What is the object of devotion?
With regard to the devotional aspect, the question arises, “what should one be devoted to?” or, “what is the object of faith and devotion?” The Pali word saddha is translated as faith. In some context, it is rendered as confidence (pasada) or trust (pasanna). All these words signify faith. So, by having faith what does one have faith in? to put it simply, one has faith in the Buddha, one has faith in the Dhamma, ie the teachings of the Buddha and one has faith in the Sangha, the disciples of the Buddha who follow and practice the teachings of the Buddha. The basic principle of the Buddha’s teaching is the law of cause and effect. In other words, there’s nothing in the universe that is causeless. Every result arises due to pre-existing causes. For example, a seed cannot produce a tree without the suitable conditions of fertile soil, water and sunshine. All the Buddha’s teachings are based on natural law of cause and effect. There’s no teaching whatsoever that is not based on...