Fake News” & “Alt Facts” have been here forever. Even at the time of Buddha (400 BC) some 2500 years ago, people had the same concerns as we have today.

What is the right source of information?How to gather information?What is the test for validity of information?

Buddha gave them a “Charter of Free enquiry”. His birthday is good time to revisit it.

The story says that Buddha was passing through the village of a clan called the Kalamas. People of the village approached him and asked

“Many wandering holy men pass through this village expounding their teachings and criticizing the teachings of others. So, whose teachings should we follow?”

Kalama Sutta is Buddha’s reply.

(I have tried to contextualize it to today’s realities.)

Do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing. (Do not trust everything that is trending on Social Media)Do not believe in traditions merely because they are old and have been handed down for many generations. (Age does not equal authenticity)Do not believe anything on account of rumors. (Alt Facts /Fake News exist, please check facts before deciding)Do not believe anything because you are shown the written testimony. (Internet/books have biases too)Do not believe in what you have fancied, thinking that, because it is extraordinary, it must have been inspired by a god. (Your faith in something does not make it the truth)Do not believe anything merely because customs of many years incline you to take it as true. (Rituals do not add or subtract anything to authenticity of information)Do not believe anything merely on the authority of your teachers and priests.The same, said Buddha, must be applied to his own teachings.

But, whatever, after thorough investigation and reflection, agrees with reason and your experience. If it is conducive to the good of one and all, accept only that as true, and shape your life in accordance with it.

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

Happy Buddha Purnima 2020