Blind Faith vs. Reasonable Faith
In the modern world, religion is often dismissed as a matter of sentiment or blind faith. However, Kṛṣṇa consciousness is presented by Śrīla Prabhupāda as a great science, demanding both intelligence and philosophical acumen. While faith is the fuel for spiritual progression, he teaches that it must not be blind. A sincere seeker is encouraged to question, analyze, and test the philosophy to develop a firm conviction, rather than simply accepting dogmas without understanding.
Dharma is not "Faith"
The translation of the word dharma as "faith" is frequently corrected by Śrīla Prabhupāda. He explains that while faith can change—a person can convert from being a Hindu to a Christian or a Muslim—dharma refers to the immutable characteristic of the soul. Just as liquidity cannot be separated from water, service cannot be separated from the soul. Therefore, real religion is not a temporary belief system but the realization of one's eternal nature.
- Dharma means constitutional. Dharma does not mean, as it is stated in some of the English dictionary, "a kind of faith." Faith may be blind. That is not dharma.
- In Sanskrit language, dharma does not mean like that, "A kind of faith." No. Faith is blind. Today you are Hindu, tomorrow you are Christian, today you are Christian. So this faith-changing is not dharma.
- Dharma means to be situated in one's position. That is called dharma. dharma is not a kind of faith. Faith is sometimes blind. That is not dharma.
Role of Intelligence and Reason
Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not meant for the unintelligent. Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that one should use philosophy and logic to understand God. He warns that simply having sentiments without a philosophical background can lead to fanaticism or Sahajiyāism. True understanding comes when faith is supported by vijñānam, or scientific knowledge, which is provided through the translations and purports.
- We want to understand God through philosophy. "Through philosophy" means logic. Blind faith is not our business.
- This Krsna consciousness, it is not a blind faith, it is based on reason, it is based on argument, it is based on philosophy, it is based on authority. So the faith required. If I purposely draw my faith without any reason, without any philosophy, then I am unfortunate.
- People should be very careful, take advantage of this Krsna consciousness movement. It is not a blind, sentimental religious faith. It is a great science, vijnanam.
Testing the Truth
Blind acceptance is not a qualification in spiritual life. Students are encouraged to verify the teachings and the teacher. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that one accepts a spiritual master not out of social custom or blind faith, but after testing whether the guru speaks according to the śāstra (scripture). This process of verification protects the devotee from being cheated by charlatans.
- We are accepting Krsna as God not blindly, but by testing. By testing. His character is mentioned in the books. Therefore, we accept God, not by blind faith, but by testing. Although we cannot test, but sastra gives us the chance of testing.
- Although we cannot test, but sastra gives us the chance of testing. We accept spiritual master by testing, not by blind faith. No. According to the Vedic instruction, tad-vijnanartham.
- Not blind faith. Perfect man is perfect. Unless you understand that he is perfect, don't hear from him. That is blind. Without knowing that he is perfect, if you hear, that is your imperfectness.
When Blind Faith Works (and When it Doesn't)
Interestingly, it is acknowledged that "blind faith" in the Supreme Lord or a genuine bona fide guru can actually be beneficial, because the object of that faith is perfect. For example, Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that if one blindly accepts gold from an honest person, one still possesses gold. However, he sternly warns that blind faith in a "rascal cheater" results in total loss. Therefore, while faith in the absolute is good, verified faith is safer and more robust for preaching.
- If you go to a rascal cheater and if you have faith, blind faith, then you are lost.
- If you take it, that it is spoken by bhagavan svayam, then it is blind faith. It may be blind faith, but it is right. If you don't want, then Krsna says, iti te jnanam prakhyatam... Then you check it by your knowledge. Both ways you can accept.
- If you have faith in God, "God is saying this, I must do it," that blind faith is as good. Although it is blind faith, it is the fact.
Conclusion
These teachings dismantle the idea that spiritual life is a suspension of intelligence. Instead, Śrīla Prabhupāda invites us to apply our reason to understand the Absolute Truth. While we begin with faith, that faith should mature into knowledge. By avoiding blind faith in the temporary and cultivating reasonable faith in the eternal, the devotee attains the perfection of dharma.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Blind Faith. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.