Faith (Saddha) In Theravada

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
Dan74-new
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Re: Faith (Saddha) In Theravada

Post by Dan74-new »

Without deep conviction in sufficient portion of the Dhamma and the resulting fervour in its application, I think there is very little chance that we cut through the tangle of ignorance. Dhamma, as a hobby, or Dhamma as an intellectual pastime, won't so much as dent it. Faith, to me, means realising (possibly gradually) that liberation is an urgent matter, over and above all else, though not necessarily to the exclusion of all else - with sufficient training, it is possible to turn mundane tasks into practice.

When faith is established, Dhamma practice is no longer an option or a choice, it just happens.

_/|\_
chownah
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Re: Faith (Saddha) In Theravada

Post by chownah »

Seems like the buddha taught that some people are released through faith and some are released through discernment. I won't assert that one released by discernment does not require faith of any sort....but....what is the difference in the faith idea as it applies to these two different paths?
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Ceisiwr
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Re: Faith (Saddha) In Theravada

Post by Ceisiwr »

Ben wrote:
clw_uk wrote:Evening everyone :smile:

I would like to start a discussion about the role of faith (saddha) within Theravada.

How do you understand Saddha?

Is it different from the concept of faith found within other religions, such as Christianity and Islam, or does it have the same function (or a similar one)?

:namaste:
Craig,
This has been discussed at length. You will find a range of perspectives if you search through our archives.
My view hasn't changed that faith plays a critical role in Theravāda Buddhism.
Kind regards,
Ben

Could this be merged into the older one mentioned above?

Thanks
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
SarathW
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Re: Faith (Saddha) In Theravada

Post by SarathW »

Moon landing for many of us a matter accepted on faith.
Only the astronauts who landed on the moon have the knowledge.
It is not something they take it on faith any more.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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Ceisiwr
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Re: Faith (Saddha) In Theravada

Post by Ceisiwr »

SarathW wrote:Moon landing for many of us a matter accepted on faith.
Only the astronauts who landed on the moon have the knowledge.
It is not something they take it on faith any more.

Very true. So is the belief that my alarm will go off tomorrow, or that the sun will rise tomorrow. If we accept Hume's view then even causality is an irrational belief that we take on faith.
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
SarathW
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Re: Faith (Saddha) In Theravada

Post by SarathW »

For me the present life model of Dependent Origination is the knowledge.
The past and the future model of the Dependent Origination is taken on faith.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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_anicca_
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Re: Faith (Saddha) In Theravada

Post by _anicca_ »

I'm going to have to agree with the others here and say that saddha is not blind faith.
It is confidence in the teachings that is developed as you see the fruits of them.
Faith gets a bad reputation in the United States, but I don't see (the "right" kind of) faith as a bad thing.
"A virtuous monk, Kotthita my friend, should attend in an appropriate way to the five clinging-aggregates as inconstant, stressful, a disease, a cancer, an arrow, painful, an affliction, alien, a dissolution, an emptiness, not-self."

:buddha1:

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SarathW
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Re: Faith (Saddha) In Theravada

Post by SarathW »

Is it different from the concept of faith found within other religions, such as Christianity and Islam, or does it have the same function (or a similar one)?
Great Dhamma talk in the Sinhala language on this subject.
It appears there are two types of Saddha in Theravada.
1)Amulika Saddha (blind faith)
2) Akaravati Saddha (faith by practicing and understanding)

The problem is many people believe their prayers were answered. Is this blind faith?

“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
justindesilva
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Re: Faith (Saddha) In Theravada

Post by justindesilva »

_anicca_ wrote: Wed Apr 27, 2016 10:29 pm I'm going to have to agree with the others here and say that saddha is not blind faith.
It is confidence in the teachings that is developed as you see the fruits of them.
Faith gets a bad reputation in the United States, but I don't see (the "right" kind of) faith as a bad thing.
sadda is a commitment felt to practise darma arrived by understanding darma. A buddhist with faith in darma will not fail to abide by darma through at least 5 precepts.
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