The Four Reliances

Rely on the truth the teacher teaches, not on his personality.

Rely on what he means, not on the words he speaks.

Rely on the real meaning, not on a partial provisional understanding.

Rely on your wisdom mind, not on the judgemental intellect.

The Buddha

Words of the Buddha

Do not believe a thing simply because it has been said.
Do not put your faith in traditions only because they have been honoured by many generations.
Do not believe a thing because the general opinion believes it to be true or because it has been said repeatedly.
Do not believe a thing because of the single witness of one of the sages of antiquity.
Do not believe a thing because the probabilities are in its favour, or because you are in the habit of believing it to be true.
Do not believe in that which comes into your imagination, thinking that it must be the revelation of a superior Being.
Believe nothing that binds you to the sole authority of your masters or priests.
That which you have tried yourself, which you have experienced, which you have recognised as true, and which will be beneficial to you and to others; believe that, and shape your conduct to it.