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Reading outline · Dialogue

The Kālāmas’ uncertainty

The Kālāmas describe confusion caused by teachers who praise their own doctrines and criticise others.

Early Buddhist discourses · Editorial guide

This outline follows the main passages. Open each reading to follow the story in full.

In this outline
  1. Conflicting teachers
  2. Actions and their consequences

Conflicting teachers

The Kālāmas describe confusion caused by teachers who praise their own doctrines and criticise others.

Numbered Discourses 3.65 7. The Great Chapter With the Kālāmas of Kesamutta So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was wandering in the land of the Kosalans together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants when he arrived at a town of the Kālāmas named Kesamutta. The …

From the selected passage · Early Buddhist discourses · AN3.65 · publisher segment 0.1–53.3 · Sujato

Actions and their consequences

The dialogue examines greed, hatred and delusion and their opposites, followed by expansive goodwill and assurances.

Numbered Discourses 3.65 7. The Great Chapter With the Kālāmas of Kesamutta So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was wandering in the land of the Kosalans together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants when he arrived at a town of the Kālāmas named Kesamutta. The …

From the selected passage · Early Buddhist discourses · AN3.65 · publisher segment 0.1–53.3 · Sujato
Sources & reading notes

Introductions and explanations are editorial writing. Quoted text retains its named edition; selections may be shortened with an ellipsis.

Conflicting teachers. Editorial summary of the cited text; narrative setting is not independent historical confirmation. Source ↗

Actions and their consequences. Editorial summary of the cited text; narrative setting is not independent historical confirmation. Source ↗

Original scene outline
Conflicting teachers

The Kālāmas describe confusion caused by teachers who praise their own doctrines and criticise others.

Actions and their consequences

The dialogue examines greed, hatred and delusion and their opposites, followed by expansive goodwill and assurances.