Faith plays a much smaller role in Buddhism ... - Dhamma by Ajahn Jayasāro
Faith plays a much smaller role in Buddhism than in other religions. It is like the rocket required by a spacecraft to pull free of the gravitational pull of the earth. Once it has served its purpose it falls away.
The objects of faith in Buddhism are verifiable by every Buddhist. They should all be put to the test. These include the following principles.
- All mental suffering is conditioned by 'defilements' such as greed, anger, hatred, jealousy, confusion etc.
- Defilements are all impermanent, conditioned phenomena.
- All defilements can be completely eliminated by practice of the Eightfold Path.
- Elimination of defilements results in profound inner peace and the perfection of wisdom and compassion.
- Freedom from defilement is the greatest possible human achievement.
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