Bill!,
Most definitely: After experience, the person does not much need to be
taught-to, nor to be encouraged to stay with the practice. Practice becomes
maintenance, and the development of skilful means.
The faith component is definitely an important part of the treatment applied by
the physician and the student and the Dharma at the outset: it has to be, when
experience is lacking. I would assume that Edgar could probably see the logic
of this, too!
Others might say that, after awakening, one's faith is even enhanced: faith in
the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. When we realize that we have
not been misled, nor lied-to, we may feel filial toward the tradition, and feel
a faith differently than before, but a feeling that is one of being completely
at home with the Three Gems as never before. It's a different form of faith,
and feels different. It's not of something "Out There". But it subsists,
exists, and persists. Yes, it is born of experience, and present experience;
but it is also a faith of some new sort that awakening and practice can be
extended endlessly. It's more a trust than a faith, maybe. I haven't talked
about this much, before. It's also a sense of belonging, in the tradition, and
a feeling of responsibility to be true to it, for oneself and others.
--Joe
> "Bill!" <BillSmart@...> wrote:
>
> I agree that in the beginning we come to a teacher out of faith. And we
> follow that teachers guidance out of faith. And faith leads us to realize
> Buddha Nature. After that however faith is no longer needed. It is replaced
> with experience.
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