|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
śraddhā
śraddhā (Skt,; Pāli, saddhā). An attitude of faith, trust, or confidence, especially in the Buddha and his teachings. Faith is a prerequisite for embarking on the Eightfold Path, but it must be tempered by critical reflection and tested against one's own experience. In general, there is no doctrine of ‘salvation by faith’ in Buddhism, and blind faith is not regarded as a virtue: instead each person must cultivate insight and understanding (prajñā) into the Four Noble Truths. Some forms of Pure Land Buddhism, however, do teach that rebirth in a Pure Land (or heaven) can be obtained through faith alone.
|
|
|
Cite this article
DAMIEN KEOWN. "śraddhā." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. DAMIEN KEOWN. "śraddhā." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-raddh.html DAMIEN KEOWN. "śraddhā." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-raddh.html |
|
Śraddhā
Śraddhā (Skt.). ‘Faith’, personified as a goddess in Hinduism. She kindles in worshippers the faith to approach Agni (and other gods) without which offerings are in vain.
In Buddhism (Pāli, saddhā), śraddhā is devoted commitment to the Buddha and his dharma: it underlies as a prerequisite the first two stages of the Eightfold Path (aṣṭangika-mārga). In Mahāyāna, it is a fundamental trust, especially in the help of bodhisattvas. From its devotion to Amitābha (Amida), Pure Land is sometimes known as ‘The Way of Faith’. |
|
|
Cite this article
JOHN BOWKER. "Śraddhā." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN BOWKER. "Śraddhā." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-raddh.html JOHN BOWKER. "Śraddhā." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-raddh.html |
|
Śrāddha
Śrāddha (Skt.). In Hinduism, a supplementary funeral rite involving daily offering of water and occasional offerings of food (piṇḍa) to the three immediately preceding generations of paternal and maternal ancestors.
The śrāddha rite is a source of merit for those who perform it with faith (śraddhā). |
|
|
Cite this article
JOHN BOWKER. "Śrāddha." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN BOWKER. "Śrāddha." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-rddha.html JOHN BOWKER. "Śrāddha." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-rddha.html |
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
