The Buddha’s teaching style invited individuals to explore his words, and to consider their meaning by applying their own reasoning and intelligence—to find confirmation of the truth of the teachings for themselves. Buddha’s approach was not dogmatic. It is said that he began his teachings with the word ehipassiko (Pali), which can be translated as “come and see.”

In the Udayi Sutta, the Buddha gives Ananda five simple guidelines for how the dharma should be taught, saying that one should teach dharma with these thoughts:
1] “I will speak step-by-step.”
2] “I will speak explaining the sequence [of cause & effect].”
3] “I will speak out of compassion.”
4] “I will speak not for the purpose of material reward.”
5] “I will speak without hurting myself or others.”

We cannot compel others to view things as we do. When sharing what is true for ourselves, we can be open and gentle in our approach, allowing the listener the freedom to decide for themselves based on their own experiences.

Compare the feeling of being told to believe something in contrast to the feeling of being invited to think for themselves and analyze.

• When learning about a new topic, what is most effective: listening to someone discuss it or trying to experience it for ourselves?
• What role does experiencing things for ourselves have in Buddhist practice?
• Are dharma teachings simply things we listen to, or does our understanding of the dharma become internalized when we practice it ourselves?
• What does it mean to integrate something we have learned?

Analyze Buddha’s non-dogmatic teaching approach as exemplified by ehipassiko (“come and see”); contrast this method with authoritarian approaches to sharing knowledge; and implement communication strategies that invite inquiry and personal investigation rather than demanding acceptance of ideas based on authority alone.