& how about the faith that Patrul rinpoche elucidates in WOMPT, or Jigme lingpa's presentation for that matter (4 levels). "Vivid faith, Eager faith, and confident faith".I understand faith according to its basic definition provided by the Kośa: "śraddha (dad pa) is a mental factor that brings clarity to the mind." I don't have much use for faith beyond that. I do respect other's faith, but not when they use it as an argument in a discussion.
""Just as taking refuge opens the gateway to all teachings and practices it is faith that opens the gateway to taking refuge " (P171)"
Vivid faith -- "" the faith that is inspired in us by thinking of the immense compassion of the Buddhas and great teachers."(172). "
"We might experience this kind of faith on visiting a temple containing many representations of the buddha's body, speech, and mind, or after an encounter with a great teacher or spiritual friend we have just met personally or whose qualities or life-story we have heard described."
Eager faith -- "Eager faith is our eagerness to be free of the sufferings of the lower realms" (172)
Confident faith ""It is total trust in the Three Jewels alone that comes from the knowledge that they are the only unfailing refuge" (Patrul rinpoche 172). "