RE: Belief and Faith

[Guest guest]

>

> But at the same time the experience as per TRADITIONS From a GURU

> is what that distinguishes between a BELIEF and FAITH, which is

> the subject matter of this mail.

>

 

It will be easier to handle this matter with the original sanskrit word and

look for precise definition from the scriptures and saints. The word

"shraddha" is more than faith. And the word faith is understood differently

in English by different cultures and commonly for most people, faith is a

firm or deep belief*.

 

Going back to shraddhaa, it is defined quite nicely in vivekachuuDamaNiH by

our aachaarya.

 

shaastrasya guru vaakyasya satya-buddhi-avadhaaraNam |

saa shraddha kathita sadbhiH yayaa vastu upalabhyate ||**

 

shraddha is a firm conviction or certainity that shastra-s and instructions

of guru is true, this is view of wise ones. This shraddha will lead to

brahma jnAnam.

 

There is another aspect built into shraddha -- that is -- it is ALWAYS

associated with adherence to that truth. This aspect is clearly brought out

by shraddhaa suuktam. The person who has shraddha is not only certain that

it is true, but also adheres to it. This makes a sea of difference.

 

Ravi

 

 

Footnotes:

-----------

 

** Regarding the verse:

a) brahma jnAnam is known as vastu tantram as it is not dependent on chitta

or a person's effort. It is an integral knowledge and that does not change.

This a very complex point. Pls refer to brahmasutra bhashhya of our

aachaarya.

 

b) shradhavaan labhate jnanam

 

c) aNNa translated buddhi avadhaaraNam in tamil as buddhi nichchayam. The

english translation I have translates it as firm conviction or ascertainity.

The key is, it is not a mental modification that comes out reasoning (as Sri

Ganapathy correctly pointed out).

 

* M-w.com definition of Faith:

 

1 a : allegiance to duty or a person : LOYALTY b (1) : fidelity to one's

promises (2) : sincerity of intentions

2 a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2) : belief in the

traditional doctrines of a religion b (1) : firm belief in something for

which there is no proof (2) : complete trust

3 : something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially

: a system of religious beliefs