The Faith to Doubt: Glimpses of Buddhist Uncertainty

by Stephen Batchelor

Kierkegaard said that faith without doubt is simply credulity, the will to believe too readily, especially without adequate evidence, and that "in Doubt can Faith begin." All people involved in spiritual practice, of whatever persuasion, must confront doubt at one time or another, and find a way beyond it to belief, however temporary. But "faith is not equivalent to mere belief. Faith is the condition of ultimate confidence that we have the capacity to follow the path of doubt to its end. And courage."

In this engaging spiritual memoir, Stephen Batchelor describes his own training, first as a Tibetan Buddhist and then as a Zen practitioner, and his own direct struggles along his path. "It is most uncanny that we are able to ask questions, for to question means to acknowledge that we do not know something. But it is more than an it includes a yearning to confront an unknown and illuminate it through understanding. Questioning is a quest."

Batchelor is a contemporary Buddhist teacher and writer, best known for his secular or agnostic approach to Buddhism. He considers Buddhism to be a constantly evolving culture of awakening rather than a religious system based on immutable dogmas and beliefs. Buddhism has survived for the past 2,500 years because of its capacity to reinvent itself in accord with the needs of the different Asian societies with which it has creatively interacted throughout its history. As Buddhism encounters modernity, it enters a vital new phase of its development. Through his writings, translations and teaching, Stephen engages in a critical exploration of Buddhism's role in the modern world, which has earned him both condemnation as a heretic and praise as a reformer.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Religion, Philosophy, Spirituality

128 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Dave Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

He seems to have evolved

Having previously read "Buddhism without Beliefs" and "Confession of a Buddhist Atheist" I found a few surprises. In the appendix and afterward he expressed doubt in the idea of a stripped to the essentials Buddhism for the West which was an idea that I got from his previous books.

That aside, but on my mind since it was the last impression, I really liked his primary themes.

I will be reflecting upon"what is that?" for a while. The relationship between the technical calculation attitude which is my norm and the this cannot be solved with calculated logic is also something to reflect upon.

Perhaps I have grown too comfortable with my agnosticism. Yes, some things are certainly unknowable through logical process, but I may well be blocking out a benefit of meditation with my too Western mind.

The book is both a good read and a source of lessons which might, hopefully, shape my practice.

Don't think that having read his other books there will be nothing new, or should I say, unexpected.

[Marsha Altman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really happy to hear this book was reissued, as I'd been trying to get a copy at a reasonable price for some time. I've read some of Batchelor's other work, as well as works by other Westerners who became monks with Batchelor under Lama Yeshe and then dropped out, and I was hoping the author would provide a clear explanation of why he lost interest in Tibetan Buddhism in favor of Korean Zen Buddhism (and ultimately, his own secular Buddhism that he highlights in Buddhism Without Beliefs), but he really raced through that part, and even though I know quite a bit about Dharamsala and what he was referencing, I still didn't understand his experience. He then goes into some great details about the life of various Zen masters, but the Zen Buddhism explanation is baffling, as I suppose it's supposed to be? He recounts pretty much what I assume is his entire time in the monastery there, but I'm still not sure what he learned or how it came to impact his life later. I wish it had been clearly, but I acknowledge these were some very hard concepts to grasp.

[Damon Glassmoyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

While written (obviously) from a Buddhist point of view, I found it quite applicable to my own not-entirely-Buddhist spiritual journey. An excellent exploration of the role of doubt and questioning in the growth of the soul.

[Happyreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not about doubt. It’s about how questions are framed. “What is this?” And whether the questions have certain expectations. A short, thought provoking book on how we open up to what's beyond what we think is known.

[Phil Calandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

The "Faith to Doubt" is the story of the author's journey into Korean Zen Buddhism. The central theme of this book is that "doubt" is not looked upon as a hindrance to meditative practice as in other traditions. The author states that our deepest doubts are the key to answering these existential questions of who we are rather than adopting a set of beliefs that have little to do with "reality." The author states that doubt is central to the spiritual crisis that many people find themselves today and their uncertainty about particular spiritual traditions.
The author's discussion of "doubt" is compelling but appears incomplete. The author discusses his initial interest in Tibetan Buddhism and also claims that Vipassana Meditation had and overwhelming impact on his life; however, the author does not differentiate his experiences with these spiritual disciplines that led him to Korean Zen Buddhism. Consequently, the author does not fully explain what it really means to "doubt" vis a vis his personal experiences with the aforementioned spiritual disciplines. As a result of the foregoing, there remains questions about the meaning of "doubt" that are not adequately explored and the book appears overwhelmingly lacking

[REID NUTTING · Rating 5 out of 5]

What questions does this book bring up in me....?

I don't have a problem with Stephen Batchelor's argument or point of view. I find myself struggling with the decision of the Buddha's to share his personal discovery with others.
Upon seeing the morning star, that fateful day, the Buddha's first thought was, "This cannot be taught."
He was right.
Time has proven that the most efficient method of transmission of revelations of the mind is not through oral teaching or through the written description of the discoveries.
It is found to be true to this day. Successful transmission of Spiritual Revelation is confined to the mysterious Mind to Mind
transmission.
I am struggling, to be honest, with the idea that Mind to Mind transmission has proven, over time, to be the most efficient
way to pass on valuable Spiritual discoveries.
That's all...... Thanks.
Kokosdad

[Sonia Belviso · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned about this book through a reference by Tenzin Palmo, and I was not very familiar with Stephen Batchelor. The books has many beautiful reflections on various topics ( not always related to the subject of uncertainity, unknowing or doubt ),and interesting insights into the Korean Zen tradition, but I found it conceptually umbalanced - the chapters would better serve as standalone ( though not entirely unrelated ) articles or lectures. I enjoyed the conterporary feel.
 

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not feel that this book matched the description on the cover. I was expecting a spiritual book, but this seemed more of a personal memoir on the authors experiences. This could have been spiritual, but he was focused more on the mechanics of what happened literally instead of the internal spiritual lessons to be learned. It did not have much about faith and doubt except for a little in the middle.

[George Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth engaging. I like Stephen though he tends to be a bit dry at times. What I most appreciate about him is learning about the Korean version of Zen that he represents. I resonate with its insistence on the primacy of working with the great doubt.

[Sean Farrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stephen Batchelor, noted secular Buddhist, shares essays written about his time practicing at a Korean Seon/Zen temple. The theme of doubt, specifically doubt as understood in Zen, runs throughout.

[Matthew Shinker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read several Stephen Batchelor books and I find him to be one of the most approachable, modern Zen practitioners. He seem to tread carefully on the distinctions between Tibetan and Zen Buddhism, one being the concept of doubt. How can you have faith unless you have doubt? I liked this book and thought it was well written. Thanks Stephen for dragging Buddhism forward into the 21st century.

[Paul Feetham · Rating 3 out of 5]

In some ways a complex book to grapple with but very honest and thoughtful.

my favourite dharma gem that will stick forever?

"A meditative attitude is akin to a midwife. It neither designs nor constructs, but brings forth with care what is about to be born."

[Alison Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I took a quick dip into the book - didn't finish it; it confirmed yet again that Zen is not for me - all those koans ... no thank you.

[Ross Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Faith To Doubt" is a beautifully-written, but uneven work. Each chapter appears disconnected from all the others. Those on questioning and the death of his master were particularly moving.