Faith. Padma Melachuri

Transcription

1 Faith Padma Melachuri

2 Faith What is Faith? What does Swami say about Faith? Buddhism Why do we need Faith? How do we get Faith? Life Application

3 Faith Faith is belief in a god or gods or in the doctrines or teachings of the religion, trust or belief without tangible proof. There is an indefinable mysterious power that pervades everything, I feel it, though I cannot see it, I define it as God. - Mahatma Gandhi

4 Swami s Quote on Faith The first quality every member of the Sathya Sai Seva Organization should have is firm faith in God. This faith must be based on the awareness that God is Omnipresent. The Divine pervades everything in the Universe. This may not be understood by everyone. Some may not agree that the Divine is Omnipresent. But whether they accept this fact or not, the truth is, evidence of the presence of God can be found wherever one turns.

5 Is it possible for this boundless creation to be brought into existence by man, if there had been no Divine Principle behind it? For instance, fire is latent in the branches of a tree and in the tree itself. If the branches rub against each other, they may generate a fire which could burn down the tree, branches and all. Which is the power that filled the branches with the latent fire and ensured at the same time that they did not destroy themselves by releasing that fire? Is man responsible for this? Take, again, the example of the process by which the food that we take is converted into blood. Is this the invention of any man?

6 Swami s Quote on Faith It is the immanent, all-pervasive power of the Divine that reveals Itself in numerous ways. We see flowers of all kinds. Men are able to make plastic flowers of the same kind. But can any one fill the plastic flowers with the native fragrance that is got from natural flowers? This is possible only by the Divine. There is sweet water inside a tender coconut. Who poured the water inside the coconut? Was it the work of any man? No. Only the Divine can do such a thing.

7 Examples such as these should serve to confirm your faith in the Divine. No one can probe the mystery of the power of the Divine or grasp its infinite magnitude. If members of the Sathya Sai Organization have no faith in the Divine, there is no purpose in their remaining in the organization. Such persons need not join the organization or continue in it. It is with faith that one should take up social service. Society is our primary concern. The Divine is manifest in society. - Sri Sathya Sai Baba

8 Buddhism Wide opened is the door of the Deathless to all who have ears to hear; let them send forth faith [saddha] to meet it. - Gautama Buddha Is Buddha a God? Is Buddhism scientific? What are the four noble truths taught by Buddha? How is faith followed in Buddhism?

9 Buddhism Noble Truths 1. Life is suffering includes pain, disease, getting old and finally death 2. Suffering is caused by craving and aversion. 3. Suffering can be overcome and true happiness can be attained 4. Noble 8-fold path will lead to end of suffering. Noble 8 fold path Being moral in what we say, do, livelihood Focusing mind on being fully aware of thought and action Developing wisdom to understand noble truths Developing compassion for others

10 Why do we need faith? Guru Naanak said that without faith in God, man is blind; without it, you are moving corpses. Your life might be as grand, as beautiful, as rich as the Taj Mahal -- but remember the Taj is but a tomb! Whatever the method of worship, whichever the Name or Form, it is Faith that matters; it is that which gives life and energy for higher things. Sri Sathya Sai Baba

11 How do we get Faith? People are in search of shortcuts for everything, even in spirituality. But, in practice there is a shortcut to Divinity. There is no need to wander here and there. God is residing in your heart. Turn your vision inward. You can see God instantly. This is the easiest path. Where is God? Have full faith that Divinity resides in you. If you keep reminding yourself constantly that you are a part of Divinity, you are bound to become Divine yourself. On the other hand, if the feeling is that you are something apart from the Divine, you shall remain far from Divinity always. There is no need for you to give up your vocations, keep doing your function in society, but always remember that you are essentially Divine. God Himself intervenes when His devotees are in distress in the performance of their functions in society. You all know the story of Gora Kumbhar and Kabir. When they were confronted with impossible tasks, they were helped by God in person, Who completed their task of making pots or weaving cloth. God is capable of taking any form that He Wills. Hence, is He known as the Viraat Swarupa. The Purusha Sukta (in the Rig Veda) says, "Sahasra Seerasha Purushaha, Sahasraaksha Sahasra Paath...", while describing the Viraat Swarupa. The Viraat Purusha has innumerable limbs.

12 Become worthy of His love. You can achieve everything. This is possible only through a Nishkama Prema (unselfish love). Self by itself is devoid of love. Love is in fact selflessness. By cultivating such selfless love, you become Divine yourself. Bhagwan Satya Sai Baba

13 Life Application Faith in Self - Food Control Faith in Kids Tell a story, take them to park Faith in Spouse Do a chore Faith in God Read a chapter in any book on God

14 Faith Zoarastrianism Is Idol Worship a correct way to improve faith? How do we get Faith? How do we express Faith? Why is it that people of faith also face problems in life?

15 Zoarastrianism Zoroastrians believe there is one God called Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord) and He created the world. Elements are pure, fire represents God s light or wisdom. Avesta Holy book of sciptures Dualism Cosmic, Moral Ahura Mazda Omniscient Omnipotent Omnipresent Impossible for humans to conceive Unchanging The Creator of life The Source of all goodness and happiness

16 Zoarastrianism Amesha Spentas Vohu Manah - Good mind and good purpose. Asha Vahishta - Truth and righteousness. Spenta Ameraiti - Holy devotion, serenity and loving kindness. Khashathra Vairya - Power and just rule. Hauravatat - Wholeness and health. Ameretat - Long life and immortality. Belief Good thoughts, good words, good deeds Man is God s helper Men and women, rich and poor, and young and old are all seen as equal.

17 Is idol worship a correct way to improve Faith? There is only one God and He is Omnipresent. True, but to concentrate on the Omnipresent, some fixed point or preliminary form is needed. And to conceive of the Divine as present everywhere at all times, the mind of man is to be clarified and purified by means of certain psychological processes called saadhanas (spiritual efforts). This is the reason why not only among the followers of Hinduism but also among Christians and Buddhists, regular rituals are prescribed for the worship of idols of God.

18 Is idol worship a correct way to improve Faith? Cynics question the validity of this type of adoration and say that will only confirm faith in a superstition. "Can God be a stone or a piece of paper?" they ask. This attitude is not correct. By adhering to the traditionally laid down ritual worship, many aspirants have attained the vision of the Omnipresent and stayed in that Incommunicable Bliss.

19 Is idol worship a correct way to improve Faith? In fact, puja (formal worship, at regular hours, with the recitation of hymns and songs) is the very first step in the spiritual pilgrimage. Many seekers have undoubtedly achieved an awareness of God by years of asceticism among jungle caves. But, starting early with puja and continuing with scrupulous care, the rites of archana, bhajana and aaradhana (offering of flowers with repetition of God' s Name, singing His glory and adoring Him as a living presence) are more fruitful and satisfying.

20 Is idol worship a correct way to improve Faith? Meerabai, Sakkubai, Suurdhaas, Kabeerdhaas, Shankaraachaarya and many other saints and realised souls have proved in their lives that the time, attention and energy spent, in these religious practices is well spent. By aaradhana only were they able to visualise the Divine in the specific form which they used as the instrument. - Swami Satya Sai Baba

21 What do we get from Faith? Embodiments of Love! Every man desires to acquire aanandha. From where can aanandha be acquired? Faith alone can win aanandha. Peace can be got only through faith; faith is the spring of joy. But now, we see sorrow wherever we cast our eyes. Why does this happen? Because, man has lost faith. He has no faith in himself. How then can he acquire aanandha? How can a person, who has not got faith enough to live happily for a few days, win the grace of God? This day, when education has achieved remarkable progress in many directions, man has lost faith in the highest and the supremest-- -God. He queries, "What exactly is God?" He argues, "Is there God? Well, I shall prove, that there is no God."

22 What do we get from Faith? Seek the Truth and you are seeking God. Truth is God. Truth exists; so, God exists. God IS, because Truth is God. Does anyone argue that there is no Truth? Come. I shall show him Truth. He who denies the existence of Truth can never be a man. Can there be a God higher than Truth?

23 What do we get from Faith? The human condition today is full of falsehood; it is sunk in wickedness. So, no one can understand the significance of Truth. Truth is generally understood to mean speaking exactly what has been heard by the ears. No; this is not the meaning of Truth. What has been heard undergoes change; Truth is changeless, it is the same in the past, present and future. Have faith that Truth exists thus and can be experienced. Faith is the very breath of life. Without it, man is a living corpse. Sri Sathya Sai Baba

24 How do we express Faith? From the moment of birth, suffering pursues man in one form or another throughout life. If in all these ordeals, one has to maintain equanimity and peace, he has to lead a righteous life, with firm faith in God. There is no need to give up the normal duties of a student or a householder. But everything that is done should be done as an offering to God. Thereby every ordinary act becomes sanctified. Love of God should express itself in the form of consecration of every action. This is my message to you on this sacred day. Sri Sathya Sai Baba

25 Why is it that people having Faith face problems? If you have attachment to sense-objects (Raaga) you can never be free from disease (Roga). Thyaaga (renunciation, detachment) alone can ensure true bhoga (joy, bliss). This does not mean that you can flee from the world; you can never do that. The world will always be with you. While in this world of A-shaanthi (turmoil and agitation) you must win Pra-shaanthi (the highest type of equanimity).

26 Why is it that people having Faith face problems? To help you in this process, and to make you aware of the distance you have traversed, tests may be held by the Lord; you must welcome them, as chances to demonstrate your accomplishments and to win credit and appreciation. Do not develop contrary reactions. Students should ask for tests, so that they can estimate the heights they have scaled; they should not protest or run away.

27 Why is it that people having Faith face problems? On the foundation of Faith, erect the four pillars of Sathya, Dharma, Shaanthi and Prema and upon them, raise the Mansion of your earthly Life. That is the richest property you can earn here. Sri Sathya Sai Baba