Abstract

This thesis aimed at studying the faith in Theravada Buddhism and Brahmanism. There were 3 objectives; 1) to study of the faith in Theravada Buddhism, 2) to study of the faith in Brahmanism, and 3) to compare the faith between Theravada Buddhism and Brahmanism. The research methodology was documentary by collecting the primary data, documents and the related literatures to analyze, interpret, compare them written in description verified by experts.

From the result of study, it found that Saddhā or Faith in Theravada Buddhism refers to confidence in goodness which wasthe faith valuated by reason, associatedwith wisdom and based on the truth as its character by seeing the relation of cause and effect of all things. Those who have the right faith will not decide or believe in anything without their own valuating by proving it through his experience.There found 4 types of Saddhā or faith in Tipitaka, namely 1) Kamma-Saddhā, 2) Vipāka-Saddhā, 3) Kamassakata-Saddhā, and 4) Tathāgatabohdi-Saddhā. In brief these faiths emphasize on believing the law of natures, law of individual action or law of causation, and sincere confidence in Triple Gems as perfect refuge. the man must obey and follow these lawsfor the end of suffering.

In comparison, Saddhāor faith in Brahmanism had different meaning in different period. In new Aryan period, the meaning of faith appeared quite similar in Jainism, Brahmanism and early Buddhism but different in practical path which are as follows;

1)They all agreed that the consciousness is infinite passing unaccountable rebirth in different forms such as being born in rich family, poor, intelligence or foolish, some animal or some in some plants circling around again and again without the end unless they had attained liberation merging into First Consciousness or Paramatman or Mahabrahman.

2) The diversity of living depends on the power of actions which one had done in previous lives and duet this force of actions, one was tied with endless circle of death and rebirth.

3) Due to the force of action causing inequality in society, there appeared many masters who tried hard to deliver the way out of such inequalities and endless rebirth then taught the non-action or Akamma, way of attaining Akamma, that is Brahma. The only one way to enter Akamma was to renounce from worldly life, living as an ascetic in jungle for seeking such Akamma or non-action.

4) Due to believing that the consciousness will wonder round and round endlessly, so there arises the new school which proposed the theory of world ending and the new beginning which depends on different period. These believes on the rise and end of this world will be determined by the creator and destroyer Gods.

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