Unit Three Groundless Beliefs

I. Warming-up Questions

1. Are carrots a rabbit’s favorite? How do you know?

2. Aristotle vs. Galileo’s

  Why was Galileo able to prove Aristotle wrong?

  What lesson shall we learn from Galileo’s experiment?

3. Belief— Kalama Sutra（《葛拉玛经》/《羯腊摩经》）

Kalama Sutra: Buddha's advice tothe Kalamas(卡拉玛人) on seekingtruth...

Do not accept anything on mere hearsay. (i.e.thinking that thus we have heard for a long time)

Do not accept anything by mere tradition.(i.e. thinking that it has thus been handed down: through many generations)

Do not accept anything on account of rumours(i.e. believing what others say without investigation)

Do not accept anything just because itaccords with your scriptures.

Do not accept anything by mere supposition.

Do not accept anything by mere inference.

Do not accept anything by merely consideringthe appearances.

Do not accept anything merely because itagrees with your preconceived notions.

Do not accept anything merely because itseems acceptable. (i.e. should be accepted)

Do not accept anything thinking that theascetic is respected by us. (and therefore it is right to accept his word)

But after observation and analysis, when you findthat anything agrees with and is conducive to the good and benefit of one andall, then accept and abide by it.

II. Warming-up Activities

1.   Try to work out a list of different religious beliefs in the world.

2.   Talk about one example of believing something groundless in your childhood memories.

   Give some examples of funny or bizarre childhood beliefs, collection of ideas that adults thought were true when theywere children. It will remind you what it was like to be a child, fascinatedand horrified by the world in equal parts.