Faith in Buddhism

[LuisDantas]

Why?

You don't seem to have a lot of sympathy or respect for skepticism, from what I have seen.

 

[LuisDantas]

It would appear that you object to the idea that faith plays a part in Buddhism.

Some meanings of "faith" are part of human nature itself.

Others are drivel.

 

[Bunyip]

The term "faith" appears to be a good translation of the Sanskrit "sraddha".

Merriam-Webster defines "faith" as "strong belief or trust in someone or something."

Wikipedia defines "faith in Buddhism" (or sraddha) as "an initial acceptance of the Buddha's teaching prior to realising its truth for oneself. It is an important constituent element of all traditions of Buddhism, although the kind and nature of faith changes in the different schools. Other translations of saddhā/śraddhā include confidence and trust.[1] "

Merriam Webster has a different definition of 'faith' specific to the context of religion - you have mistaken it for the non religious meaning.

 

[Gambit]

You don't seem to have a lot of sympathy or respect for skepticism, from what I have seen.

I believe in appropriate skepticism. But I fail to see what relevance this has to the OP of this thread and my claim that there's faith in Buddhism.

 

[Bunyip]

I believe in appropriate skepticism. But I fail to see what relevance this has to the OP of this thread and my claim that there's faith in Buddhism.

Well in that it is not faith as it is defined in the context of religion - belief without evidence.

 

[Gambit]

Some meanings of "faith" are part of human nature itself.

Others are drivel.

The bottom line is that faith plays a pivotal role in traditional and historical Buddhism (contrary to objections of secular Buddhists).

 

[Gambit]

Merriam Webster has a different definition of 'faith' specific to the context of religion - you have mistaken it for the non religious meaning.

I gave the general definition which applies how faith is employed in all contexts.

 

[Bunyip]

I gave the general definition which applies how faith is employed in all contexts.

No, you missed the definition given for the religious context. You quoted Merriam Webster, the relevant definition is identified in 2.

 

[Bunyip]

Gambit

FYI, this is the Merriam entry on faith in the context of religion; 2. strong belief in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual conviction rather than proof.

"bereaved people who have shown supreme faith"

 

[Jumi]

It would appear that you object to the idea that faith plays a part in Buddhism.

It appears you don't know what you're talking about.

 

[Gambit]

It appears you don't know what you're talking about.

I documented my claim that faith plays a pivotal role in Buddhism (your personal objections not withstanding).

 

[Jumi]

I documented my claim that faith plays a pivotal role in Buddhism (your personal objections not withstanding).

You just used a bad article on wikipedia and think you know something based on it is what I have a problem with. Buddhism I have little interest in.

 

[Gambit]

You just used a bad article on wikipedia and think you know something based on it is what I have a problem with. Buddhism I have little interest in.

That explains why you have very little knowledge of it.

 

[Jumi]

Based on sources you find credible, we could be evenly matched.

 

[Gambit]

Based on sources you find credible, we could be evenly matched.

If you have little interest in Buddhism, then why are you participating in this thread?

 

[MonkeyFire]

It's a better approach that way Imo.

Faith is like having luggage that you use to carry around whatever you like with the hope the zipper is closed properly, so as nothing spills out.
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If Buddhism employed faith for understanding, then I suppose it's another venue by which the matter of faith settles well with practice then blows away with the dust upon realization.

If faith remains undifferentiated by which Buddhism is practiced, at least later on as understanding deepens, it's likely you won't get trapped by those definitions when people tout faith as being the/a precursor for Buddhist practice.


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Then again its when we let go of love or knowledge that we find faith. Both are important.

 

[LuisDantas]

The bottom line is that faith plays a pivotal role in traditional and historical Buddhism (contrary to objections of secular Buddhists).

No, fair person. The bottom line is instead that meanings matter and that stubborn opposition to secularism is foolish.

 

[LuisDantas]

I believe in appropriate skepticism. But I fail to see what relevance this has to the OP of this thread and my claim that there's faith in Buddhism.

Your meaning of "appropriate" is rather unproper.

 

[LuisDantas]

I gave the general definition

Thus ignoring the actual situation.

That is not acting in good faith, though, nor is it correct usage of a dictionary.

Sort of underscores the issue, come to think of it.

Are you a lawyer, perchance?

which applies how faith is employed in all contexts.

Now, that. That resides somewhere between unashamed wishful thinking and just lying.

 

[Jumi]

why are you participating in this thread?

You were so confident based on a bad article that I couldn't resist.