{"id":11785,"date":"2014-10-02T18:19:12","date_gmt":"2014-10-02T22:19:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/blog\/?p=11785"},"modified":"2014-10-02T18:24:02","modified_gmt":"2014-10-02T22:24:02","slug":"a-buddhist-guide-for-voters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/blog\/a-buddhist-guide-for-voters\/","title":{"rendered":"A Buddhist Guide for Voters"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Kalama<\/a>
\nWhile it was intended as a general ‘charter of free inquiry,’<\/strong>\u00a0the Buddhist\u00a0Kalama Sutra<\/a>\u00a0(or sutta) contains wise words that all voters – especially local voters – should heed during the municipal election campaign.<\/p>\n

The Kalamas were a people in ancient India.\u00a0Gotama visited them and stopped in a town called Kesaputta, where he gave a sermon, now referred to as the Kalama Sutra. At\u00a0first the citizens came to him with a deep problem: how to trust what people were telling them. They had been visited by many religious teachers who all held divergent views. Not unlike candidates for Collingwood council going door to door. Well, without the spirituality and a few badmouthing other candidates, too. But let’s not get distracted by them.<\/p>\n

Here’s how\u00a0Soma Thera<\/a>\u00a0translates what the\u00a0villagers\u00a0said:*<\/span><\/p>\n

There are some monks and brahmans… who visit Kesaputta. They expound and explain only their own doctrines; the doctrines of others they despise, revile, and pull to pieces… Venerable sir, there is doubt, there is uncertainty in us concerning them. Which of these reverend monks and brahmans spoke the truth and which falsehood?”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That’s a lot like trying to decide which candidate is the best one(s) to vote for. Some explain what they stand for while others merely revile what others stand for. Some offer hope and a future, others tear it down. Some simply tell lies. Doubt and uncertainty arise. When they come to your door or make statements in an all-candidates’ meeting, how do you trust what they say?<\/p>\n

That’s when the Buddha made one of his most memorable speeches, in which he told the listeners they had to decide the truth for themselves, to examine the claims and prove what is right or wrong for themselves, and not make choices based on hearsay, ideology or gossip:<\/p>\n

It is proper for you, Kalamas, to doubt, to be uncertain; uncertainty has arisen in you about what is doubtful. Come, Kalamas.<\/p>\n