By Faith You Shall Be Free

Topic: Belief & Faith

By faith you shall be free and go beyond the world of death.

Gautama Buddha

Gautama Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama, was a spiritual teacher and the founder of Buddhism. Born in the 6th century BCE in Lumbini, now modern-day Nepal, he was destined for greatness. At the age of 29, he renounced his luxurious life as a prince and embarked on a spiritual quest to find the ultimate truth about human suffering and the nature of existence.

After years of intense meditation and self-discipline, Gautama attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, at the age of 35. He became the Buddha, which means "the awakened one" or "the enlightened one." Gautama Buddha spent the rest of his life teaching the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which formed the core principles of Buddhism. His teachings emphasized the importance of overcoming desire and attachment to achieve liberation from suffering. Known for his compassion and wisdom, Gautama Buddha's teachings have had a profound impact on millions of people worldwide, inspiring them to seek inner peace and spiritual enlightenment. His legacy as a spiritual leader and philosopher continues to resonate and guide individuals on their spiritual journeys to this day.

Buddhism
Sutta Nipata

Wilson, Andrew, editor. World Scripture II. Universal Peace Federation, 2011, p. 744 [Sutta Nipata 1146].

Gautama Buddha

Theme: Belief and Faith

Sutta Nipata 1146 [Short Commentary]

The quote, “By faith you shall be free and go beyond the world of death” is from the Sutta Nipata*, a compilation of early Buddhist discourses from the Pali Canon that are traditionally attributed to the Buddha. This quote emphasizes the importance of faith in the journey to enlightenment and the promise of liberation from suffering that faith can bring.

Sutta Nipata 1146 [Longer Commentary]

In the Sutta Nipata, the word “faith” (saddha) refers to a deep trust in the Three Jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. This trust is not blind faith, but rather, it is based on the understanding that these three things can lead to liberation from suffering.

The quote “By faith you shall be free and go beyond the world of death” emphasizes the importance of faith in the Buddhist path. Without faith, it is difficult to develop the motivation and commitment that are necessary to follow the path.

The quote also suggests that faith can lead to liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. This is because faith can help us to understand the true nature of reality and to let go of our attachments to the world.

In conclusion, the quote “By faith you shall be free and go beyond the world of death” is a reminder of the importance of faith in the Buddhist path. Faith is the foundation of the Buddhist path, and it is the key to liberation from suffering.

The Sutta Nipata

The Sutta Nipata, like many other texts in the Pali Canon, is traditionally attributed to the Buddha. It is part of the Khuddaka Nikaya, a collection in the Sutta Pitaka, which is one of the “three baskets” that make up the Tripitaka, or Pali Canon. The Sutta Pitaka contains discourses attributed to the Buddha and his close disciples.

By Faith You Shall Be Free

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