DHAMMA PADETHA – 1. NOBLE SADDHA LIKENED TO THE HAND
DHAMMA PADETHA – NOBLE SADDHA LIKENED TO THE HAND
Buddhists use the word saddha liberally when doing merits. One is praised when one is full of saddha or faith. “Saddha” which is a Pali word has a deep and wide meaning. Saddha is the best basic concept for all Buddhists who aspire most to reach total extinction of being (nibbana). A meritorious deed can be accomplished only where there is saddha.
“Saddha” is translated as belief or faith in one single word. In Myanmar language it is a combination of two words meaning faith and clarity.
There are five kinds of faith
(1) Faith in the Buddha
(2) Faith in the Teachings (Dhamma)
(3) Faith in the Sangha
(4) Faith in the Action (Kamma)
(5) Faith in the effects of Kamrna
Faith or Confidence
Lord Buddha, whom we revere is perfect with one realizing the path of holiness (arahatta-magga) insight which could eliminate all evil. He is entirely free from base, inferior defilements such as greed (lobha), anger (dosa), delusion (moha).
He is omniscient. Without the help of anyone He knows everything that should be known. We believe in these excellent qualities of our Lord Buddha.
We believe that the dhamma we are practising, beginning from the observing of five precepts up to insight (vipassana) practice, have been preached by Lord Buddha. If we practise it, we will be free from all kinds or unhappiness and attain nibbana
We believe that the sangha we revere are those who are practising dhamma according to the instructions of Lord Buddha to reach nibbana. They are practising for the benefit of the laity who can do meritorious deeds, and that their practice is noble.
We believe that the charity (dana), the wholesome action we are doing, the precepts we are observing concern with our mind. They cannot be seen with the eye or are tangible. But these will bring benefit to ourselves.
Because of these wholesome actions, we reap the benefit of improving our lives in this existence and are free from harm. We believe that we will get to the higher planes and be endowed with good benefits in our future existences.
It is also believed that killing, stealing will bring bad result (akusala kamma). These akusala kamma cannot be seen by the natural eye but they exist as shadows, giving bad effects as occasion arises (either in this life or in future existences).
Lucidity or clarity
When saddha arises in you, things that make your mind impure such as greed, anger, delusion, pride, conceit, jealousy and ill-will disappear and your mind becomes lucid. Thus, because it makes your mind clear and lucid, we say that saddha is clarity.
For example, it is like the ruby of a Cakkavati, (universal monarch) in ancient times, who ruled over the four continents. When these monarchs went round the universe, with many followers sometimes they could not get clear water in some places When that happened, the monarch’s ruby was put into a bowl of muddy water and all at once, the mud settled to the bottom and the water became clear and drinkable.
In the same way, when one has saddha, lobha, dosa, moha, pride (mana), jealousy (issa), avarice or stinginess (macchariya), which are likened to dirt and mud disappear and one’s mind is purified. Good deeds are done in succession.
Because one’s mind is clear and lucid one’s behaviour becomes light and active. The facial expression also becomes clear and lucid. One can vividly observe the donor’s courteous activities while giving dana.
Clarity or lucidity because of faith
Although saddha is translated into two words, belief and clarity, the meaning is associated. There is lucidity or clearness because of faith.
Those who worship Lord Buddha have faith in Him and His excellent qualities. Thus their minds become pure. Those who worship the Dhamma or the Teachings of Buddha believe that it will eliminate unhappiness. Thus their minds become clear and lucid. Those who worship Sangha also believe in their noble qualities, and their minds become pure. Hence, belief and lucidity of the mind are associated.
Those who are mindful of the qualities of Buddha, Dhamma, practising vipassana meditation and mindful of the noble qualities of Sangha will find for themselves that their minds become pure and lucid
Disbelief makes impurity
Sometimes, when evil people like robbers come to your place you cannot be at peace, your mind is disturbed. What will they destroy, what will they loot and take with them? How can I escape from these bad men? You are worried and cannot be at ease because you cannot trust and believe in these wicked people. Because of lack of faith there is no lucidity or clarity of mind.
Saddha likened to the hand
The hand accomplishes the work you wish to carry out. Likewise, saddha carries out good deeds for you to gain merit.
The hand is most important and most useful for you. It cleans the body and makes it look presentable. It will help keep things that are either not valuable, or moderately valuable or the most valuable such as diamond, gold and other gems. When you wish to get something you have to take it with your hand.
In the same way, one who gives dana will never be poor or destitute in every existence. One will have riches and be able to do meritorious deeds in succession with ease. One gets merit due to saddha, which is likened to the hand.
Those who have morality (sila), are endowed with longevity, good health, free from diseases, have pleasant looks, spiritual and physical happiness, concentration, determination so that they can perform meritorious deeds in succession. Because they have saddha, they are firm in their sila. They are able to get merit because of saddha which is likened to the hand.
Those who are complete with tranquility (samatha) and vipassana practice, and the belief that they can most rapidly attain nibbana to which they aspire put in extra effort in practising samatha and vipassana, and are able to gain merit. To be able to accomplish this, it is all due to saddha. which is compared to the hand.
Motto: Saddha (faith) is likened to the hand.
