When we examine a teaching we should analyze the principal
points. If these stand up to analysis and prove correct, then any apparent
contradictions in minor details are of secondary importance. As it is said in
the Treatise on Logic: If the principal point is reliable, The rest is
secondary. And the Buddha himself said: O monks, just like examining gold in
order to know its quality, You should put my words to the test. A wise person
does not accept them merely out of respect. Do not take the Buddha’s words
literally simply out of reverence. Examine them and respect them only when you
have seen a good reason for doing so. Of course, faith is very important for
spiritual practice, but blind devotion to the Buddha is not enough. We must
have valid reasons for respecting his teachings.
For the Benefit of All Beings: A Commentary on the Way of
the Bodhisattva (H.H. the Dalai Lama)
