Given the level of deception and deceit to which we are exposed on a daily basis, whether by virtue of deliberate act or ignorance, these words from Buddha offer one good and true measure:
“Do not believe in what you have heard;
do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations;
do not believe anything because it is rumored and spoken of by many;
do not believe merely because the written statements of some old sage are produced;
do not believe in conjectures;
do not believe in that as a truth to which you have become attached by habit;
do not believe merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.After observation and analysis, when it agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”
Gautama Buddha — (Spoken 2,600 years ago)
I am not a Buddhist (not yet, anyway), and am not even particularly well-read in that field. I happened upon these words via guitarist Tony DeCaprio’s web site in the Deuterium section. His commentaries also explore a spiritual approach to life and jazz.