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6 The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume III - 2011 A Buddhist Perspective on Freedom of Religion 6 ùDifferent people have different views; it is impossible to make them all think alike.û ùJust as the earth cannot be levelled, so humans cannot all be made the same.û This self-evident truth should serve as a reminder not to expect everyone else to share oneûs own views, religious ideas included, and might also explain why there are so many disparate beliefs and religions. Although it is perfectly acceptable for a Buddhist, especially when requested or invited, to engage in dialogue with people from other religions, he is not supposed to impose his own attitude or conviction upon others, or indeed to try to convert them by force, threat or deception. Perhaps the best way to appreciate the Buddhist stance on freedom of religion and belief is to go back in time and see what the Buddha himself did. At one time, the Kalamas of Kesaputta, perplexed by and doubtful about different, conflicting doctrines preached by different religious teachers, turned to the Buddha for help. Here is his answer: 7 Come, Kalamas. Do not go by oral tradition, by lineage of teaching, by hearsay, by a collection of scriptures, by logical reasoning, by inferential reasoning, by reflection on reasons, by the acceptance of a view after pondering it, by the seeming competence of a speaker, or because you think, ùThe ascetic is our teacherû. But when you know for yourselves, ùThese things are unwholesome, these things are blamable; these things are censured by the wise; these things, if undertaken and practised, lead to harm and suffering,û then you should abandon them ... But when you know for yourselves, ùThese things are wholesome, these things are blameless; these things are praised by the wise; these things, if undertaken and practised, lead to welfare and happiness,û then you should engage in them. This passage shows how broad-minded, fair, and shrewd a teacher the Buddha was, unlike other religious teachers who would explain and elucidate 7 Nyayaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi (trans.). 1999. Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: An Anthology of Suttas from the Anguttara Nikaya. New Delhi: Vistaar Publications, pp.65›66. 1-15_mac9 4/26/12, 8:09 PM 6