{"id":9364,"date":"2022-09-07T13:06:13","date_gmt":"2022-09-07T06:06:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phapnhan.org\/en\/?p=9364"},"modified":"2024-02-04T22:58:31","modified_gmt":"2024-02-04T15:58:31","slug":"rite-of-chanting-the-kalama-sutta-stably-holding-the-right-confidences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phapnhan.org\/en\/rite-of-chanting-the-kalama-sutta-stably-holding-the-right-confidences\/","title":{"rendered":"Rite of Chanting the Kalama Sutta: Stably Holding the Right Confidences"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ph\u00e1p Nh\u00e3n Temple<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Rite of Chanting the <\/span>KALAMA SUTTA<\/span>: <\/em>(1)<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Stably Holding the Right Confidences<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma SamBuddhassa<\/strong><\/span>
\n(3 times)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Respectfully pay homage to the Buddha: the World-Honored One, the Worthy One, the Exalted One, the Fully Awakened and Enlightened One. (Bell)<\/span><\/p>\n

Incense Offering<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

As wonderful as the lotus flower,<\/span>
\nas bright as the northern star,<\/span>
\nlet us come back and take refuge in<\/span>
\nthe Teacher gods and human beings.<\/span>
\nThe precious lotus blossoms on the enlightened pedestal<\/span>
\nthe halo shines in all directions.<\/span>
\nWisdom goes beyond the dharma realms,<\/span>
\nLoving-kindness and compassion permeate all over the mountains and rivers.<\/span>
\nI have just seen the Buddha\u2019s perfect countenance,<\/span>
\nMy whole heart is sincere to make offerings to the Buddha,<\/span>
\nI forward it to praise the Triple Gem<\/span>
\nDiligence in the Dharma path is well cultivated.<\/span>
\nAs the incense is lit,<\/span>
\nsandalwood perfumes the air,<\/span>
\nmaking an auspicious rainbow cloud.<\/span>
\nI, disciple of the Buddha, with all my respect<\/span>
\noffer my heart to the Buddhas of the Ten Directions.<\/span>
\nMay we practice the precepts seriously at all times<\/span>
\nMay we practice concentration diligently,<\/span>
\nMay we offer the precious fruit of insight as our offering of incense of the heart.<\/span>
\nWe would like to respectfully offer the incense of ethics, meditation, wisdom, deliverance, and that of deliverance with right understanding to the Buddha, Bodhisattvas, virtuous and noble Sangha, Dharma guardians, good gods, knowing and understanding our wholehearted minds. (Bell)<\/span><\/p>\n

Touching the earth in deep gratitude to the Triple Gem<\/strong><\/span>
\nPraising the Buddha Jewel<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Buddha Jewel shines infinitely.<\/span>
\nHe has realized perfect understanding for countless lifetimes.<\/span>
\nThe beauty and stability of a Buddha sitting<\/span>
\ncan be in the mountains and rivers.<\/span>
\nHow splendid the Vulture Peak is!<\/span>
\nHow beautiful the light that shines forth from the Buddha\u2019s third eye,<\/span>
\nIlluminate the six dark paths.<\/span>
\nThe Nagapushpa<\/em>[1] Assembly will be our next appointment<\/span>
\nfor the continuation of the true teachings of practices.<\/span>
\nWe take refuge in the Buddha ever-present.<\/span>
\nWe, disciples of Gautama Buddha, wholeheartedly pay homage to the Buddha forever present in the three lifetimes and ten directions. (Bell, one prostration)<\/span><\/p>\n

Praising the Dharma Jewel<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Dharma Jewel is infinitely lovely.<\/span>
\nIt is the precious words spoken by the Buddha himself,<\/span>
\nlike fragrant flowers floating down from the heavens.<\/span>
\nThe wonderful Dharma is clear to see.<\/span>
\nIt is recorded luminously in the three transparent baskets<\/span>
\nhanded down from generation to generation in the Ten Directions<\/span>
\nso that today we can see our way.<\/span>
\nWe vow to study it with all our hearts.<\/span>
\nWe take refuge in the Dharma ever-present.<\/span>
\nWe, disciples of Gautama Buddha, wholeheartedly pay homage to the Dharma forever present in the three lifetimes and ten directions. (Bell, one prostration)<\/span>
\nPraising the Sangha Jewel<\/span>
\nThe Sangha Jewel is infinitely precious,<\/span>
\na field of merit where good seeds can be sown.<\/span>
\nThe three robes and the bowl are symbols of freedom.<\/span>
\nMindfulness trainings, concentration, and insight support each other.<\/span>
\nThe Sangha dwells in mindfulness day and night,<\/span>
\nproviding the foundation for us to realize the fruit of meditation.<\/span>
\nWith one heart, we come home to the Sangha,<\/span>
\nand take refuge in the Sangha ever-present. <\/span>
\nWe, disciples of Gautama Buddha, wholeheartedly pay homage to the Sangha forever present in the three lifetimes and ten directions. (Bell, one prostration)<\/span><\/p>\n

(Meditation practice around 15 minutes)<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nOpen Verse<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Dharma is deep and lovely,<\/span>
\nwe now have a chance to see,<\/span>
\nstudy, and to practice,<\/span>
\nwe vow to realize its true meaning. (Bell)<\/span><\/p>\n

KALAMA SUTTA<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Stably Holding the Right Confidences<\/span><\/p>\n

Thus have I heard. Once the World-Honored One and his Sangha walked calm steps to the Kalamas\u2019 Kesaputta<\/em> District of Kosala <\/em>country. When hearing the Buddha\u2019s and his Sangha\u2019s virtue, solemnity, loving-kindness, and compassion energies go to this place, the Kalamas <\/em>were delighted to gather around, pay homage to the Buddha, the Sangha, and beg to ask the Buddha a few questions of the right confidences as follows: \u00a0 \u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Respectfully dear the World-Honored One, sometimes there were hermits and wanderers of Brahmanism, coming here to spread their religion, entice us into their religion, promote and glorify the doctrines of their religion uppermost. They regularly despised, scorned, disparaged, and distorted the doctrines of other religions. This issue made us feel hesitant. Among them, who told the truth and who told the untruth? The doctrines of which religion were right and the doctrines of which religion were not right? Who should we follow and who should we not follow? The doctrines of which religion should we follow and the doctrines of which religion should we not follow?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Buddha thoughtfully taught: \u201cKalamas<\/em>, what you arouse doubt and hesitation has been already obvious. In this case, you should not hurry to believe in anyone and reject the doctrines of which religion when you yourselves do not understand them clearly yet.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are the ten right confidences you need to understand clearly as follows: (O)<\/span><\/p>\n

The Ten Right Confidences\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1. Do not hurry to believe in anything whether it is orally transmitted, or it has been acquired by repeated hearing.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Do not hurry to believe in anything whether it is a tradition, legend, habit, or a custom.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Do not hurry to believe in anything whether it is a report, surmise, or a rumor.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Do not hurry to believe in anything whether it is noted in scriptures, or in books.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Do not hurry to believe in anything whether it is a conjecture, or a metaphysical theory. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Do not hurry to believe in anything whether it is an axiom, or a stance to be deduced.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Do not hurry to believe in anything whether it only relies on the viewpoint of bias, or on ambiguous data.<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Do not hurry to believe in anything whether it is a fixed karma, prejudice, view of permanence, or a view of annihilation.<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Do not hurry to believe in anything, whether it is an intimidation and brainwashing, or a threat of a supreme god fabricated, imagined, thought, and spoken out.<\/span><\/p>\n

10. Do not hurry to believe in anything whether it is proclaimed by your missionaries, preachers, or teachers.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Right Confidences Getting Brightened and Comprehended<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Kalamas<\/em>, when you yourselves know clearly: \u201cThese things are not good, they are blameworthy, they are despised and criticized by wise people, these things if being performed and accepted, would lead to unhappiness and suffering, then you should strongly abandon them; Greed, anger, and delusion are the unwholesome things; Killing living beings, taking what is not given, living in sexual misconduct and adultery, violating kid\u2019s sexuality, telling lies, taking alcohols, drugs, and toxins are the unwholesome things. When you are dominated and controlled by the unwholesome things, you will certainly get unhappy, suffered, scorned, and reproached.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conversely, Kalamas<\/em>, when you yourselves know clearly: These things are good, they are praiseworthy, they are praised and lauded by wise people, these things if being performed and accepted, would lead to peacefulness and happiness, then you should uphold and develop them; non-greed, non-anger, and non-delusion are the wholesome things; Not killing living beings, not taking what is not given, not doing sexual misconduct and adultery, not violating kids\u2019 sexuality, not telling lies, and not taking alcohols, drugs, and toxins are the wholesome things. When you are dominated and controlled by the wholesome things, you will certainly reap the flowers and fruits of peacefulness and happiness, deserve being praised and lauded by wise people.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kalamas,<\/em> when the wholesome things are well practiced, greed, anger, and delusion are purified and transformed, Dharma learning, Dharma practice, Dharma understanding, Dharma joy, and Dharma happiness have the ability to permeate and make your bodies and minds cool and gentle. When a holy one dwells stably in right mindfulness and awareness, his loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity have the ability to illuminate anytime and anywhere, embrace all sentient beings and insentient beings. When animosity, bad karma, unhappiness, affliction, and suffering in his mind are ended, right in his present life, he lives very peacefully, and up to when passing away, he will be born in a peaceful realm.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kalamas<\/em>, whenever those who say, think, and do an issue, you should not hurry to believe in it, but you should observe, think, contemplate what do they say, what do they think, and what do they do, go together, coincide together, suit together, and benefit yourselves and other people together? If yes, you should be determined to follow, practice, nourish, and develop them. If not, you should strongly let go of them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kalamas,<\/em> the ten right confidences and the wholesome things were taught above by the Tathagata.<\/em> You should remember and practice them well. Out of peacefulness for the many, out of happiness for the many, you should apply and cultivate the Buddha Dharma in your daily lives to bring the right and stable confidences for yourselves and for other people right here and right now in the present life.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After having heard the Buddha teaching, analyzing, and explaining the right confidences clearly, the Kalamas <\/em>were extremely happy to respectfully pay homage to the Buddha, and spoke out the meaningful, praiseful, reverential, and metaphorical words as follows:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow wonderful it is! Respectfully dear the World-Honored One. How marvelous it is! Respectfully dear the Exalted One, the Dharma skillfully proclaimed by the Buddha himself is very practical, present, specific, and clear, has been penetrated deeply into our hearts, made our minds softer, gentler, and better. The Buddha Dharma has opened our minds suddenly brighten up, as a person who erects upright what is fallen down, turns face upward what is overturned, opens out what is closed secretly, reveals what is concealed, shows the way to those who are lost, carries light into the darkness so that those who have eyes can see visible objects in detail. As a person who goes in the dark night meets light. As a blind person, whose eyes get brightened. By many skillful methods of teaching, the World-Honored One has helped us to see everything clearly like daylight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

May the World-Honored One regard and accept us as lay devotees. From now until our whole lives, we are determined to take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, and committed to practicing the five Ethical Trainings fully: 1. <\/strong>Respecting lives, developing compassion and loving-kindness, protecting natural environment, and nourishing inner peace by being aware not to kill living beings. 2. <\/strong>Letting go of the stingy and greedy mind, expressing the happy mind of almsgivings, making offerings, and protecting the Triple Gem by being aware not to take what is not given. 3. <\/strong>Building happiness for family, living faithfully with a legal spouse by being aware not to do sexual misconduct, adultery, and not to violate kids\u2019 sexuality. 4. <\/strong>Saying the true, harmonious, and loving speech, bringing mutual trust and prestige for the many by being aware not to tell lies. 5. <\/strong>Protecting vigorous health, lucid mind, bringing peacefulness and happiness for families, schools, and societies by being aware not to take alcohols, drugs, toxins, including smoking, gambling, and playing violent video games online.<\/span><\/p>\n

After officially becoming the well-trained lay disciples of the Buddha, the Kalamas <\/em>were extremely happy to hold the stable and right confidences in taking refuge deeply in the Triple Gem, applying, and cultivating the Buddha Dharma<\/em> in their daily lives to bring benefits and happiness to living beings all over the planet.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Namo the Original Master Sakyamuni Buddhaya<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

(3 times, Bell)<\/span><\/p>\n

The Heart Sutra of Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Avalokiteshvara<\/em>, while practicing deeply with the insight that brings us to the other shore, suddenly discovered that all of the five Skandhas are equally empty. After this penetration, he overcame all ill-being. \u201cListen, Sariputra, this body itself is emptiness, and emptiness itself is this body. This body is not other than emptiness, and emptiness is not other than this body. The same is true of feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Listen, Sariputra, all phenomena bear the mark of emptiness\u037e their true nature is the nature of no Birth no Death, no Being no Non-being, no Defilement no Immaculacy, no Increasing no Decreasing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That is why in emptiness, body, feelings, perceptions, mental formations and consciousness are not separate self-entities. The Eighteen Realms of Phenomena which are the six Sense Organs, the six Sense Objects, and the six kinds of Consciousness are also not separate self-entities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Twelve Links of Interdependent Arising and their extinction are also not separate self-entities. Ill-being, the Causes of Ill-being, the End of Ill-being, the Path, insight, and attainment, are also not separate self-entities. Whoever can see this no longer needs anything to attain. (Bell)<\/span><\/p>\n

Bodhisattvas who practice the Insight that brings us to the other shore see no more obstacles in their mind, and because there\u00a0 are no more obstacles in their mind, they can overcome all fear, destroy all wrong perceptions and realize Perfect Nirvana.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

All Buddhas in the past, present and future by practicing the insight that brings us to the other shore are all capable of attaining authentic and perfect enlightenment. Therefore, Sariputra, it should be known that the insight that brings us to the other shore is a Great Mantra, the most illuminating mantra, the highest mantra, a mantra beyond compare, the true wisdom that has the power to put an end to all kinds of suffering. Therefore, let us proclaim a mantra to praise the Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGate, gate, p\u0101ragate, p\u0101rasamgate, bodhi, svaha<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em>\u201d (Bell)<\/span><\/p>\n

Gone, gone, well gone, gone beyond the other shore, got enlightenment so happily<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span>(3 times, Bell)<\/span><\/p>\n

THE THREE REFUGES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I take refuge in the Buddha<\/strong><\/span>, the One who shows me the way of loving-kindness, compassion, and wisdom in my lifetime.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Having taken refuge in the Buddha, I clearly see the path of light and beauty in life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning back and taking refuge in the Buddha in myself, I aspire to help all people soon recognize and develop their own enlightened nature.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Namo Buddhaya<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Buddha\u1e43 sara\u1e47a\u1e43 gacch\u0101mi<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Dutiyampi buddha\u1e43 sara\u1e47a\u1e43 gacch\u0101mi.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Tatiyampi buddha\u1e43 sara\u1e47a\u1e43\u00a0 gacch\u0101mi.<\/em>\u00a0 (Bell)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I take refuge in the Dharma<\/strong><\/span>, the way of practicing peace, joy, happiness, understanding, and love for the many right in the present life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Having taken refuge in the Dharma, I am learning and practicing the Noble Eightfold Path including virtue, meditation, and wisdom interconnected very closely with right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning back and taking refuge in the Dharma in myself, I aspire to help all people fully master the ways of practice and walk together on the path of liberation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Namo Dharmaya<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Dhamma\u1e43 sara\u1e47a\u1e43 gacch\u0101mi.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Dutiyampi dhamma\u1e43 sara\u1e47a\u1e43 gacch\u0101mi.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Tatiyampi dhamma\u1e43 sara\u1e47a\u1e43 gacch\u0101mi.<\/em> (Bell)<\/span><\/p>\n

I take refuge in the Sa<\/span>ngha<\/strong><\/span>, the Community of cultivated people who vow to lead their lives of ethics, harmony, and awareness to themselves and to others right here and right now in the present life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Having taken refuge in the Sangha, I am enlightened, instructed, and supported by the Sanghabody<\/em> on the way of practice.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning back and taking refuge in the Sangha in myself, I aspire to help all people build fourfold Communities, to embrace all beings, and support their transformation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Namo Sanghaya<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sa\u1e45gha\u1e43 sara\u1e47a\u1e43 gacch\u0101mi.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Dutiyampi sa\u1e45gha\u1e43 sara\u1e47a\u1e43 gacch\u0101mi.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Tatiyampi sa\u1e45gha\u1e43 sara\u1e47a\u1e43\u00a0 gacch\u0101mi. <\/em>(Bell)<\/span><\/p>\n

Sharing the merit<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Reciting the trainings, practicing the way of awareness gives rise to benefits without limit. We vow to share the fruits with all beings. We vow to offer tribute to parents, teachers, friends, and numerous beings who give guidance and support along the path.\u00a0<\/span>May the merit of this practice benefit all beings and bring peace. (Bell)<\/span><\/p>\n

Express diligent vows and pay thankful respects to the Triple Gem<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We, disciples of Gautama<\/em> Buddha, are always aware of ourselves by day and by night, constantly practice and recollect the light of the Buddha<\/strong><\/span>. Namo Buddhaya.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

(Bell, one prostration)<\/span><\/p>\n

We, disciples of Gautama<\/em> Buddha, are always aware of ourselves by day and by night, constantly practice and recollect the light of the Dharma<\/strong><\/span>. Namo Dharmaya.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

(Bell, one prostration)<\/span><\/p>\n

We, disciples of Gautama<\/em> Buddha, are always aware of ourselves by day and by night, constantly practice and recollect the light of the Sangha<\/strong>. Namo Sanghaya.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

(Bell, one prostration)<\/span><\/p>\n

May we be well,<\/span><\/p>\n

May we be happy<\/span><\/p>\n

May we be healthy<\/span><\/p>\n

May we be peaceful<\/span><\/p>\n

May we be free from suffering, greed, anger, delusion, hatred, violence, and ignorance.<\/span><\/p>\n

May the Buddha and Bodhisattvas bless and protect all anytime and anywhere.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sadhu, l\u00e0nh thay, well-done, and Excellence.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Namo Buddhaya<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Namo Dharmaya<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Namo Sanghaya.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

(Bell, Bell, Bell)<\/span><\/p>\n

Compiled and translated by Ven. Th\u00edch Tr\u1eebng S\u1ef9<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

.<\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> See Anguttara Nikaya<\/em>, III.65 Kalama Sutta<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.intratext.com\/IXT\/ENG0228\/_PK.HTM<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.buddhanet.net\/e-learning\/kalama1.htm<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/suttacentral.net\/an3.65\/en\/suddhaso?reference=none&highlight=false<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kinh Kalama: Gi\u1eef v\u1eefng ni\u1ec1m tin ch\u00e2n ch\u00e1nh<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n