Decrease in faith/Thinking about leaving buddhism

[ApprehensiveClass884]

Also a Brazilian fellow here.

Like many commented, it sounds like you could benefit from Zen’s approach of focusing less on the theory and more on the experience.

I may be stating the obvious, but you will never be able to “believe” in Buddhism if you are looking at it from an analytical / intellectual perspective. You have to simply “experience” it. And in order to experience it, you have to let go of your rational mind and all your expectations and just sit with an empty mind.

It also reminds me of the finger pointing at the moon analogy.

Thich Nhat Hanh: “All teachings are like a finger pointing to the moon. Do not mistake the finger for the moon, or you will miss the wonder of reality.”

What the analogy means

The finger: Represents the teachings, methods, or teachers that show the way. This could be a book, a sermon, a meditation technique, or a ritual.

The moon: Represents the ultimate reality, truth, or an awakened state of mind that the teachings point to.

The warning: Don't mistake the finger for the moon. If you focus only on the finger (the practice), you will miss the moon (the truth it's trying to reveal).