Life and Faith
Every religion advises people to have faith, but what exactly should they believe in? The ancients said: There is a way and it is right. Good birds also know how to choose trees to roost on, and loyal ministers also know how to serve with a clear ruler. Not to mention that faith also requires choosing good objects. So, what conditions should the object of our faith meet? This issue cannot but be discussed.
(1) Faith does exist
When we choose an object of faith, we should examine whether it really exists. For example, if we choose to believe in Buddhism, the leader of Buddhism, Sakyamuni Buddha, does exist. The Buddha has the country where he was born, the year, month and day of his birth, the parents who raised him, and he has brothers and relatives. He also has records of his journey as a monk, practice, and enlightenment. The Buddha's deeds are clearly recorded in history. Sakyamuni Buddha is not a god who was made up out of thin air; nor is he a god who comes and goes without a trace. In other words, the objects we Buddhists believe in can stand the test of time in history. So, what are we to believe in? We must believe in objects that actually exist.
(2) Believe in those with high moral standards
When we make friends, we must make friends with people of high moral character and holy personality, because they can guide us to be good. The ancients said: "There is no friend." Not as good as oneself." He also said: "When water flows down, people climb up." If the object of our faith requires us to kill and harm others, then believing in him will not only be unhelpful, but also harmful. We must understand, does the person I believe in have pure moral character? Is his mercy sufficient? Is his personality perfect? If he has it, then such an object is worthy of our faith and conversion. Sakyamuni Buddha is an awakened person with perfect merits and deeds. He possesses the three virtues of wisdom, judgment, and kindness. His morality is perfect and pure. Following this human and heavenly teacher can make our morality nobler and improve our personality. More perfect.
(3) Those with strong faith
We need a crutch as a pillar to climb mountains, and we also need a strong crutch to be our support in life. Only when we receive the guidance of our knowledgeable and capable teachers from an early age can we gradually avoid childishness; the object of our faith must also be a great and virtuous teacher who can save and enlighten others to guide us to the right path. "Buddha's Legacy Sutra" says: "I am like a good guide, leading people on a good path; I am like a good doctor, responding to illnesses and giving medicine." If you believe in the guidance of a good guide, you can walk on a bright road and reach your destination; believe in a good doctor For diagnosis and treatment, Agata medicine can be obtained to treat troublesome diseases. Why are the benevolent sages, heroes and ordinary people of all ages willing to accept his leadership? Mainly because of his strong ability. The lion can be the king of beasts, and the roc can be the strongest among birds, both because they have special abilities. The same is true for people. If the object of faith has strong power and seems to have a backing in life, we can only be happy because of it.
(4) Those who believe in pure precepts and conduct pure conduct
All actions of people with pure precepts and conduct are in line with the precepts. If we obey them, our words and deeds will naturally be in line with the right path and will not be derailed. If the person we believe in behaves impurely, it is like a car that violates traffic rules. An accident may occur at any time, and it would be too dangerous for us to follow him. The object of our faith, the great Buddha, is an enlightened being with the most stringent and pure precepts. He not only maintains strict self-discipline, but also formulates many precepts to guide the body and mind of his disciples. It is recorded in the scriptures: One of the disciples of the Buddha begged the owner of the orchard to beg fruits. The owner asked him to pick them himself. The venerable replied: "The Buddha's precepts say that trees taller than a person cannot be climbed." The owner of the garden asked him to pick them himself. Asking him to shake the fruit down with his hands, he added, "Buddha's precepts say you are not allowed to shake the tree to get the fruit." In order to show his sincerity, the owner of the garden had no choice but to climb down from the branches and ask him to pick it. Knowing that, he still insisted: "Buddha's precepts say you are not allowed to take the fruit by yourself." The owner of the garden had no choice but to hold the fruit in both hands and offer it to him and said, "I will support you!" This story illustrates "taking without giving". As for violating the precepts, the disciples of the Buddha would rather not bear the fruit in order to adhere to the precepts. In modern terms, it is illegal to take anything from others without their consent, even a needle or thread. If everyone could abide by it, there would be no robbery or theft in society.
However, faith should not be so rash. Just because of human feelings or selfishness cannot be regarded as true faith. Therefore, we must abandon the superstitions of disguised cults and choose the true Buddhist faith.
(2) From the belief in destiny to the belief in autonomy
Most people usually believe in destiny, and everything comes under the arrangement of heaven. Food is given to us by God; benefits are obtained from God. Of course, there is nothing sinful about this kind of thinking. It’s just that you give your sovereignty to God unconditionally and let God be the master and rule us. People who don’t know that they have sovereignty and can rule over themselves, He is truly the most stupid and pitiable person in the world. Why should a person's happiness in life, happiness in life, spiritual joy, and bright future be controlled and bestowed by gods? Buddhism teaches that "everyone has Buddha nature", which is to enhance the sovereignty of each of us. Let us be alert to the fact that we can control everything about ourselves. Dark things can be changed into light; miserable things can be turned into happiness; rough things can be paved into a broad road of life. To believe in Buddhism, to put it more clearly, is to believe in oneself. Isn’t it more meaningful to create everything with your own hands than to rely on the control of gods?
(3) From the belief in human feelings to the belief in righteous faith
There are many people who often go to this temple to socialize or go to that temple, and in the end they are accepted by many people. Surrounded by favors, one cannot choose true faith. In fact, faith should be based on the law and not on people. The Buddha said that there are "four reliances", namely, 1. "Relying on the Dharma and not on others": People who believe in Buddhism should seek "faith, understanding, practice and realization" based on the Buddha's teachings, and should not give up because of the merits of others (the person who teaches the Dharma). Belief; or just be a believer in a certain temple or a certain monk, and ignore the entire Buddhist dharma.
2. "Rely on wisdom rather than knowledge": Wisdom is intelligence, like bright light, you can see the true face; consciousness is difference and distinction. Only those who study Buddhism can obtain the true essence of Buddhism by pursuing Buddhism without discriminating knowledge; those who learn Buddhism should use their wisdom to internally realize the truth in order to gain liberation.
3. "Rely on meaning rather than words": People who believe in Buddhism should understand Buddhism from the perspective of meaning and should not scrutinize or care about language.
4. "Relying on righteousness but not relying on righteousness": Buddhism without meaning is just a convenient way to persuade new believers or people with shallow foundations; to believe in the truth, you should believe in the ultimate one-way path to liberation.
The "Four Reliances" are principles that every believer in Buddhism should know and implement them practically.
(4) From the faith of the temple to the faith of the Sangha
We believe in Buddhism. We should not just be believers in one temple, but should be believers in the entire Buddhist Sangha; To be a disciple of a certain person, you should be a disciple of the entire Sangha. As a Buddhist, you should protect any monastery; you should help the Sangha with all your heart in whatever matters you can do, and you should care for the Sangha as much as you care for your own home. There are many temples all over the province and there are many believers. It is often seen that some lay believers walk between each temple and compare the enthusiasm of the monks towards them. Some even go so far as to stir up trouble and cause disharmony between temples. This kind of This is not the behavior that a true Buddhist should do. Believing in the Sangha and protecting the Sangha are the responsibilities of Buddhist disciples.
(5) From messy beliefs to pure beliefs
Today’s beliefs are too complicated, and no matter what the object of worship is, they will burn incense here and worship there. In fact, you cannot obtain the benefits of faith if you have mixed beliefs. Therefore, we should not believe in miscellaneous beliefs, such as this or that. If we cannot concentrate, we will not get help when we are really in difficulty. It is better to turn our body and mind to the Three Jewels and let the Three Jewels unify our beliefs. We don’t have to bow to gods when we see them or burn incense in temples. We should purify our beliefs.
Welcome to learn about orthodox Buddhism.
If you want to learn Buddhism, please read Master Shengyan’s "Buddhism with Authentic Faith" and "Questions on Learning Buddhism". Easy to understand.