0 votes
by (120 points)
Dear venerable sir,

I was born in a religious country where the majority do not follow any school of Dharma.

Recently I felt drawn to the Vedic Dharma (Shaivism), its teachings are very appealing to me.

Later on, I learned about Lord Buddha, and his teachings of Dharma, and now I feel drawn to that as well.

What do I do?

Do I go with the Vedic Dharma and become a Sanyasi? Or do I go with the Buddha Dharma and become a Bikkhu? Or could I follow both?
by (100 points)
I am on the path like you.keep going with both. don't be forced to choose one.   it will unfold meantime keep progressing

1 Answer

+2 votes
by (18.8k points)

"Of course you are uncertain, Kalamas. Of course you are in doubt. When there are reasons for doubt, uncertainty is born. So in this case, 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 unskillful; these qualities are blameworthy; these qualities are criticized by the wise; these qualities, when adopted & carried out, lead to harm & to suffering' — then you should abandon them." 

"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. - Kalama Sutta

Hinduism is basically built around the belief of Atman. This is not compatible with Buddhism along with several other core teachings. So you will have to choose. You cannot be a Buddhist and a Hindu at the same time.

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