Prepared by
John D. Hughes, Dip.App.Chem., T.T.T.C., GDAIE,
Anita Hughes, RN Div.1,
Evelin Halls, Dip.For.Lang.Corres.
Pennie White, B.A. Dip.Ed.
Abhidhamma Class No. 17, 15 October 2002
saddha
saddha (Pali) = faith, confidence
Last week we listed the 25 sobhana cetasika (beautiful mental concomitants, wholesome cetasika). Over the next 25 weeks we will study each of the 25 sobhana cetasika in depth. Today we will start with the first sobhana cetasika, saddha.
The New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary defines faith as confidence, reliance, belief especially without evidence or proof; belief based on testimony or authority; what is or should be believed; a system of firmly-held beliefs or principles; a religion, belief in the doctrines of a religion, especially such as affects character and conduct; the spiritual apprehension of divine truth or intangible realities. Confidence is defined as firm trust, reliance, faith; source of trust; assured expectation; the state of feeling certain.
If we look we don’t know. We can look at a bunch of flowers and not know how many flowers there are. Today we are not talking about looking at saddha, we are talking about knowing saddha. If we don’t know directly we don’t know. If we don’t know we cannot practise with certainty (saddha) and we are not practicing.
There is only one word for “know” in English. In the French language, there are two words for knowing: connaitre and savoir. Connaitre means to know, to be acquainted with; to be aware of. Savoir means to know; to understand. Savoir is a higher level of knowing than connaitre, it is the knowing we are talking about today.
The German language also has two words for knowing: wissen and erkennen. Wissen is often used in colloquial language and mostly does not necessarily mean the person really knows. However, erkennen means that the person knows with certainty. In English there is no word that expresses this.
There are four types of persons who should be recognised as foes, namely; a rapacious (grasping; excessively or violently greedy) person, a person of words not of deeds, a flatterer, and a fellow waster. None of these four types of persons can possibly have confidence or faith. If you spend your day with persons who have no faith you will become like them. If you spend your days mixing with the wise you will end up wise with faith.
1The whole of your Buddha Dhamma practice depends on the first cetasika (saddha) being intact and known by you. If it fades even for a second you have lost the Buddha path because you will lose refuge quickly. The Triple Gem Refuge without saddha is a false consciousness called doubt. Once you are in doubt you are in ignorance.
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3If you have uddhacca (unrest, restlessness, distraction, flurry) or vicikiccha (sceptical doubt, perplexity), you do not have saddha. You cannot have a little saddha just like you cannot be a little pregnant. Saddha and uddhacca or vicikiccha are mutually exclusive. (Refer to Abhidhamma lesson 15 1).
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5To further define uddhacca we have included the New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary definition of the English translations: Unrest means disturb, trouble. Restless means unable to rest; deprived of rest; finding no rest; uneasy in mind or spirit; fidgety; averse to being quiet or settled; constantly in motion; continually operating, never ceasing or pausing. Distraction means the action of drawing or forcing apart; forcible disruption; severance; division; separation; removal; dispersal. Flurry: a sudden commotion or excitement; nervous agitation or hurry; a sudden burst of activity.
To further define vicikiccha, the definitions of the English translations in the New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary are: Scepticism: the doctrine of the sceptics, Pyrrhonism; the opinion that real knowledge of any kind is unattainable; a sceptical attitude in relation to a particular branch of knowledge; doubt as to the truth of some assertion or apparent fact; mistrustfulness, doubting disposition. Doubt: uncertainty as to the truth or reality of something or as to the wisdom of a course of action; occasion or room for uncertainty; an inclination to disbelieve or hesitate; a reason to disbelieve or hesitate, a reservation. Perplexity: inability to deal with or understand a thing owing to its intricate nature; confusion, bewilderment.
Do not be sado-masochistic.
There is no secrecy in Buddha Dhamma. “In one of his discourses, the Buddha says: three things are characterised by secrecy: love affairs, priestly wisdom and all aberrations from the path of truth. Women who are in love; priests who claim to be in possession of special revelation; (and) all those who stray from the path of truth, seek secrecy and shun publicity.” (Dr. Dipak Kumer Barua, p. 259).
We do not shun publicity about what we say. We do not hold secret any part of Abhidhamma because we are most certain that there is no doubt about the classifications listed in Abhidhamma texts. Something that is not held secret can be clearly examined without further references.
Likewise three things shine before the world and cannot be hidden... the moon... ; the sun and the truth claimed by the Tathagata illumined the world and cannot be hidden... there is no secrecy about them.
References:
Dr. Mehm Tin Mon, “The Essence of Buddha Abhidhamma”, Mehm Tay Zar Mon, Yangon, 1995.
Dr. Dipak Kumer Barua, “Buddhism and Modern Way of Life”, The Maha Bodhi, October - December 1979, Volume 87, B.E. 2523, Number 10-12, p. 259.
Brown, Lesley (Ed.), “The New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary”, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1993.
Hugo’s Pocket Dictionary French-English and English-French, Hugo’s Language Institute, London, England, no date.