FYI,
Faith is one of the Eleven
Wholesome Dharmas of the One Hundred Dharmas (see entry for
latter); it is also one of the Five Faculties (faith, vigor,
mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom).
"Faith is necessary in whatever it
is one does. One needs to have a sense of belief, an attitude of
faith. First, one needs to have faith in oneself. What kind of
faith? One needs to have faith that one certainly can become a
Buddha. One has to believe that there is no difference between the
Buddha and oneself. Yet that lack of difference is in one's
Buddha-nature. Cultivation is still required in order to actually
become a Buddha. If one cultivates, one will become a Buddha. In
order to do so, one must have an initial belief in this
principle.
"Second, not only is it necessary
to believe that one can become a Buddha oneself, but also to
believe that all people can become Buddhas. Moreover, not only can
all people become Buddhas, one should believe that all living
beings have the Buddha-nature and are capable of becoming Buddhas.
If one has that kind of faith, then one should begin by following
the rules oneself. To follow the rules means to hold the moral
precepts. First one holds the precepts, and then one can become a
Buddha. One does it oneself and also encourages others to do so as
well.
"Faith must be solid, like a rock,
firm and sturdy. Faith shouldn't be like a pile of ashes which
seems to have some substance to it but which crumbles at the
slightest disturbance. Don't be too soft. One's faith must be
strong and solid." (HD 44 45)
THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH
"Faith is the foundation of
cultivation of the Way and the mother of merit and virtue, because
it is capable of nourishing wholesome roots. The Buddhadharma is
like a vast sea; only by faith can it be entered. Therefore, the
single word 'faith' is the essence of escape from birth and death
and is the wonderful means for returning to the source. It is a
precious raft on the stream of affliction, a torch in the dark cave
of ignorance, and a guide who leads us out of the path of
confusion. It is a compass for those floundering in the waves on
the sea of suffering, and a sagely teacher for those in the Three
Paths (Arhat, Pratyekabuddha, and Bodhisattva) and Eight
Difficulties ( ). It is the origin of awakening for the Four Kinds
of Creatures born (from wombs, eggs, moisture, and transformation)
within the Six Paths (see entry). Faith cannot be ignored. An
author of ancient times said, 'If a man has no faith, I do not know
what can be made of him.'
"Once two bhikshus were
travelling to see Shakyamuni Buddha, the World-Honored One. As they
travelled they became extremely thirsty but could not find any
water. As they walked they happened upon a human skull containing
water in which some small bugs were swimming, enjoying themselves
tremendously. One of the bhikshus picked up the water and
offered some to his companion. The companion replied, 'This water
contains bugs, and the moral precepts do not permit drinking such
water. I would rather die of thirst than to violate the precepts in
order to stay alive.' After this incident he died of
thirst.
"When the bhikshu who had
drunk the water reached the place where the Buddha was residing, he
bowed and said to the Lord, 'Your disciple was travelling in the
company of another bhikshu who perished of thirst on the
road. I hope the Buddha will be compassionate and rescue
him.'
"The Buddha said to the
bhikshu who had drunk the water, 'Because he stringently
maintained the moral precepts and was so firm in his faith that he
would not violate them even in the face of death, he received the
awesome power of the Buddhas and arrived here before you. He has
already seen the Buddha and heard the Dharma before you. He is a
bhikshu who has true faith in the
precepts." (WM 53-54; also S42 75-76)
Hymn of Faith
Faith is the source of the
Way;
Faith is the mother of merit and
virtue.
As they arise by faith,
All wholesome dharmas must by
faith be nurtured.
Faith cuts the tangled web of
doubt,
Escaping loves delusive
flow,
And opens wide to reveal the true
and unsurpassed Nirvana's road.
Faith has no stain or
mar,
Bringing the turbid mind
purification,
Eradicating pride,
Of all respect and reverence the
foundation.
Within the Dharma
Treasury
faith's jewel outshines the
fairest gold;
Hence every conduct our hands by
faith made pure receive and surely hold.
Faith is the healing
source
By which our faculties are
cleansed and quickened. Nothing can turn its force,
The solid power of faith cannot be
broken.
And when by faith
forever
From all affliction we
depart,
The Buddha's merit will thus
become the sole devotion of our hearts.
With faith the mind's
unmoved,
Free from attachment to
conditioned arising;
Disasters far removed,
In the tranquility of faith
abiding.
The bliss of faith
victorious!
Among the conducts of all
worlds,
This faith alone is the one most
rare and precious wish-fulfilling pearl.
Profoundly we believe:
Trusting the Buddhas and the
Buddhas' Dharma,
Treading the
Bodhi-Path,
Forever followed by all true
disciples.
And to the Great
Enlightenment
Our thoughts are joyfully
inclined:
The Bodhisattvas with this deep
heart of faith produce the Bodhi-Mind!
(RH 235)
1) Ch. syin , 2) Skt.
sraddha, (prasada), 3) Pali saddha, 4)
Alternate Translations: belief.
http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Buddhism/BuddhistDict/BDF.html
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