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Do not fill this in! === Buddhism === {{Main|Faith in Buddhism}} Faith in Buddhism ({{transliteration|pi|saddhā}}, {{transliteration|sa|śraddhā}}) refers to a serene commitment to the practice of the Buddha's teaching and trust in enlightened or highly developed beings, such as [[Buddha (title)|Buddhas]] or ''[[bodhisattvas]]'' (those aiming to become a Buddha).<ref name="Gomez 2004">{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Gómez|first1=Luis O.|editor1-last=Buswell|editor1-first=Robert E.|editor1-link=Robert Buswell Jr.|title=Faith|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Buddhism|date=2004|publisher=Macmillan Reference USA, [[Thomson Gale]]|location=New York [u.a.]|isbn=0-02-865720-9|url=http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Encyclopedia%20of%20Buddhism_2%20Vols_%20Buswell.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912051354/http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Encyclopedia%20of%20Buddhism_2%20Vols_%20Buswell.pdf|archive-date=September 12, 2015|pages=277–9}}</ref><ref name=Jayatilleke1963>{{Citation|url=http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/early%20buddhist%20theory%20of%20knowledge_jayatilleke.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911084454/http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Early%20Buddhist%20Theory%20of%20Knowledge_Jayatilleke.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-11 |last1=Jayatilleke|first1=K.N.|author-link1=K.N. Jayatilleke|title=Early Buddhist theory of knowledge|date=1963|publisher=[[George Allen & Unwin]]|isbn=1-134-54287-9}}</ref>{{rp|388–89}} Buddhists usually recognize multiple objects of faith, but many are especially devoted to one particular object of faith, such as one particular Buddha.<ref name="Gomez 2004" /><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Kinnard|first1=Jacob N.|editor1-last=Buswell|editor1-first=Robert E.|editor1-link=Robert Buswell Jr.|title=Worship|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Buddhism|date=2004|publisher=Macmillan Reference USA, [[Thomson Gale]]|location=New York [u.a.]|isbn=0-02-865720-9|url=http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Encyclopedia%20of%20Buddhism_2%20Vols_%20Buswell.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912051354/http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Encyclopedia%20of%20Buddhism_2%20Vols_%20Buswell.pdf|archive-date=September 12, 2015|page=907}}</ref>{{r|Jayatilleke1963|pages=386, 396–7}} In [[Pre-sectarian Buddhism|early Buddhism]], faith was focused on the [[Refuge in Buddhism|Three Jewels]] or Refuges, namely, [[Gautama Buddha]], his teaching (the ''[[Dharma (Buddhism)|Dhamma]]''), and the community of spiritually developed followers, or the [[Monasticism|monastic community]] seeking enlightenment (the ''[[Sangha]]''). Although offerings to the monastic community were valued highest, early Buddhism did not morally condemn peaceful offerings to [[deva (Buddhism)|deities]].<ref name=Lamotte1988>{{Citation|url=http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/History%20of%20Indian%20Buddhism_Lamotte.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215111618/http://ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/History%20of%20Indian%20Buddhism_Lamotte.pdf |archive-date=2015-02-15 |last1=Lamotte|first1=Etienne|author-link1=Etienne Lamotte|translator-first=Sara|translator-last=Webb-Boin|title=Histoire du Bouddhisme Indien, des origines à l'ère Śaka|language=fr|trans-title=History of Indian Buddhism: from the origins to the Saka era|date=1988|publisher=[[Université catholique de Louvain]], Institut orientaliste|location=Louvain-la-Neuve|isbn=90-6831-100-X}} </ref>{{rp|74–5, 81}} A faithful devotee was called [[upasaka and Upasika|''upāsaka'' or ''upāsika'']], for which no formal declaration was required.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Tremblay|first1=Xavier|editor1-last=Heirman|editor1-first=Ann|editor2-last=Bumbacher|editor2-first=Stephan Peter|encyclopedia=The spread of Buddhism|title=The spread of Buddhism in Serindia|date=2007|publisher=[[Brill Publishers]]|location=Leiden|isbn=978-90-04-15830-6|edition=online|page=87}}</ref> In early Buddhism, personal verification was valued highest in attaining the truth, and sacred scriptures, reason, or faith in a teacher were considered less valuable sources of authority.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Fuller|first1=Paul|title=The notion of diṭṭhi in Theravāda Buddhism: the point of view|date=2004|publisher=[[RoutledgeCurzon]]|location=London|isbn=0-203-01043-4|page=36}}{{dead link|date=February 2018}}</ref> As important as faith was, it was a mere initial step to the path to [[Paññā|wisdom]] and [[enlightenment (Buddhism)|enlightenment]], and was obsolete or redefined at the final stage of that path.{{r|Lamotte1988|pages=49–50}}{{r|Jayatilleke1963|pages=384, 396–7}} While [[faith in Buddhism]] does not imply "blind faith", Buddhist practice nevertheless requires a degree of trust, primarily in the spiritual attainment of [[Gautama Buddha]]. Faith in Buddhism can still be described as faith in the Three Jewels (the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha). It is intended to lead to the goal of enlightenment, or ''[[bodhi]]'', and ''[[Nirvana]]''. Volitionally, faith implies a resolute and courageous act of will. It combines the steadfast resolution that one will do a thing with the self-confidence that one can do it.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Way of Wisdom: The Five Spiritual Faculties|first=Edward|last=Conze|author-link=Edward Conze|year=1993|url=https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/conze/wheel065.html|publisher=[[Buddhist Publication Society]]|isbn=978-955-24-0110-7|access-date=2009-01-19|archive-date=2008-12-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223234330/http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/conze/wheel065.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the later stratum of Buddhist history, especially [[Mahāyāna Buddhism]], faith was given a much more important role.<ref name=Harvey2013>{{Citation|last1=Harvey|first1=Peter|author-link1=Peter Harvey|title=An introduction to Buddhism: teachings, history and practices|date=2013|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|location=New York|isbn=978-0-521-85942-4|edition=2nd|url=https://toleratedindividuality.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/an-introduction-to-buddhism-teachings-history-and-practices.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220094935/https://toleratedindividuality.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/an-introduction-to-buddhism-teachings-history-and-practices.pdf |archive-date=2017-02-20 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|172}}<ref>{{cite book|last1=Leaman|first1=Oliver|author-link=Oliver Leaman|url=http://www.mohamedrabeea.com/books/book1_9036.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515122643/http://mohamedrabeea.com/books/book1_9036.pdf|archive-date=2015-05-15|title=Eastern philosophy: key readings|date=2000|publisher=[[Routledge]]|location=London [u.a.]|isbn=0-415-17357-4|page=212}}</ref> The concept of the [[Buddha Nature]] was developed, as devotion to Buddhas and ''bodhisattvas'' residing in [[Pure Land]]s became commonplace.<ref>{{multiref2 |1={{cite encyclopedia|last1=Bielefeldt|first1=Carl|editor1-last=Buswell|editor1-first=Robert E.|editor1-link=Robert Buswell Jr.|title=Japan|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Buddhism|date=2004|publisher=Macmillan Reference USA, [[Thomson Gale]]|location=New York [u.a.]|isbn=0-02-865720-9|url=http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Encyclopedia%20of%20Buddhism_2%20Vols_%20Buswell.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912051354/http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Encyclopedia%20of%20Buddhism_2%20Vols_%20Buswell.pdf|archive-date=September 12, 2015|pages=389–90}} |2={{cite encyclopedia|last1=Reynolds|first1=Frank E.|last2=Hallisey|first2=Charles|author-link2=Charles Hallisey|editor1-last=Jones|editor1-first=Lindsay|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of religion|title=Buddha|date=1987|publisher=[[Thomson Gale]]|location=Detroit|isbn=0-02-865997-X|edition=2nd|url=https://www.politicalavenue.com/PDF/ENCYCLOPEDIAS/The%20Gale%20Encyclopedia%20of%20Religion%202nd%20Ed%20Vol.%202.pdf|volume=2|page=1068|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302073830/https://www.politicalavenue.com/PDF/ENCYCLOPEDIAS/The%20Gale%20Encyclopedia%20of%20Religion%202nd%20Ed%20Vol.%202.pdf|archive-date=2017-03-02}} }}</ref> With the arising of the cult of the [[Lotus Sūtra]], faith gained a central role in Buddhist practice,<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Shields|first1=James Mark|editor1-last=Emmanuel|editor1-first=Steven M.|encyclopedia=A companion to Buddhist philosophy|title=Political Interpretations of the ''Lotus Sūtra''|date=2013|publisher=[[Wiley-Blackwell]]|location=Chichester, West Sussex|isbn=978-0-470-65877-2|url=http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/A%20Companion%20to%20Buddhist%20Philosophy_Emmanuel.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316084217/http://ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/A%20Companion%20to%20Buddhist%20Philosophy_Emmanuel.pdf|archive-date=March 16, 2015|pages=512, 514}}</ref> which was further amplified with the development of devotion to the [[Amitabha Buddha]] in [[Pure Land Buddhism]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|editor-last1=Cheng|editor-first1=Linsun|editor-last2=Brown|editor-first2=Kerry|last=Hsieh|first=Ding-hwa|encyclopedia=Berkshire encyclopedia of China|title=Buddhism, Pure Land|date=2009|publisher=[[Berkshire Publishing Group]]|location=Great Barrington, MA|isbn=978-0-9770159-4-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0_Z2AQAACAAJ|pages=236–7}}</ref><ref name=Green2013>{{Citation|last1=Green|first1=Ronald S.|editor1-last=Emmanuel|editor1-first=Steven M.|encyclopedia=A companion to Buddhist philosophy|title=East Asian Buddhism|date=2013|publisher=[[Wiley-Blackwell]]|location=Chichester, West Sussex|isbn=978-0-470-65877-2|url=http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/A%20Companion%20to%20Buddhist%20Philosophy_Emmanuel.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316084217/http://ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/A%20Companion%20to%20Buddhist%20Philosophy_Emmanuel.pdf|archive-date=March 16, 2015}}</ref>{{rp|123}} In the Japanese form of Pure Land Buddhism, under the teachers [[Hōnen]] and [[Shinran]], only [[shinjin|entrusting faith]] toward the Amitabha Buddha was believed to be a fruitful form of practice, as the practice of celibacy, morality, and other Buddhist disciplines were dismissed as no longer effective in this day and age, or as contradicting the virtue of faith.{{r|Green2013|pages=122–3}}{{t|Harvey2013|pages=230, 255}}<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Hudson|first1=Clarke|editor1-last=Jones|editor1-first=Lindsay|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of religion|title=Buddhist meditation: East Asian Buddhist meditation|date=2005|publisher=[[Thomson Gale]]|location=Detroit|isbn=0-02-865997-X|edition=2nd|url=https://www.politicalavenue.com/PDF/ENCYCLOPEDIAS/The%20Gale%20Encyclopedia%20of%20Religion%202nd%20Ed%20Vol.%202.pdf|volume=2|page=1294|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302073830/https://www.politicalavenue.com/PDF/ENCYCLOPEDIAS/The%20Gale%20Encyclopedia%20of%20Religion%202nd%20Ed%20Vol.%202.pdf|archive-date=2017-03-02}}</ref> Faith was defined as a state similar to enlightenment, with a sense of self-negation and humility.<ref>{{multiref2 |1={{cite book|last1=Conze|first1=Edward|author-link1=Edward Conze|title=Buddhism, its essence and development|date=2003|orig-date=1951|publisher=[[Dover Publications]]|location=Mineola, N.Y.|isbn=0-486-43095-2|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/86358877/Buddhism-Its-Essence-and-Development-Edward-Conze|page=158|access-date=2017-11-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122132949/https://www.scribd.com/document/86358877/Buddhism-Its-Essence-and-Development-Edward-Conze|archive-date=2017-11-22}} |2={{cite book|last1=Dobbins|first1=James C.|author-link1=James C. Dobbins|title=Jodo Shinshu: Shin Buddhism in medieval Japan|date=2002|publisher=[[University of Hawaii Press]]|location=Honolulu|isbn=0-8248-2620-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xb3BImNUdRAC|pages=34–5}} }}</ref> Thus, the role of faith increased throughout Buddhist history. However, from the nineteenth century onward, [[Buddhist modernism]] in countries like Sri Lanka and Japan, and also in the West, has downplayed and criticized the role of faith in Buddhism. Faith in Buddhism still has a role in modern Asia and the West but is understood and defined differently than in traditional interpretations.{{r|Harvey2013|pages=378, 429, 444}}<ref>{{multiref2 |1={{cite book|last1=Gombrich|first1=Richard F.|author-link1=Richard F. Gombrich|title=Theravāda Buddhism: a social history from ancient Benares to modern Colombo|url=https://discourse.suttacentral.net/uploads/default/original/2X/d/d5fea775dea49f4d9b780f0e88a40f862bfb1356.pdf|date=2006|publisher=[[Routledge]]|location=London [u.a.]|isbn=0-415-36508-2|edition=2nd|pages=196–7|access-date=2017-11-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117004527/https://discourse.suttacentral.net/uploads/default/original/2X/d/d5fea775dea49f4d9b780f0e88a40f862bfb1356.pdf|archive-date=2017-11-17}} |2={{cite encyclopedia|last1=Ahn|first1=Juhn|editor1-last=Buswell|editor1-first=Robert E.|editor1-link=Robert Buswell Jr.|title=Popular conceptions of Zen|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Buddhism|date=2004|publisher=Macmillan Reference USA, [[Thomson Gale]]|location=New York [u.a.]|isbn=0-02-865720-9|url=http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Encyclopedia%20of%20Buddhism_2%20Vols_%20Buswell.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912051354/http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Encyclopedia%20of%20Buddhism_2%20Vols_%20Buswell.pdf|archive-date=September 12, 2015|page=924}} }}</ref> Within the [[Dalit Buddhist Movement]] communities, taking [[Refuge in Buddhism|refuge]] is defined not only as a religious, but also a political choice.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dore|first1=Bhavya|title=Rising caste-related violence pushes many Indians to new faith|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/houston-belief/article/Rising-caste-related-violence-pushes-many-Indians-9523647.php|access-date=23 September 2017|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|agency=[[Hearst Newspapers]]|publisher=[[Religion News Service]]|date=1 October 2016|archive-date=24 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924045746/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/houston-belief/article/Rising-caste-related-violence-pushes-many-Indians-9523647.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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