The role of belief

Exploring Theravāda's connections to other paths - what can we learn from other traditions, religions and philosophies?
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Jaidyn
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The role of belief

Post by Jaidyn »

What role does belief play in Buddhism and is it different from the concept of faith. The goal of Buddhism is to finally and fully experience the reality and thereby se things as they are, but does belief play a role along the path? What do you as Buddhist believe in, if anything?
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Hanzze
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Re: The role of belief

Post by Hanzze »

Dear Jaidyn,

Maybe you like to give this a read, as it answers many questions in this regard: Faith In Awakening
Just that! *smile*
...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
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SDC
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Re: The role of belief

Post by SDC »

Jaidyn wrote:What do you as Buddhist believe in, if anything?
That awakening is possible and worth seeking.
“Life is swept along, short is the life span; no shelters exist for one who has reached old age. Seeing clearly this danger in death, a seeker of peace should drop the world’s bait.” SN 1.3
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ground
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Re: The role of belief

Post by ground »

Jaidyn wrote:What role does belief play in Buddhism and is it different from the concept of faith. The goal of Buddhism is to finally and fully experience the reality and thereby se things as they are, but does belief play a role along the path? What do you as Buddhist believe in, if anything?
Faith arises from belief and belief supports thoughts not connected to experience of the 5 senses. Both are the characteristics of religion and may foster focus of consciousness on the object of belief and faith thus entailing temporary removal of stress. So stress can be temporarily removed with any kind of religion
Last edited by ground on Tue Sep 25, 2012 2:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Hanzze
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Re: The role of belief

Post by Hanzze »

Do you believe that?
Just that! *smile*
...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
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ground
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Re: The role of belief

Post by ground »

Hanzze wrote:Do you believe that?
I do not take any kinds of words at face value, so what are you referring to with "that"? :sage:
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Hanzze
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Re: The role of belief

Post by Hanzze »

Yes, that is it's danger. We might grow faceless while developing such believes that it is possible to develope insight without the step of believe.
Just that! *smile*
...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
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ground
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Re: The role of belief

Post by ground »

Hanzze wrote:Yes, that is it's danger. We might grow faceless while developing such believes that it is possible to develope insight without the step of believe.
Belief is identification with and appropriation of the aggregates. Needless to say anything more about it. :sage:
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Hanzze
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Re: The role of belief

Post by Hanzze »

Yes, and there is no problem with it, if one is aware of it. We use that to come to insight. And when insight arises we make the step of believe again. Mr. Sati is the manager. The danger is just when one believes that he know. It is also called ignorance of ignorance or the heedless Mr. Asati. A self made prison for undcountable existences.

Things are not yet. There is still move, even useable into the right direction.

Believe is not, it is conditioned (-> sanna).
Just that! *smile*
...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
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ground
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Re: The role of belief

Post by ground »

Hanzze wrote:Yes, and there is no problem with it, if one is aware of it.
As long as there is the consciousness "I am aware" this is the "problem".
Hanzze wrote: The danger is just when one believes that he know. It is also called ignorance of ignorance or the heedless Mr. Asati. A self made prison for undcountable existences.
There is nobody that knows if there is knowing. :sage:
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Hanzze
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Re: The role of belief

Post by Hanzze »

Maybe just some balance on the account of the electricity supplier that makes one still believe such things.

We believe that electricity exists, because the electric company keeps sending us bills for it, but we cannot figure out how it travels inside wires.

Do you think that such people would even understand how dependent origination works?
Just that! *smile*
...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
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