i'd like to become a buddhist, where is the best place to get reliable information about where to start?

Answer 1

Good Luck Niamah.

But find out about Buddhism first before you decide.

Find and go to a local Buddhist centre or Meditation group and experience a Meditation.

Learn about the core beliefs and tenets of Buddhism. I think you will find they have a lot in common with Mosaic Law.

Integrity without Knowledge is Weak and Useless,
and Knowledge Without Integrity is Dangerous and Dreadful.
-- Dr Samuel Johnson, English author, poet, critic & lexicographer (1709-1784)

One should ONLY choose something when one KNOWS about something.

One should NEVER choose anything until one understands it first.

Nothing so important and precious as one's Spiritual Journey should be so easy, or given to one on a plate, otherwise what is the point, and what has one learnt?

Buddhism like Judaism wasn't meant to be easy.

I am not talking about self-abasement. Please think about it.

Spiritual Enlightenment has to be learned and worked for.

If Religion and Spiritual Enlightenment are easy than both the Religion and ourselves are diminished.

Only easy and ritualistic religions are for the masses.

Learn about Vietnamese, Thai, Tibetan, Mongolian and Korean Buddhism. I think they are most representative of the BEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL in Buddhist Traditions.

Also watch the beautiful fantastic stunning complex yet simple profound Korean Buddhist fable and film classic "Bom yeoreum gaeul gyeoul geurigo bom" or "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...And Spring" about the lives of Buddhist monks.

An accomplished, contemplative work rooted in the philosophy of Buddhism.
-- George Wu, New York

I intended to portray the joy, anger, sorrow and pleasure of our lives through four seasons and through the life of a Budhhist monk who lives in a temple on Jusan Pond surrounded only by nature.
-- Kim Ki-duk, DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

The film may not lead to enlightenment, but it may be a start!

Best Wishes and Good Luck

Learning without Thinking is Labour Lost;
Thinking without Learning is Perilous.
-- Kung Fu Tze (Confucius)

In order that all men may be taught to speak Truth, it is necessary that all likewise should learn to hear it. -- Dr Samuel Johnson

PS Dawn, Buddhist Reincarnation has got nothing to do with your parents in genetic terms only spiritual terms. It is said you can't choose your parents, but Buddhism says that is exactly what you do in Spiritual terms to answer your calling.
Dawn, you have it all wrong, the ultimate goal is certainly not to go into unconsciousness, but the opposite. Buddhism is about raising consciousness and awareness, through meditation for example, to reach Enlightenment or Nirvana. Nirvana is a state where one has escaped the world of cause-and-effect, and transcended the world of human desire.

Answer 2

Get an introductory book. Buddhism is not a religion, necessarily, as much as a philosophy. I'd recommend starting with a book, such as: Lama Surya Das- Awaken the Buddha Within, or Steven Bachelor-Buddhism Without Beliefs. Tricycle and Shambhala Sun magazines are a good starting point, too.
Finally, look for a local Sangha, which is the sanskrit name for a group of buddhists who practice (meditate) together.
Good Luck !

Answer 3

Start by searching the Internet for the basics of the belief. Most cities have Buddhists and places to learn and worship. Contact one of them. Where I live, Zen Buddhists have an active place of worship, always opened to people for learning.

Answer 4

Where do you live?
Look on the Internet and find you're nearest Buddhist center. They will guide you from there. If you live in London, the Buddhist center is in central London, near Holborn.
Ignore the folks who says bad things.
Buddhism is filled with peace, love and happiness, and I approve of you're choice.

Answer 5

Best site I've seen is here;

http://www.buddhanet.net/

Gives so much info and wonderful stories too. I love fairy tales and loved researching Buddhism as its an interesting theory/ism.

My thoughts are that Buddha just didnt want to be married with all those children anymore so he took the selfish way out and abandoned them...meditated his brains out to get inner peace and blamed it on nobody....I will do what I want, when I want and you can please yourself in what you think...its all good? And I will love you anyway...but in my own good time, if I see fit. If I dont, its because its nobodies fault (passive-aggressiveness). But thats just my take.

Mind you I'm athiest or agnostic...havent made up my mind yet about anything concrete. I hope that you do find peace in whatever you do.

Answer 6

You can:

1) Find out if there are any local buddhist temples near you

2) Research on the web

3) This is bit extreme but go to places like Nepal or Tibet to experience first hand what it is like to be a buddhist

4) Most extreme method - ask Steven Segal!

Answer 7

If you don't already have reliable information, or a place to start, how do you know you want to become a buddist???

Answer 8

YOU HAVE CHOSEN THE CLEVEREST PATH IN UR LIFE. ONE DAY ULL BE HAPPY BCOZ U R DOING THE RIGHT THING. IF U LIKE TO TRAVEL U CAN FIND ABOUT BUDDHISM FROM

INDIA, SRI LANKA, CHINA

OR ELSE USE INTERNET TO FIND OUT THE NEAREST BUDDHIST TEMPLE TO UR LOCATION.


DO THE RIGHT THING AND DONT PANIC.
GOOD LUCK

Answer 9

there might be a yoga studio or a meditation center in your area that has a teacher who is a buddhist. that is how i got started.

Answer 10

Here are some facts: They believe in reincarnation, but how does it help you if you cannot remember your past life?
When your born you are half of each parent so how could you be 100% of the person you were before? The ultimate goal is to go into unconsciousness. That is what the bible holds out for the first time. Eccl. 9:5 The living are conscience that they will die but the dead are conscience of nothing at all.
You are dust and to dust you will return. there is more unanswered questions than answered ones in this religion.