Investigate in Buddha’s teachings, if you think it is truthful, then you can follow the Buddha's instructions

Buddha has given people authority to investigate in Buddha’s teachings and the Buddha himself. Buddha doesn’t say you have to be His followers, but Buddha says you have to study before you become a follower of Buddha’s tradition. You should study as much as you can and you try to examine what He said. Is it true or not, is it good or not? Does it make sense to you or not? You should examine first, investigate first. Don’t jump into the tradition without thinking, without understanding. But study first. If you think it is good because you have learned, because you think it is truthful, then you can follow His instructions. But Buddha said once you become a [Buddhist], once you took commitments or once you accepted these conditions, then you do not break the commitments because it creates a lot of karmas for you and it’s very bad for you.

Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche, “Three Qualities a Dharma Master Should Have (Part II)”