I would like to convert to Buddhism, how can I do this officially?

Question

I already follow the teachings of the Buddha.

Answer 1

Talk to a Buddhist monk about it. There must be a temple near you. Look in the phone book, or go on line. The Dalai Lama has a good book titled " The art of Living." I just do a lot of reading and meditating. I guess you could call me a Christian/Jew/Buddhist. I use Buddhism as a way of life, not as a religion. Just like there are a lot of things to learn in Taoism also. Don't let the born again Christians get to you, for when they meet their maker, they are going to be in for a big surprise. Remember it is the spiritually you that counts. There are even some web sites that show Buddhism and Christianity going hand in hand. Good luck on your quest to enlightenment.

Answer 2

I don't know about the 'religious conversion' side of Buddhism but if you're interested in Zen Buddhism and using buddhism to have a direct experience of truth after getting on a path that seeks to reduce the ego, you can look to become a formal student, right? But you need to make sure the lineage of the teacher/school/monastery is valid -- lots of self-deluded people in the religious/sprituality field so ... Maybe ask the monks at Zen Mountain Monastery for more info - send them an email, etc. -- they're very helpful: http://www.mro.org/contactus.html

Answer 3

Simply speaking, this is to avoid harming others and to help them as much as possible. Another way of expressing this is, Abandon negative action; create perfect virtue; subdue your own mind. This is the teaching of the Buddha. By abandoning negative actions (killing, etc.) and destructive motivations (anger, attachment, close-mindedness, etc.), we stop harming ourselves and others. By creating perfect virtue, we develop beneficial attitudes, like impartial love and compassion, and do actions motivated by these thoughts. By subduing our mind, we cut away all false projections, thus making ourselves calm and peaceful by understanding reality.

The essence of Buddha’s teachings is also contained in the three principles of the path: definite emergence, the dedicated heart and wisdom realizing emptiness. Initially, we seek definitely to emerge from the confusion of our problems and their causes. Then, we see that other people also have problems, and with love and compassion, we dedicate our heart to becoming a Buddha so that we are capable of helping others extensively. In order to do this, we develop the wisdom understanding the real nature of ourselves and other phenomena.

Buddhism depends more on understanding than faith.

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In one way being a Buddhist means belonging to a particular community of people and following a path of life taught by the Buddhas (enlightened beings). Members of the Buddhist community are formally joined by taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma (the teaching) and the Sangha (the community of noble disciples).

Answer 4

If you are following the path then you are Buddhist, no need to "convert". If you want to join a community then visit some temples or schools. The Pure Country sects practice a version that deliberately uses a lot of christian idioms. They are also referred to as Vietnamese style Buddhist.

Answer 5

The only initiation rites in Buddhism are ordination rites for male-only Buddhist monks.

There is no formal conversion for anybody--no rite of initiation at all.

Just say that you're Buddhist, and you are Buddhist.

Answer 6

IF you need to officially do it and need it in writing you're doing it for the wrong reasons. The conversion is in your heart, take up a book, attend a temple, unlike some religions buddhists welcome all and not judge

Answer 7

Don't do it! y Buddha isn't real! God is, he created you, he gave his Son to die for you on the cross to take YOUR sins away! Why worship someone (something) that is dead, and doesn't know you?!
God IS living and cares for you deeply...

Answer 8

just take your life, and meet him in his room of flames

Answer 9

You just did. Now BE.

Answer 10

imagine the sound of one hand clapping, there all done.