All religions talk about their beliefs. They believe there is a creator, heaven or a better place waiting for them. In Theravada Buddhism, Chan/Zen/Thien and TTK also have their belief. Once a meditator tastes the benefit of their practice, they 'believe' they can achieve their goal of liberation from suffering based on their hardwork. They 'believe' they are the creator of their problems and happiness.
Here I have quoted my famous Kalama Sutta from Anguttara Nikaya 3.65. Here is the text:
Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.
Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.
A quote from Digha Nikaya, Mahaparinibbana Sutta 16, 2.26 "Therefore, Ananda, you should live as islands unto yourselves, being your own refuge, with no one else as your refuge, with the Dhamma as an island, with the Dhamma as your refuge, with no other refuge. ..."
TTK's teachings are based on what Buddha has taught us. This is very clear and concise. We have to work for our liberation/Salvation and enlightenment. From Paticca-samuppada-vibhanga Sutta: Analysis of Dependent Co-arising SN 12.2 there is no creator/belief involved in the practise. We are the ones who create suffering for ourselves. We are also the ones who can liberate ourselves from suffering.
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