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8 EASTERN HORIZON | FACE TO FACE

At YBAM Biennal National Convention in Melaka with Guest of Honor Melaka State Executive Councillor for Women, Family
Development and Social Welfare Ginie Lim (center) and newly elected YBAM President Tan King Leong (right)

Those who aspire for ultimate freedom and liberation So we should not rely totally on commentaries and sub-
should focus on the teachings of Paṭicca Samuppāda commentaries. In fact, most of the doctrinal differences
or Dependent Origination, the Four Noble Truths, and between Theravāda and Mahāyāna teachings arise
the Noble Eight-fold Path. These teachings are all inter- through the commentaries and sub-commentaries.
related and can be realized through the cultivation of Following the advice of the Buddha, as given in the
the Four Foundation of Mindfulness as found in the Kālāma Sutta, AN 3.65, in our quest for truth we should
Mahāsatipatṭhāna Sutta, DN 22. not merely accept teachings based on tradition or
simply because they are contained in our scriptures.
How about the Commentaries and sub- The criteria of acceptance or rejection should be
commentaries? Should we also consider them as based on our own experience, whether the teachings
words of the Buddha, and how should we approach or instructions can be verified through our own
them in our study of the Dhamma? practice - whether they are helpful in the reduction and
eradication of the tendencies of grasping, aversion and
Commentaries and sub-commentaries are important delusion, which are the root cause of all our sufferings.
for us to obtain a better understanding of certain The Kālāma Sutta is indeed a unique charter of religious
Suttas or discourses of the Buddha. They often provide inquiry.
a background understanding of the customs, culture
and social milieu of the people during the time of the The confusion created by commentaries and sub-
Buddha, so that we can understand the Suttas in their commentaries are sometimes quite helpful for us to
proper context. wake up and return to the basics, to work out our own
deliverance with mindfulness.
However, they also contain certain biases depending on
who the commentators were and where they are coming In the practice of the Dhamma, is it correct to say
from, their religious background etc. Interpretations it refers to all eight aspects of the Noble Eightfold
also differ based on their practices and upbringing. Path, rather than just meditation alone? How do we
know we are practicing the Noble Eightfold Path
correctly?