a question about buddhism?

Question

I want to become a Buddhist but i do not know that much about the religion and i do not really know how to tell my parents. any ideas?
any good sites on Buddhism?

Answer 1

If u want to say your idea to parents do it step by step.

Here are some facts about Buddhism.

Buddhism

Buddha did not represent another powerful invisible figure to preach his knowledge and was his own master. To the layman he taught how to live a good, sincere, happy and a purposeful life and proposed some guidelines to follow to achieve these objectives. Those who do good deeds are rewarded with positive results and vice versa he said. He also said those who want to improve the mind should practice to eliminate selfishness, hatred, anger and ignorance. He said right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration will lead to cessation of sorrow and to attain Nirvana the ultimate peace.

Buddha

Buddha, unlike in some religions did not represent another powerful invisible figure to preach his knowledge. He was his master and preached the knowledge he gained through enlightenment. To the layman he taught how to live a good, sincere, happy and a purposeful life and proposed some guidelines to follow to achieve these objectives. For the intellectuals he said the life is sorrow and taught the way to eliminate the sorrow, by enlightenment. Enlightenment could only be attained through improvement of knowledge thus the improvement of conscious or mind hence some consider it as a philosophy. Worshiping is not a requirement in Buddhism though many do it as a habit and a custom.

Long before Newton, Buddha said every action has a reaction including in all conscious deeds. Those who do good deeds shall be rewarded with positive results and those who do harmful actions (with a evil intension) may experience in adverse results. The results of our righteous or sinful deeds Buddha said shall follow our soul in subsequent lives. Apart from heaven and hell he also said there are other forms of lives after this life.

Just like in thousands of present day books which provide self improvement techniques. Buddha provided an enormous amount of advice to the layman to improve one's self. He said selfishness, hatred, anger and ignorance prevent one from self improvement. One who want to improve the mind should learn to eliminate these four status of mind. He said right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration will lead to cessation of Sorrow.

Improved Mind

Buddha is said to have supernatural powers such as reading others thoughts. We already know some people possess super natural powers and extra ordinary abilities. Such status could be achieved by improving one's mind thought it is not the ultimatum of the Buddhism. Self improvement or the learning process since the childhood is a way of improving our mind or thinking. It is by improvement of one's mind that the truth could be understood.

It is not necessary for anyone (including Buddhists) to believe in Buddha or his teaching if they do not wish to. It is up to the individual to understand what he teaches.


Buddhism is a very logical religion which reveals about the mind ,life ,and the nature of the world.
There are two types of Buddhist followers in the world.They are
1. Theravada Buddhist followers (Sri Lankans,Thailanders,)
2.Mahayana Buddhist followers (Chinese,Japanese,)

I am a Theravada Buddhist.To learn more about Theravada Buddhism go to Buddhist web sites and read Buddhist books.
To have a great idea about Buddhism and how it is different from other religions you have to read lot of different articles about Buddhism.You have to be patient.You can't learn Buddhism in one day.They are lot of Buddhist temples around the world search for Buddhist temples in your country and go and meet Buddhist monks there.

Here are few links for sme good Buddhist websites.

1.http://www.metta.lk/
2.http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bullitt/theravada.html

Answer 2

www.buddhanet.net is a good start and you can branch out from there. You'll learn the basics (the 4 Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path) and then work your way up to deciding if Zen, Tibetan, etc. (Mahayana/Vajrayana vehicles) or (Hinayana) appeals to you the most and then you start studying text within that discipline.

Word to the wise passed from my teachers to me and, from me, humbly to you: Before you take ANYONE as a teacher, you must spend time watching and researching the prospective teacher to ensure they're teaching you true Buddhism per the Buddha's criteria. A good book to read, which can be downloaded online: Alexander Berzin's "Relating To A Spiritual Teacher"... it's a must read. It can also be bought at any Buddhist bookstore or website such as SnowLionPub.com or WisdomPubs.org

May you find your path and happiness

_()_

Answer 3

Buddhism is roughly 2,000 years old and is a breakaway from the Hindu religion. It's appeal came from that you do not have to worship Gods, and that it rejected the caste system and sacrificial cults. It does share some core beliefs, such as karma and reincarnation.

Buddhism is about seeking dharma and achieving nirvana. There are dozens of books on the subject and of people's experiences. Don't tell your parents until you are fully aware of what you are getting into.

Answer 4

www.religioustolerance.org has some good articles on Buddhism.

Telling your parents is the toughie. For a good idea, search for "coming out of the broom closet". You'll get information on how Wiccans tell others about their beliefs, but it might be applicable to Buddhism.

Bright blessings!

Answer 5

Really? Does Buddhism strive for peace? Look at Sri Lanka, for example. Most Sinhalese are Buddhist but I see no peace in Sri Lanka. You may argue that the Tamils in Sri Lanka are the reason for the violence -- but then the Sinhalese do respond in kind.

Answer 6

well im a buddhist and i can tell u so much about it but it'll take too long wut u should do is go to uh wikipedia i think or google and search it they have a lot of legit infos bout it and temples always help bout the parents thing im not sure so sorry

Answer 7

it's just mainy about being good and peaceful like all religions but it's also abot not being into material things i don't know all the details try looking it up on wikipedia.com ot google

Answer 8

Please go to :http://www.bswa.org
the above is one of the best site to learn about Buddhist.They have audio,video,forum,etc.Ajahn Bhramavamso is very cool.
Good luck and may you find the truth.