Some ponderings on the subject of faith and related matters
. There is value in lessening the grip of one's self-cherishing. One good technique is to choose to believe in something greater than ones self.
This 'other than self' should be worthy of faith.
To choose to believe in something with good qualities is simply wise.
Many people choose Jesus.
Some choose the idea of Good. Some choose the group AA.
Whatever it is, faith is good. Blind faith not so much.
Ananda: "Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was wandering on tour together with a large Sangha of monks when he arrived at a town of the Kalamas named Kesaputta....
Lord Buddha said:
... O Kalamas, it is fitting for you to be in doubt. Doubt has arisen in you about a perplexing matter.Come, Kalamas. Do not go by oral tradition, by lineage of teaching, by hearsay, by a collection of scriptures, by logical reasoning, by inferential reasoning, by reflection on reasons, by the acceptance of a view after pondering it, by the seeming competence of a speaker, or because you think, ’The ascetic is our teacher'.
But when you know for yourselves, ’These things are unwholesome, these things are blameworthy; these things are censured by the wise; these things, if undertaken and practised, lead to harm and suffering,’ then you should abandon them."