Achema - Saddha

Confidence born out of conviction

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Dhamma,

Just to mention "I am a Buddhist" or "I believe in Buddhism" doesn't mean that you've  experienced and understood it.

Almost all religions are built on faith, rather "blind' faith it would seem.

In Gotama Buddha teaching, the emphasis is put on "Experience", "Seeing", "Knowing", "Understanding" and not on faith or belief.

The question of belief arises when there is no seeing and no experience. Once you can experience it or seeing it, the question of belief disappears.

i.e. if someone tells you that he has 50 cents coin in his folded palm, the question of belief arises due to you do not see it yourself. But when he unclenches his fist and shows you the 50 cents coin, then you see it for yourself, and the question of belief does not arise.

This is one of the qualities of the Dhamma, which we name it as 'ehi-passika'. Which invites you to 'come and see' and "not to come and believe".

Achema – Malaysia 2004
Dharma - Direct