Continuing from previously,

“Now, Kalamas, don’t go by reports, by legends, by traditions, by scripture, by logical conjecture, by inference, by analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability, or by the thought, ‘This contemplative is our teacher.’ When you know for yourselves that, ‘These qualities are skillful; these qualities are blameless; these qualities are praised by the wise; these qualities, when adopted & carried out, lead to welfare & to happiness’ — then you should enter & remain in them.

“What do you think, Kalamas? When lack of greed arises in a person, does it arise for welfare or for harm?”

“For welfare, lord.”

“And this ungreedy person, not overcome by greed, his mind not possessed by greed, doesn’t kill living beings, take what is not given, go after another person’s wife, tell lies, or induce others to do likewise, all of which is for long-term welfare & happiness.”

“Yes, lord.”

“What do you think, Kalamas? When lack of aversion arises in a person, does it arise for welfare or for harm?”

“For welfare, lord.”

“And this unaversive person, not overcome by aversion, his mind not possessed by aversion, doesn’t kill living beings, take what is not given, go after another person’s wife, tell lies, or induce others to do likewise, all of which is for long-term welfare & happiness.”

“Yes, lord.”

“What do you think, Kalamas? When lack of delusion arises in a person, does it arise for welfare or for harm?”

“For welfare, lord.”

“And this undeluded person, not overcome by delusion, his mind not possessed by delusion, doesn’t kill living beings, take what is not given, go after another person’s wife, tell lies, or induce others to do likewise, all of which is for long-term welfare & happiness.”

“Yes, lord.”

“So what do you think, Kalamas: Are these qualities skillful or unskillful?”

“Skillful, lord.”

“Blameworthy or blameless?”

“Blameless, lord.”

“Criticized by the wise or praised by the wise?”

“Praised by the wise, lord.”

“When adopted & carried out, do they lead to welfare & to happiness, or not?”

“When adopted & carried out, they lead to welfare & to happiness. That is how it appears to us.”

“So, as I said, Kalamas: ‘Don’t go by reports, by legends, by traditions, by scripture, by logical conjecture, by inference, by analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability, or by the thought, “This contemplative is our teacher.” When you know for yourselves that, “These qualities are skillful; these qualities are blameless; these qualities are praised by the wise; these qualities, when adopted & carried out, lead to welfare & to happiness” — then you should enter & remain in them.’ Thus was it said. And in reference to this was it said.

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an03/an03.065.than.html

Now let us examine the approach to Buddha’s advice in Kālāma Sutta from another angle.

Previously, we examine the source of the message. That means we learn to recognize if a preacher and his messages were driven by greed, aversion, and ignorance. Another way of analysing if a message is good for our consumption is to examine its impact on ourselves.

Before we blindly accept any messages with faith, we should be asking ourselves a series of “what if” questions.

What if I am to embrace these new principles, messages, views, opinions, etc? What will become of me?

Will the messages learned from such and such person encourage or induce me to become violent? Will it encourage me to steal or rob others? Will it make me more lustful and prone to promiscuity? Will it encourage me to lie to others?

Will my new-found character or new-found outlook on life bring happiness to others or create suffering for others? Will I become greedier, angrier, or more close-minded?

If I am to adopt the suggestions and put them into my daily practice, will it make me a greedy person? Will it make me a less tolerant person who is judgemental and prone to hatred? Will it cause me to become lazy and stop using my mind to think critically?

If the things that we learn do not increase our greed, aversion, and ignorance but help us keep them in check or reduce them, then it is good for our acceptance.

In this manner, besides examining a teacher, it is also wise for us to examine the impact of their messages on our sense of being and on our life. We should only accept messages that will lead to us engaging in deeds that create welfare and happiness.

May all be well and happy.