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Faith, Trust
Faith,
sometimes referred to as trust or confidence, is an essential part of
practicing the Buddha's Way.
Like other aspects of the Path, it needs to be continually cultivated
and brought to fruition.
Faith in what?
Faith in the practice itself, that this meditation and training leads to a realization of our Buddha Nature, and that the path to full enlightenment is open to all.
Faith in the Three Treasures or Refuges--Buddha, Dharma,
and Sangha.
The Buddha Treasure is the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, who embodies the Unborn Buddha Nature which is our own Heart.
The Dharma Treasure is the teaching which comes from the meditative life of the Buddhas and Ancestors.
The Sangha Treasure is the fellowship of disciples, monastic and lay, who practice the Way.
Also,
all Buddhist traditions have faith in the law of karma (cause and effect)
and faith in the Precepts as a way of working with that natural law in
order to prevent adding to the suffering of the world.
(Picture
of Statue
courtesy of Arts of
Asia magazine at
www.artsofasianet.com)
