On the Structure of the Formation of Saddhā （Skt. Śraddhā）: ‘Seeing’ and ‘Believing’

Abstract

This article presents the results of a study of the structure of the formation of saddhā （Skt. śraddhā） in the Pali canon, focusing on the usage of the term in pre-Buddhist texts and their continuity with Buddhist usages.

In ancient India, before the establishment of Buddhism, the eye （seeing with the eye） was equated with truth （satya）. People believed in objects that could not be seen directly and believed in the words of those who actually saw them directly （those who could see them）. However, if one directly sees the object one believes in and it becomes clear that it in fact truly exists as one perceives it, there is no need to believe what others say on this point.

Buddhism inherited this earlier structure. For the disciples of the Buddha, the Buddha is this one who has seen directly, and this idea is straightforwardly reflected in the expression of belief in the Tathāgata’s awakening, which is repeatedly taught in the Pali canon.