About the meaning of believing

Thanks to the Buddha, the disasters and misfortunes that befell me have subsided in the current situation. I think it's a good idea to respect the Buddha with that in mind. This is because unlike God, Buddha doesn't give us trials.

Hello. I read your consultation.

As you said, even if you believe in Buddhism, it does not mean that the Buddha will protect you from illness, unemployment, money trouble, etc.

Buddha is an honorific title indicating a person who has awakened to the truth, and the first person to become a Buddha was a “human” called Buddha (Gautama Siddhartha). This is really important.
Since they are human, of course, the Buddha is not the “ruler of destiny” or “creator of the world.” Therefore, there is no such thing as controlling so-called good or bad events such as those described above and giving them to someone.

“When something painful happens, it's a test given by the Buddha.”

This may be an ant as a way of thinking in faith, but since there is a risk that it may promote misunderstandings, I think it's a bit dangerous.
If you are participating in an ascetic practice, ask directly to the monk who is in a position to teach you, not a believer.
It may be possible for a monk to explain it that way depending on the other person's level of understanding, but even if they say “I want to understand the original proper content of Buddhism,” if they seem to hold up such a so-called “theory that those who believe can be saved,” I wonder if that place itself is a bit rude? It's a place where I'm worried.

Faith in Buddhism is not about forcibly believing in something you don't understand; it's about looking at things as they are now and here.
In other words, the content of Buddhism is something that makes you wake up from the kind of superstition that you unknowingly believed.

There are plenty of religions that sing good things (convenient for me) and good things to keep bad things away, but this is not the case with Buddhism.
What is good and bad are not things, but are determined by one's own heart (convenience/values), and Buddhism deeply observes one's inner self when suffering by oneself due to that heart.

However, since humans aren't that strong, there may be situations where we have to pray. In order to be close to such human weaknesses, the first aspect that conforms to our way of thinking is probably the methodology of each denomination that is convenient (a method leading to the truth), but what is really important lies beyond that.

The questions and concerns that Natsu has right now are very important. You've noticed a good point. Never cheat and try to find your way. Also, please ask any questions.

Natsu-sama

This is Kawaguchi Hidetoshi. This is a humble answer to the question.

Faith in Buddhism is necessary as a force to practice teachings and walk in Buddhism, but if you only believe and don't practice Buddhism at all, then it becomes a meaningless faith.

As for that practice, along with faith, it can be a bit difficult, but it is also important whether it is an exercise of wisdom and blessings involving a bodhisattva heart.

Also, just because you have faith (only) does not mean that the Buddha will save or protect you, and it is ultimately up to yourself (self lighting) to save yourself, and that also depends on your own work, so it is also a question of how to practice Buddhism in order to keep your work in good and clean condition.

Regarding faith, His Holiness the Dalai Lama also often stated in his puja, but while firmly verifying each teaching critically, rationally, and logically, as if the goldsmiths carefully examine whether the money they handle is real or fake by burning, cutting, and polishing that money, they should also accept the teacher's teachings in such a way,” while firmly verifying each teaching critically, rationally, and logically, Acceptance is becoming essential.

I want to firmly follow the clean and good flow of Buddhism without worrying about the Eight Laws of the World (selfish gain, loss, praise, blame, honor, slander, ease, suffering).

Kawaguchi Hidetoshi Gassho

Hello. My name is Kameyama Junshi.

The Buddha never puts us to the test. In other words, the Buddha doesn't test us. Also, there is no such thing as Buddha's illness, unemployment, or money problems going away. In other words, just because we believe in the Buddha does not mean that any problems in our lives will go away.
So why do we believe in the Buddha?
That is, believing in the Buddha means that it gives our lives a compass of “how we should live this life full of hardships.”
Our life is like a ship sailing through the ocean. At that time, without a properly functioning compass, we get lost in our path. In life, the thing that shows us the right path we should walk is probably faith.

These are my answers. I hope you can use it as a reference along with other people's answers.