Texts from the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka

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Brahmajāla Sutta

In this passage from the Brahmajāla Sutta the Buddha warns against religious enthusiasm clouding one’s ability to judge whether criticism or praise from others is deserved or not. Rather than reacting with resentment to criticism one should carefully consider whether one deserves the criticism or not and (only) then explain what is true or false. Read More

 

Sīha Sutta

Siha Sutta describes the general Sīha, a disciple of the Jains, who decided to become a follower of the Buddha after having heard his explanation of his teachings. However, the Buddha urged him to continue to support the Jaina monks even after he had become a Buddhist thus emphasizing the tolerant attitude of Buddhism. Read More

 

Cunda Kammaraputta Sutta 

Ethical communication is clearly of paramount importance in establishing good relations between followers of different religions. Buddhism has a rich tradition of ethics where guidance on verbal communication figures prominently in the scriptures. An important part of the Buddhist Path referred to as the Noble Eightfold Path (ariyo aṭṭhangiko maggo) is Right Speech (sammā vācā) which is explained in this passage from the Aṅguttaranikāya of the Pāli canon. Read More

 

Kālāma Sutta

Disputes between religious teachers are nothing new. In the Kālāma Sutta of the Aṅguttaranikāya the Buddha suggests a criterion to use in distinguishing between what teachings are worth following and those that are not – namely one’s own rational judgment regarding the results of the practice proposed. Read More

 

Paramaṭṭhaka Sutta

This text from the KhuddakaNikāya gives a clear statement regarding the dangers of dogmatism warning against comparing oneself with others and looking down on the doctrines of others. The text thus undermines the very foundation of intolerance. Read More