Ven Dhammanando:
It's true that there is an
implicit distinction in the Suttas between (1) unwholesome doubt (e.g.,
scepticism regarding the qualities of the Triple Gem), (2) commendable
doubt (e.g., when one doubts doubtworthy claims, as in the opening to
the K�l�ma Sutta), and (3) ethically indifferent doubt (e.g., wondering
whether one should go left or right to get to R�jagaha).
However,
these distinctions need to be determined contextually. They have
nothing to do with which word for doubt the Buddha happens to use. In
the Suttas the various words for doubt (kaṅkh�, vicikicch�, vimati,
saṃsaya etc.), along with the verbs from which they derive, are all used
synonymously and interchangeably.
Best wishes,
Dhammanando Bhikkhu
One further remark:
What I wrote in my last post concerns Sutta
usage. In the Abhidhamma, however, vicikicch� is never wholesome or
neutral, but is always an unwholesome mental factor. The question
sometimes arises as to how to reconcile the abhidhammic claim that
vicikicch� is always bad with those sutta passages in which this seems
not to be the case. One does so as follows:
1. When vicikicch� is
being commended in the Suttas, it is to be understood as referring to
the mental factor of understanding (paññÄ�), with the Buddha using the
word 'vicikicch�' merely to conform to common worldly usage.
2.
Ethically indifferent doubt, such as wondering how to get to R�jagaha
when one arrives at a crossroad, is referred to as a "counterfeit of a
hindrance". Abhidhammically this is described not in terms of the
presence of the mental factor of vicikicch�, but rather, in terms of the
absence of the mental factor of decision (adhimokkha).
Best wishes,
Dhammanando Bhikkhu
well if you doubt, meaning you are not accepting it at face value, as you are able to think and set up to find out the truth.
Originally posted by Amitayus48:Interesting and awesome sharing fm you pple. i developed a doubt on “no self æ— æˆ‘“ while watching a movie about life of bodhidharma. curiously i did not explore buddhism then. and amazingly about 15 years later, i began to desire for knowing the beauty of life through reading up. ponderingly, this beginning was not inspire by anyone, it just amazingly happened. the question and problem then was how‘s the way….and i started off with zazen….why i chose sitting meditation because sitting meditation bearing the strong impression that etched deeply from many movies on monks developing bodhi…then my leg was never gymnastically trained in the early days that got me numbed often….somehow or rather…. i happened to shopping past a vcd playing on dharma talks by master jing kong….aha…it strucked me to listen dharma and practice … well in the glory of master jing kong, 护法居士大德 etc and blessing of buddhas…i am shown the way and happy life along then….......so doubt of one‘s lovely buddhahood in life is important….hope that this sharing did not trouble you and is able to develop this awesomic doubt…....wow…amituofo
haha nice sharing.
ya it all started with doubts isnt it wonderful :)
a different ball game in buddhism when one doubts. Sigh , what a relief to know a religion don't discourage doubt.
it is necessary to doubt illusions of life