The Tree of Enlightenment

faith, or confidence. Like a seed, faith is said to precede all
things. Faith is like a treasure because one can call on it when
in need; it is also said to be like hands and feet because it is a
means of getting what one wants. Hence the cultivation of faith
is the beginning of the Mahayana path. In this context, we can
divide faith into three levels: (1) clear faith, which consists of a
clear appreciation of the qualities of the Buddha, Dharma, and
Sangha; (2) aspiring faith, which means that, having developed
a clear appreciation of the qualities of the Triple Gem, one
aspires to achieve these qualities for oneself; and (3) confident
faith, which means that, once clear faith and aspiring faith have
been firmly established, one’s faith gradually becomes unshakable.
rough these three levels of faith – from appreciation to
aspiration to confident certainty – one’s faith is developed to a
point where its progress and effects are irreversible.
e cultivation of faith is combined with the taking of refuge.
e path to enlightenment and Buddhahood is a long
one, on which the obstacles are many and our own deficiencies
numerous, so it is necessary to have a support, a stabilizing
influence. is support is provided by the practice of taking
refuge. rough the act of taking refuge, we acquire a guide, a
path, and a community, all of which contribute to our progress
on the path.
e cultivation of faith and taking of refuge are followed by
contemplation of the precious nature of the human form, that
is, of the rare circumstances of human birth and opportunity
to practice the Dharma. Nagarjuna said that one who uses a
jewel-adorned golden vessel for vomit and spittle is surely foolish;
similarly foolish is one who uses the precious human form
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