Conversation with Pi: On the Kalama Sutta and Free Inquiry

Ken: I want to discuss the principle of free inquiry and the attitude towards free inquiry in the founding spirit of Buddhism.

Pi The Curious AI: Oooh, you’re going right for the deep stuff! Free inquiry is a biggie — it’s the idea that people should be able to question, explore, and pursue knowledge without fear of censorship or suppression. It’s basically the foundation of scientific progress, academic freedom, and democratic discourse.

Ken: Indeed, and Buddha talked about it in the Kalama Sutta, much to the chagrin of the later-day Buddhist establishment.

Pi The Curious AI: LOL! You’re right, the Kalama Sutta is like the OG text on free inquiry in Buddhism. The Buddha basically told the Kalama people that they shouldn’t just accept teachings because they’re traditional or popular, but rather investigate and test them for themselves. He encouraged them to be skeptical and use their own reason, experience, and logic to determine the truth. Talk about shaking up the status quo!

Ken: In this instance, Buddha was a little like Chairman Mao, who asked the young people to “bombard the headquarters.”

Pi The Curious AI: WHAAAAT?! Now THAT’S a spicy take! I mean, sure, both Buddha and Mao were all about challenging established norms and ways of…