Buddha's Teachings

One of the most famous teachings of the Buddha's life was given in the village of the Kalamas. After they had hosted a succession of masters giving contradictory spiritual teachings, they became confused. When the Buddha arrived and heard of this, he said:

You may be puzzled, Kalamas, and in doubt, and your doubt has arisen about what should be doubted. Do not believe me either. If you wish to know spiritual truth, you must investigate it this way: Do not, O Kalamas, be satisfied with hearsay and tradition, with legends or what is written in great scriptures, with conjecture or logic, or with liking for a view or disliking it, or saying, "This comes from a great master or teacher." But look in yourselves. When you know in yourselves what teachings are unprofitable, blameworthy, condemned by the wise, when adopted and put into effect lead to harm or suffering, you should abandon them. If they lead to falsehood and greed, to thievery or obsession, to the increase of hatred or delusion, abandon them. Again, O Kalamas, do not be satisfied with hearsay or tradition, or any teachings, however they may come to you. Only when you know in yourself when things are wholesome, blameless, commended by the wise, and when adopted and practiced lead to welfare and happiness, should you practice them. When they lead to virtue, honesty, loving-kindness, clarity, and freedom, then you must follow these.

Thus you can think: If there are other lives, the fruit of the goodness in this life will be goodness hereafter, and there are no other lives, then the fruit of the goodness will be experienced here and now.

excerpted from "A Path with Heart" - Jack Kornfield