving just the skin, tendons, & bones, but if I have not attained what can be reached through human firmness, human persistence, human striving, there will be no relaxing my persistence.' 

For a disciple who has conviction in the Teacher's message & lives to penetrate it, one of two fruits can be expected: either gnosis here & now, or — if there be any remnant of clinging-sustenance — non-return."

That is what the Blessed One said.

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