Noteworthy Notes

The starting point of Buddhism is reasoning or understanding or, in other words, sammaditthi.
To the seekers of truth, the Buddha says:
1. '' Do not accept anything on (mere) hearsay--(i.e, thinking that thus have we heard it from a long time).
2. ''Do not accept anything by mere tradition-(i.e. thinking that it has thus has been handed down through many generations).
3. ''Do not accept anything on account of mere rumours--(i.e. by believing what others say without any investigation).
4. ''Do not accept anything just because it accords with your scriptures.
5. ''Do not accept anything by mere supposition.
6. ''Do not accept anything by mere inference.
7. ''Do not accept anything by merely considering the reasons.
8. ''Do not accept anything merely because it agrees with your preconceived notions.
9. '' Do not accept anything merely because it seems acceptable-(i.e. thinking that as the speaker seems to be a good person his word should be accepted).
10. ''Do not accept anything thinking that the ascetic is respected by us (therefore, it is right to accept his word).
11. ''But when you know for yourselves-these things are immoral, these things are blameworthy, these things are censured by the wise, these things, when performed and undertaken, conduce to ruin and sorrow--then indeed do you reject them.
12. '' When you know for yourselves--these things are moral , these things are blameless, these things are praised by the wise, these things, when performed and undertaken, conduce to well-being and happiness--then do you live acting accordingly''.

These are extracted from the book: Buddhism in Nutshell by Rev. Narada