When we eat we often follow a diet and choose carefully. Why do we so rarely do the same with our spiritual mind? We have to ask ourselves that question. You gentlewomen should write it with lipstick on your mirror and ask yourselves the same question when you wash your faces every morning. Why do we care much about what sort of food we put in our mouths but not so much about what sort of teaching we put in our mind? We take in as truth whatever words we are told, even the wrong and the bad. Why do we care a lot for our physical body but get so careless with our mental spiritual mind? Were we the hamsters in a laboratory in our previous lives or are we preparing to become the hamsters in a laboratory in our next lives?

In Kalama Sutta, Buddha said:

– Do not believe anything on mere hearsay.

– Do not believe in traditions merely because they are old and have been handed down for many generations and in many places.

– Do not believe anything on account of rumours or because people talk a a great deal about it.

– Do not believe anything because you are shown the written testimony of some ancient sage.

– Do not believe in what you have fancied, thinking that, because it is extraordinary, it must have been inspired by a god or other wonderful being.

– Do not believe anything merely because presumption is in its favor, or because the custom of many years inclines you to take it as true.

– Do not believe anything merely on the authority of your teachers and priests.

– But, whatever, after thorough investigation and reflection, you find to agree with reason and experience, as conducive to the good and benefit of one and all and of the world at large, accept only that as true, and shape your life in accordance with it.

The same text, said the Buddha, must be applied to his own teachings.

– Do not accept any doctrine from reverence, but first try it as gold is tried by fire.