The Kālāma Sutta (also known as the Kesamutti Sutta) is a famous discourse of the Buddha found in the Aṅguttara Nikāya of the Pāli Canon. It is widely known for its encouragement of free inquiry, critical thinking, and personal verification in matters of spiritual and ethical truth.

The discourse came about when the Buddha visited the town of Kesaputta, whose inhabitants, the Kālāmas, were confused. Many wandering teachers and ascetics passed through their town, each expounding their own doctrines and criticizing those of others, leaving the Kālāmas uncertain about whom to believe.

Key Teachings of the Kālāma Sutta

The Buddha advised the Kālāmas not to accept any teaching based on the following ten criteria alone:

1. Hearsay (anussava - what has been acquired by repeated hearing)
2. Tradition (paramparā - what has been handed down by lineage)
3. Rumor (itikirā - what is said to be so)
4. Scripture (piṭaka-sampadāna - what is in a sacred collection)
5. Surmise (takka-hetu - what is based on mere logic)
6. Axiom (naya-hetu - what is based on a philosophical principle)
7. Specious Reasoning (ākāra-parivitakka - what is based on clever, subtle reasoning)
8. Bias towards a notion (diṭṭhi-nijjhāna-kkhanti - what agrees with one's preconceived opinions)
9. The speaker's seeming ability (bhabba-rūpatāya - because the speaker seems capable or trustworthy)
10. The consideration 'The monk is our teacher' (samaṇo no garū - respect for one's religious leader)

The Criterion for Acceptance

Instead of relying on those ten external sources, the Buddha told the Kālāmas to accept and practice a teaching only when they know for themselves that:

• "These things are unwholesome... these things are blamable... these things are censured by the wise... undertaken and observed, these things lead to harm and suffering" > Abandon them.
• "These things are wholesome... these things are blameless... these things are praised by the wise... undertaken and observed, these things lead to benefit and happiness" > Enter on and abide in them.

The Buddha then led them in a dialogue, showing that qualities rooted in greed, hatred, and delusion lead to harm, while actions free from these qualities lead to benefit.

The Four Solaces

The discourse concludes by offering a person who lives an ethical life (free from greed, hatred, and delusion) four assurances or "solaces" that apply regardless of one's belief in an afterlife or karma:

1. If there is an afterlife/karma: They will have a happy rebirth.
2. If there is no afterlife/karma: They are still safe, sound, and happy in this very life.
3. If evil results befall an evil-doer: They, having committed no evil, are protected from ill-will.
4. If evil results do not befall an evil-doer: They are still purified in this life.

In summary, the Kālāma Sutta is often called the "Buddha's Charter of Free Inquiry," encouraging individuals to use their own observation, experience, and the counsel of the wise to determine what is skillful, blameless, and conducive to well-being.