<p>One can be a Buddhist:</p>

<ul>
<li>one believes in what is consistent with the teaching

<ul>
<li>verified by oneself</li>
<li>unverified but believed due to the confidence in the teaching</li>
</ul></li>
</ul>

<p>If one believes what is consistent even it is unverified there is no harm.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-05T07:50:18.450Z
2019-08-05T07:50:18.450Z
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
<p>I read in Wikipedia and also in the suttas that refuge in Dhamma is "verified", as follows:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Svakkhato Bhagavata dhammo sanditthiko akaliko ehipassiko opanayiko
  paccattam vedittabbo vinnuhiti.</p>
  
  <p>"Svakkhato" The Dhamma taught by the Blessed One is Excellent in the
  beginning, Excellent in the middle and Excellent in the end - all of
  Buddha's Discourses are consistent and teach the same truth.
  "Sanditthika" Dhamma is self-evident and can be understood in this
  life itself. "Akaliko" Dhamma, Noble Truths, can not be changed nor
  can they be altered over time. "Ehipassiko" "come and see"; Buddha's
  Dhamma is to be investigated. "Opanayika" Dhamma can only be
  understood by oneself. "Paccattam vedittabbo vinnuhiti" Dhamma is for
  the wise to understand and realize.</p>
  
  <hr>
  
  <p>The teaching is well explained by the Buddha—visible in this very
  life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that
  sensible people can know it for themselves.</p>
  
  <p>svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo sandiṭṭhiko akāliko ehipassiko opaneyyiko
  paccattaṃ veditabbo viññūhīti.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Can I believe in things I have not verified for myself but still be a Buddhist?</p>

<p>Do the words "veditabbo viññūhīti" refer to direct experience? Or can it be merely  fluency in theories? </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-05T09:47:07.153Z
I guess you're quoting https://dhammawiki.com/index.php/Homage_to_the_Buddha,_Dhamma,_Sangha#Homage_to_the_Dhamma
ChrisW
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-05T15:31:54.177Z
I thought [this answer](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/a/3694/254), about "Faith in Early Buddhism" as it's described in the canon, was informative.
ChrisW
<refuge><faith>
How do I reconcile the Dhamma Refuge with blind faith?
# How do I reconcile the Dhamma Refuge with blind faith?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-08-05)

I read in Wikipedia and also in the suttas that refuge in Dhamma is "verified", as follows:

> Svakkhato Bhagavata dhammo sanditthiko akaliko ehipassiko opanayiko
> paccattam vedittabbo vinnuhiti.
>
> "Svakkhato" The Dhamma taught by the Blessed One is Excellent in the
> beginning, Excellent in the middle and Excellent in the end - all of
> Buddha's Discourses are consistent and teach the same truth.
> "Sanditthika" Dhamma is self-evident and can be understood in this
> life itself. "Akaliko" Dhamma, Noble Truths, can not be changed nor
> can they be altered over time. "Ehipassiko" "come and see"; Buddha's
> Dhamma is to be investigated. "Opanayika" Dhamma can only be
> understood by oneself. "Paccattam vedittabbo vinnuhiti" Dhamma is for
> the wise to understand and realize.
>
> ---
>
> The teaching is well explained by the Buddha—visible in this very
> life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that
> sensible people can know it for themselves.
>
> svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo sandiṭṭhiko akāliko ehipassiko opaneyyiko
> paccattaṃ veditabbo viññūhīti.

Can I believe in things I have not verified for myself but still be a Buddhist?

Do the words "veditabbo viññūhīti" refer to direct experience? Or can it be merely fluency in theories?

**Tags:** refuge, faith

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I guess you're quoting https://dhammawiki.com/index.php/Homage_to_the_Buddha,_Dhamma,_Sangha#Homage_to_the_Dhamma  
> **username_1**: I thought [this answer](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/a/3694/254), about "Faith in Early Buddhism" as it's described in the canon, was informative.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2019-08-05. Score: 2

One can be a Buddhist:

* one believes in what is consistent with the teaching
  + verified by oneself
  + unverified but believed due to the confidence in the teaching

If one believes what is consistent even it is unverified there is no harm.


---

