# Sariputta does not yet believe

- Teacher: Ajahn Chah
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/chah-sariputta-does-not-yet-believe
- Themes: faith, wisdom, listening, honesty, teachers
- Life situations: doubt, hearing a teaching, examining faith, learning

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Asked by the Buddha whether he believes a teaching, Sariputta says not yet, and the Buddha praises him for weighing the truth before believing.

## The story, retold in our own words (a paraphrase, not Ajahn Chah's words)

_Retold in our own words from Ajahn Chah's talk “Living in the World with Dhamma”, in The Teachings of Ajahn Chah (2007 web edition), p. 222._

_A traditional tale from the Buddhist tradition that Ajahn Chah retold in his talk, not something that happened to him._

Ajahn Chah tells that in the Buddha's time there was one very astute disciple. Once, as the Buddha was expounding the Dhamma, he turned to this monk and asked, 'Sāriputta, do you believe this?' Venerable Sāriputta replied that he did not yet believe it. The Buddha praised the answer: that was very good; Sāriputta was one endowed with wisdom. One who is wise does not readily believe, but listens with an open mind and weighs the truth of the matter before believing or disbelieving.

## Teaching point

Wise faith is not hasty belief; listen with an open mind and weigh things for yourself.

## Reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Chah's talk)

Saying 'not yet' can be an honest and wise answer. Ajahn Chah loved that the Buddha praised Sariputta for it, and used it to remind teachers and parents to listen too. You are allowed to take your time, test what you hear in your own life, and only then believe it.

_Reflection written by Being Mindful Stories with AI help, in the spirit of the talk. These are not Ajahn Chah's own words._

## Source

- Talk "Living in the World with Dhamma", in The Teachings of Ajahn Chah (2007 web edition), p. 222 — https://www.ajahnchah.org/book/Living_in_World_with.php

_The book is © The Sangha, Wat Nong Pah Pong, offered for free distribution; read the talk free at its source link. No book text is reproduced here._