Study of Buddhist Epistemology in Kalama Sutta

• Main Authors: Phra Chaiyut-Homduangsri, 釋法勝
• Other Authors: Tsai, Yao-Ming
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/05312337200767589153

碩士 === 國立中央大學 === 哲學研究所 === 100 === This paper mainly focuses on the study of Philosophy and Epistemology based on Buddhist literature. According to the Buddhist classics this paper will investigate and analyze the teaching of ‘the ten points of non-attachment’, its real meaning and clear study of the teaching of ‘dependence on learning’. To avoid falling in deceiving, self satisfactory, false teaching and teaching without foundation finally provide a conclusion. As far as philological part is concerned, first analyze the English and Chinese version of Kalama sutta, and then contemporary research papers. According to the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, Kalama sutta is one of the sutta from Majjhima Agama. Summarizing the meaning of early Buddhist sutta and Mahayana sutta, their perspective etc. and putting them together for comparative study. As far as epistemological part is concerned, this paper use the methodology of Western Philosophy, Logical knowledge, rational knowledge, pragmatic knowledge, etc. After analyzing the Western concepts, penetration into Buddhist concept of Epistemology is taken into account by analyzing Right perception and Right thinking from Eightfold path, and then three learning, listening, thinking and cultivation. Through this practice one do not fall in either extreme and obtains the right knowledge. From the analysis of literature, there are six important ideas are discussed in Kalama sutta. 1. The attitude of Kalama and the teaching of the Buddha. 2. The real meaning of ‘the ten points of non-attachment’. 3. Learning through contradiction. 4. Difference between Good and not-good dhamma. 5. The utility of knowledge of Four immeasurable mind and 6. the achievement of sedate by the disciples. These are the real teaching from Kalama sutta.