I want to learn Buddhism to practice as a way of life!! Christians = do not send me warnings. I know how you are. I am a simple, unmaterialistic person wanting to be educated on Buddhism and to practice, to live it. I do want to be judged. This has happened all my life. I only want to learn this philosophy to practice daily to walk a peaceful life. To obtain inward peace and tranquility. If I need a teacher, so be it. That is fine with me. Can you provide me as much info. as possible how to walk as a Buddhist person. I do not want to preach it to people. I am not this way. I am a quiet person, one who thinks before speaking-choosing the better words to speak to another. I am kind to all people, even those who are not to me. I forgive others easily. It is my way. But I still have not obtained peace within. Is there a temple in the 92126 area code of Sand Diego California? Can you recommend some very good reading on the subject? Please do. Thank You for all your assistance people.
2006-10-13 06:42:12 · 13 answers · asked by Thomas 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
www.buddhanet.com
www.meditationthai.org
2006-10-13 06:44:57 · answer #1 · answered by Bright 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are not making any sense. You have been practicing for two years. Buddhists do not care if you leave your religion or stay in your religion. That has nothing at all to do with buddhism. What, one day you are a Christian and the next you are a Buddhist? ha ha ha ha! How about being a human being first. There is no reason to set up a shrine or alter. If you want to go ahead. How does a shrine or alter make you a buddhist? How does meditation make you a buddhist? How will quitting your Church make you a buddhist? How will practicing make you a buddhist? And yet you have been a buddhist for two years by learning and studying. Ha ha ha ha ha! If you see yourself as a Buddhist, does that make you a Buddhist? In there end, there is no practice. There is doing and not doing. That is simple to understand isn't it? If you pick up a guitar and learn a song, when does practice stop and playing begin? How many songs should you know before you are really playing and no longer practicing? Ha ha ha ha ha! Yes, by all means build a shrine and meditate daily.... then you will really be a Buddhist..... Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
2016-05-21 23:10:35 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buddhism is about seeking happiness from a peaceful mind and not from external conditions. It's about removing delusions (unpeaceful states of mind) and developing peaceful and positive minds such as love, compassion, patience and wisdom.
I believe you do need a Teacher. I would do a search on the internet for Buddhist centres in your area and attend a few introductory classes. This is a very good centre: http://www.meditationinsandiego.org/
I would recommend Transform Your Life by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, published by Tharpa Publications. It's a wonderful book that would repay a whole lifetime of study and meditation. You will never outgrow this book although it is very accessible and clear for beginners.
Good luck with your search!
2006-10-15 11:17:10 · answer #3 · answered by kpagpa 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you're interested in living a simple, unmaterialistic life, considering reading about Jesus, his life and what he taught in the Bible.
CONSIDER THIS: Jesus taught so much of what you mention above. He told the rich man to give away his material possessions. He taught forgiveness. He showed people how to live in peace and love. He taught about how to live a good, righteous life and how to pray. He healed sick people. He was kind to outcasts. He set the hypocrites straight. He taught how to help others, how to be generous, how to be forgiven, whether or not there's eternal life and so much more.
Perhaps you've been turned off by Christianity because you've seen Christians who are caught up in material wealth and other stuff. I can understand that, but I think you'd enjoy finding out what Jesus taught for yourself. In the end, I think you'll find it far more fulfilling than Buddhism...and a good road to finally getting peace within.
Just some food for thought. Best of luck on your journey!
P.S. I'd suggest grabbing a Bible and reading through one of the books of the Bible - Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. They give lots of good quotes from Jesus so you can learn what he really said and did.
2006-10-13 07:02:27 · answer #4 · answered by theologyandotherideas 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look up all these links; or go to:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koan
and go down to the bottom of the page where these are listed and click on each site til you find one you like, also I think there is actually a study page on one of them...have fun.
The Gateless Gate 48 Zen koans compiled in the early 13th century
Book of Serenity A collection of 100 koans, originally compiled in the 12th century
Zen Koans Link Explorer Links and information about Koans
Life at the Monastery - a humorous look at koans
Zen Buddhism Koan Study Pages
Zen Koans: Transcending Duality - a list of koans
What is the sound of one hand clapping?
One Drop Reveals the Ocean - a talk given by Geoffrey Shugen Arnold regarding Zhaozhou's Cypress
The Unconditioned in Buddhism, Zen, and Our Own Lives
Zen Koans
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koan"
2006-10-13 06:48:37 · answer #5 · answered by kickinupfunf 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are as many different kinds of Buddhism as there are kinds of Christianity.
What kind of Buddhist do you want to be? Do you know? That would be where you start. Go to the library. Pick up books and educate yourself on the various kinds of Buddhism. Then go from there.
Once you pick a branch you like, find a local community and join them.
I put a link below to a san diego reference site.
Fair warning, though. I left the church. I floundered for awhile. I've always been naturally contemplative.
They taught me to pray. And to meditate. Then guided me back to the faith of my birth. Catholicism.
2006-10-13 06:52:53 · answer #6 · answered by Max Marie, OFS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are all kinds of books on the many kinds of buddhsim. There is the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, there are thousands of books on Zen, etc... After some reading, you could prob talk to an expert. Depends on if you are interested in the philosophy or the religion also.
2006-10-13 06:45:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
At the beginning of my path I got the most out of Buddha's own words in the Dhammapada. Then just keep studying everything available about the topic.
Then you are fortunate to have this temple in your area. They can give you guidance as well.
2006-10-13 06:59:39 · answer #8 · answered by a_delphic_oracle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I recomend the Japanese author Osho. He's written quite a number of books.
2006-10-13 06:46:25 · answer #9 · answered by Theodore K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know why you want to convert but I'm sure that Islam is a better choice.
Think about it. It doesn't take this much effort to convert as you stated in case of this faith.
Read more about Islam and you will not lose any thing to explore it.
http://www.islamicity.com/
Best regards,
2006-10-13 06:48:46 · answer #10 · answered by MUSLIM 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm afraid that I don't know anything about the faith, but here's a site I found that might explain it better. Best wishes
http://buddhism.about.com/library/blbud101.htm.
2006-10-13 06:51:13 · answer #11 · answered by Odindmar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋