33 – If one knows how to use the Kalama Sutta for judgment, he will have no problems concerning his belief.

(The Kalama Sutta states that one should not blindly believe in something just because of any of the following reasons: it is spread by word of mouth; it is practiced as a tradition; it is sensationally spread far and wide; it is cited in a pitaka; it is based in logic; it is based on philosophy (naya); it appeals to one’s common sense; it agrees with one’s preconceived idea; the speaker is credible or prestigious; or the speaker is one’s teacher. Rather, he should believe something as true because he experiences it through his own mind and knows it as such. For example, he can realize that greed, anger, and delusion are evil without believing anyone else, including even the Buddha.)

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From “A BUDDHIST CHARTER,” translated from the Thai (กฎบัตรพุทธบริษัท) by Mongkol Dejnakarintra.

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[FOREWORD] This book, A Buddhist Charter, which consists of 136 proposed items, results from the 50th anniversary commemoration of Suan Mokkh on Visakhapuja Day of 1982. The Venerable Than Achan Buddhadasa of Suan Mokkh drafted and presented motions to the Buddhist assembly there so that they would consider them and reach a common agreement which would become a practical guideline for Buddhists in general. The assembly consisted of two committees, one scripture or theory oriented and the other proper social practice oriented. The two committees joined forces in considering and refining the motions until they reached mutual satisfaction. They then declared the motions as a Buddhist charter.

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The charter is divided into 10 groups, namely, (a) general; (b) practical principles that should be considered and put to rest; (c) different views that should be eliminated; (d) interpretation of the terms; (e) problems between religions; (f) international problems of the present world; (g) things that deserve to be understood and written down as rules; (h) culture of the present day Buddhists; (i) the ultimate dhammas that everybody should know; (j) miscellaneous problems. It can be seen that this charter covers almost all aspects; and it should be used a guide in tackling problems properly and in accordance with the Buddha-dhamma principle…