The Power of Belief

 A friend of mine is on the road to wealth. He told me he started from nothing, and after a year of hard work toward his goal, he was able to buy a car for his father. Surprising, right?

 

He shared his story with excitement. I asked him how he became so successful so quickly—in just one year. He said that while many factors contribute to success, for him, it all came down to belief. "Always believe you can do it, and you will definitely succeed," he told me with his shining eyes. He added that it was this unshakable belief that helped him withstand criticism and public opinion.
“When we break free from barriers, prejudice, and old habits,” he said, “we can create breakthroughs and even miracles!” These were his final words before we wrapped up our conversation.

 

Beliefs are truly powerful. We can’t touch them with our hands, smell them with our noses, or see them with our eyes—but somehow, we can feel them deeply and silently.

 

I remember when I was little, my mother warned me not to eat candy at night because it would cause cavities. I only listened when she was around. But I didn’t really believe her. On nights when she wasn’t watching, I’d sneak out the candy I had stashed away. That sneaky thrill was strangely delightful. Later, when I was old enough to experience the pain of a cavity for myself, I finally stopped. Isn’t it odd? My mother had warned me long ago, but I only came to believe her after I suffered the consequences. It wasn’t because she meant harm—she cared deeply. But I didn’t believe her until my own experience proved her right.

 

It’s through direct experience—of joy from the good, or suffering from the bad—that we form our deepest beliefs. Back then, it wasn’t just candy and cakes—everything from toys to electronics was appealing. No warnings could change that. But as we grow, we naturally outgrow some of those desires—only to adopt new, often more complicated ones.

 

We often cling to what brings us satisfaction. That’s a tendency shaped over time, which leads to many kinds of beliefs. It seems like our preferences influence our beliefs, doesn’t it?

 

True belief comes from experiencing the results of good (joy) and bad (suffering). False belief is the opposite—rushing headfirst into suffering, thinking it will bring happiness. So many accidents and tragedies come from false beliefs.

 

Everyone has their own beliefs, to greater or lesser degrees. What matters is whether we know how to place them in the right direction—toward benefits for ourselves and others. And those benefits should align with goodness and kindness. Believing in something pure brings peace of mind. Believing in something rigid or harmful can be mentally and emotionally burdensome. The results are clear: good and evil yield either joy or sorrow.

 

The foundation of good karma lies in non-greed, non-anger, and non-delusion. In the Milinda Pañha (The Questions of King Milinda), "The Behavior of Faith" is described like this:

“When faith arises in the mind, it acts like a membrane that blocks the dust of afflictions, preventing them from spreading. These afflictions come from the five hindrances: drowsiness, indulgence, anger, desire, and doubt. Thanks to faith, the mind remains calm and pure.

 

A person with faith always moves toward wholesome qualities, encouraging themselves to persevere—to overcome forever. When seeing those who have attained the fruits of Srotapanna, Sakrdagamin, Anagami, Arahant, a person of faith inspires their own mind to strive for those states—working until they are enlightened and liberated.”

 

Through this dialogue between King Milinda and Nagasena, we can clearly understand the function of faith. The Buddha taught that Faith is one of the seven treasures of a true practitioner. The Avataṃsaka Sutra says, “Faith is the mother who gives birth to all merits.”

 

To believe in the unconditioned and in the path that leads to it (the Noble Eightfold Path), is to be immediately at peace. As stated in the Dhammapada (verses 190–192):

 

“Whoever takes refuge in the Buddha,
The Dharma and the Sangha,
Whoever uses right understanding,
Sees the Four Noble Truths.

Sees suffering and the origin of suffering,
Sees the overcoming of suffering,
Sees the Noble Eightfold Path,
Leading to the end of suffering.

True refuge is secure,
True refuge is supreme,
Having taken refuge like this,
One is freed from all suffering.”

 

This is the ultimate faith—the kind that transcends samsara: Believing that the Three Jewels are always present within ourselves.

 

Tâm Cung 

Translated into English Thai Nhuoc Đon