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Buddhist Perspective on the Development of Social Welfare

by Ashin Indacara | 2011 | 61,386 words

This page relates ‘The accomplishment of Faith (Saddha-sampada)—Introduction� of the study on the Buddhist perspective on the development of Social Welfare, employing primarily the concepts of Utthana-sampada (persistent effort) and Arakkha-sampada (watchfulness). Based on the teachings of the Buddha in the Dighajanu Sutta and other canonical texts, this essay emphasizes the importance of effort, knowledge, and good karma in achieving social welfare.

Go directly to: Footnotes.

2. The accomplishment of Faith (Saddhā-sampadā)—Introduction

The Buddha expounded how important the accomplishment of faith is for the development of social welfare. The discourse of the Buddha can be seen in Dīghajānu Sutta or Vyagghapajja Sutta of Aṅguttara Nikāya.

They are as follow:�

“These four conditions, Vyagghapajja (Tiger-foot), lead to a clansman’s advantage and happiness and well-being in the world to come. What four? They are achievement in faith, achievement in virtue, achievement in charity and achievement in wisdom.�[1]

“And what is achievement in faith? Herein a clansman has faith and believes in the awakening of the ղٳ岵ٲ (well-gone), thinking “Thus He, indeed, is the Exalted One: he is the pure one, fully enlightened, endowed with knowledge and conduct, well-gone, the knower of worlds, the incomparable leader of men to be tamed, the teacher of gods and men, allknowing and blessed.�[2] This is called achievement in faith.

“Now, housefather, to the winning of these four conditions is desirable, dear, delightful, and hard to win in the world. What four? They are perfection of faith, perfection of virtue, perfection of generosity and perfection of wisdom.�[3]

“And what, housefather, is perfection of faith? Herein the Ariyan disciple is faithful, he has faith in the enlightenment of the ղٳ岵ٲ, thus: He it is, Fixated, Arahant, perfectly enlightened, and so forth, a Buddha is the Exalted One. This, householder, is called ‘perfection of faith�.�[4]

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

An III, P. 107. Pali Text Society IV, P. 281.

[2]:

Ibid. P. 107. Ibid, P. 281.

[3]:

An III, P. 107. Pali Text Society IV, P. 281.

[4]:

Ibid. P. 107. Ibid, P. 281.

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