1. Introduction   

            Many world religions have their own definitions of faith, as do many people. The standard definition of faith today, seems to be “belief without evidence”. Faith is basically the “trust” in something or someone, whether it be in religious manners, or otherwise. For example, a man could have faith the horse he bet on, to win the race: he trusts the horse to win. Allow me to reiterate, Faith is trust in something or someone. Now, how this “faith” is warranted is a different question. Some people have “blind faith”, where the person puts his trust in something without evidence, which would be akin to the man trusting the horse to win, even though he knows nothing of the horse's stats, abilities, etc. The opposite, would be a man trusting the horse to win, after he has seen all the stats on it, and seen how the horse has demonstrated it's reliability, thereby warranting his trust that it would most likely win.

2. Discussion

2.1 Definition of faith

            Faith is the very sum and substance of life. Without faith, human beings cannot achieve anything. Based on the observation of every day life activities, it can be found that behind people, faith was the sole-driving force, without which everything is impossible.

            A person can set a goal for oneself, only if he has faith that ultimately he will achieve the goal. Thus, faith forms the foundation of every new achievement, every new invention and every new discovery and every new victory. There is a co-relation between faith and achievement.

            Faith cannot be imposed upon anyone. It comes from deep inside one’s heart. It cannot be measured. The quantity of faith possessed by you depends upon how positive your approach towards life is. Without faith, motivation for the achievement of goal is completely lost and the person ends up becoming a failure in his life.

            When observing the reasons behind the failure of any person, one of the certain factors to that that person’s lack of faith. Faith is the only power that inspires a human being in despair. But if a person loses faith during the period of struggle, he gives up hope for any success and succumbs to the unfavorable situations. So, an individual without faith is as good as a dead person. His life is just like a deflated balloon.

            Thus, faith is considered as a foundation of any project that is undertaken with a will to complete. It is that driving force which enlightens the candle of hope by giving strength to fight against all odds. A person having faith may face failures in his or her life and won’t lose their heart in despair. That person will know that the obstacles that are coming are only temporary and will ultimately be successful in achieving one’s goal.

2.2 Ways of building faith

            Everyone has their own personal ways of building their faith. People build their faith based on what they are comfortable with in order to fully have the belief they stand for in life. However, there are four common procedures that people do in order to develop their beliefs.

            Firstly, is to see what the holy books say about faith. Holy books in all religions would inform on how one should gain the faith in their life. Reading and understanding the passages and stories of what faith means would have a big possibility to enlighten one’s mind.

            Secondly, hearing God's words would be a great way to gain faith. Weather reading God's word, listen to other Godly friends testimonies, to listen to the Word of God in holy places. To hear the promises of God everyday will surely build your faith. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.

            The third thing that might be able to build people’s faith is to have a mindset to thank the Lord. As the creator of everything that is in this universe, by appreciating what he has done in for us humans, people could build their faith towards everything he has given and created. “Faith is accepting God’s word and staking one’s whole life upon it. Simply agreeing with but not acting upon His words does not edify the listener.” (tjc.org, 2014)

            The fourth way to gain faith is by praying in order to find an answer towards faith. By communicating to God, it would give people the chance to open up and discover themselves and as well as figuring out God’s mysteries and miracles of life.

            The fifth possible reason is to live by faith. This means people should have faith in God's promises not based on what is seen, but on the fact/evidence that is believed, where the answer may be seen yet. Thanking God everyday that has already been received, although it may not be seen yet. That’s faith, confidence in God's ways.

2.3 Faith in different religions

2.3.1 Faith in Christianity

Belom nemu yg pas

2.3.2 Faith is Muslim

2.3.2.1 Elements of faith

            There are four elements of faith (arkân al-îmân), which are Unification without limitation (tauhîd bilâ hadd), remembrance without interruption (dhikr bilâ batt), state without description (hâl bilâ na`t) and conscious existence without moment (wujûd bilâ waqt) from one of the Shaykhs.

2.3.2.2 Items of belief

            As seen from the Word of Allah, belief has many degrees and there are many aspects to it. The following are the three main items of belief in order to make faith sound:

            The first is to believe in God, Allah, the Supreme, the Almighty. Second, it to believe in the Divine Judgment on that promised day and belief in life beyond this life of the world. The third thing is to act righteously.

            Acting righteously is in regard to Allah, may His Majesty be exalted, who has rights upon us and it is in regard to other people, but is also righteous action for - or against - ourselves, which is - surprisingly as it may seem - no children's play at all, when one keeps in mind the nature of the human soul. A soul (nafs), which goes by its own rules so it seems and a body following its commands.

2.3.2.3 Items of belief

            The fundamentals of faith (asl al-îman) of what the human being is required (lazima) in this life (dunyâ) to believe in, if man wishes to attain happiness in both worlds, is the faith in: Allah, His Angels, His Holy Scriptures, His Prophets, the Day of Judgment, His universal decree (qadâihi), His particular decree (qadrihi) so much that you know that, that which hits you, could not have missed you, and that which missed you, could not have hit you.

2.3.2.4 Perfect Faith (îman)

            Faith (îman) is perfected when it comprises the following, in the words of the author of the Tadhkirat:

"I testify with my words (qaulan) and with the engagement (of my person / conviction (`aqdan) that belief is 'confirmation of faith' (tasdîq) and that it includes speech (qaul), works (`amal), intention (niyyah), that which conforms with the Sunna and the fact that it increases or decreases, that it gains strength and that it weakens, (such that) the knowing person (`âlim) is stronger and the ignorant weaker, the former through his science, the latter through his ignorance."

2.3.3 Faith in Buddhism

In this sense, Buddhism is not a religion of faith. Faith is important, not because it leads to salvation but it teaches to motivate one another to walk the Path, prepares one for the journey and sustains one until results are achieved. Emotionally it is an attitude of serenity and joy, which frees one from the discomfort of doubt and thus prepares the mind for meditation. It is a strong and courageous act of will which concentrates all one's energies on the ideal that one can see ahead but not yet reach. A willingness to wait with patience and trust until the gaps in the evidence can be filled.

Depending on every individual's efforts, believing in faith, understanding it, upholding the practice and making contributions yield variable effects. With proper belief in the faith, along with correct comprehension and implementation, one will experience the following:

2.2.3.1 Effects of faith

1.     From Harm to Gain: Upon believing in and understanding Buddhism, knowing "The Law of Cause and Effect", abiding by the precepts, serving others, being responsible, establishing amiable relationship with other beings, not daring to harm others' lives, property and spoil their integrity, one switches from being destructive to being constructive.

2.     From Confusion to Enlightenment: Never over-emphasize on the superficial failures and successes in the material world. In order to have one's wishes come true, one should first form the inner perception - be calm, understanding, modest, and nothing will be against your wishes.

3.     From Evil to Benevolent Behaviour: Do not be jealous or too aggressive and there will be harmony among individuals. A compassionate heart is unwilling to see others suffer, a forgiving heart accepts and pardons the wrongs of others. Making others happy is cultivating good, while liberating others from suffering is eradicating evil. Those nurtured in Buddhism can change bad karma to cultivation in goodness.

4.     From Frustration to Seclusion: A person should help each other to liberate. Eradicate selfishness and encourage one another. Even with our bodies still existing in this world, if our minds are already liberated, we have already changed from frustration to seclusion.

5.     From Small Vehicle to Great Vehicle: When everyone enlightened from listening, they become more open-minded. They do not care even if they encounter different difficult and harsh situations. And this is why they do not stay at the state of Arhat realm, but take liberating others as their mission.

2.2.3.2 Realization of Faith

1.     Unattainable: Such wisdom cannot be seen, heard, or touched, but only be accessed through the enlightenment and realization by our hearts. It is beyond the mental state through thinking and meditation, and therefore said to be unattainable.

2.     Unconceivable: The internally realized truth cannot be described by ordinary ideas, nor can it be explained and discussed with common words. Relying on our own impressions, we describe relative matters and things with form and shape by ordinary ideas and words.

3.     Transcendental Worldly Wisdom: If we can contemplate the self and the dharma, thoroughly understand its falseness, and detach from the delusion of real existence, then we can transcend beyond materials. This can lead us to transcend from being ordinary people to sagely ones, and to liberate from any attachments.

4.     Clearing the Obstructions: If we clear the obstruction of affliction and understand the Dharma and its meanings, we get the power of argung without being stubbed in debate. We can travel everywhere and preach, clear all the obstruction of what is learned, change the karma effect of birth and death to the transformed body at our own discretion.

5.     Leaving No Evil Seed: With respect to our own mind, we cultivate till no evil thought arises and no evil deed is performed. Thus, we leave no evil seed. With respect to dealing with others, our mind is full of kindness, compassion, delight and renunciation. We have not a thought of greed and hatred whether it accords with or resist against any conditions.