How can I become a Buddhist?

Question

U ppl Know nothing!

Answer 1

You asked a very general question.I will give you a definition of who is a Buddhist;then you can work from there.

"Those to whom the Dhamma is clear
are not led into other doctrines;
Perfectly enlightened with perfect knowledge,
they walk evenly over the uneveness."

Samyutta Nikaya I,4

Definition of who is a Buddhist:
1.Knowledge of the dhamma
2.Confidence in the Buddha,Dhamma and Sangha
3.The proper practice of generosity
4.Shame and fear and loathing to perform unwholesome deeds.
5.Genuine,constructive regret if one does perform an unwholesome deed.
6.Morality or virture ;active practice of wholesome deed.
7.Wisdom in seeing things as they really are by development of insight through Insight Meditation.

Answer 2

You become a Buddhist by studying and trying to understand Buddhist theology. It is not as simple for some as it seems.

My first exposure to Buddhist teachings was 40 years ago. I could understand how it could work if one believed the thing that it was saying but at the time I just could not quite leave my childhood religious upbringing behind. I have spent years studying Buddhist ideas and text an I am finally able to bring these ideas fully into my belief system, even if I fail at times to reflect these beliefs in my actions.

It may not be as difficult you you as it is for me because I am in Ohio without a Buddhist community in sight.

I suggest that you start with something simple like any of the books that the Dali Lama has written. They are good for beginners because he speaks from the heart, not just from the head.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 3

Simply & easily by joining the Three Refuges and undertaking
the Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed,
with clean bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue,
and bows first three times so that feet, hands, elbows, knees and
head touch the floor. Then, with joined palms in front of the heart,
one recite these memorized lines in a loud, calm & steady voice:

As long as this life lasts:
I hereby take refuge in the Buddha.
I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma.
I hereby take refuge in the Sangha.

I seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.
I seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.
I seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time.

I request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time.
I request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.

I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs.
As long as this life lasts...

Then one keeps and protects these sacred vows better than one's own
eyes & children, since they protects you & all other beings much better
than any army! They are the highest offer one can give in & to this world!
This is the very start on the path towards Nibbāna -the Deathless Element-
This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Bliss, initiated by Morality,
developed further by Dhamma-Study and fulfilled by training Meditation...
If any wish an official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha, they may simply
forward the lines starting with "I.." signed with name, date, town & country
to me. I have then out up a public list of this newly born Saddhamma Sangha.
Here: http://what-buddha-said.net/sangha/saddh...
May your journey hereby be eased, light, swift and sweet. Never give up !!!

Answer 4

i might want to opt for to make sparkling that Buddhism does no longer locate itself as a faith, yet as an training :) Buddhists do not opt for to segregate themselves from human beings of alternative religions like how some religions encourage. Buddhists can prepare different religious holidays (at the same time with Christmas, Hanukkah etc etc) because back, Buddhism isn't a faith with 'codes' and 'conventions' and 'guidelines' and 'guidelines' etc. Buddhists do no longer worship Buddha, Buddha replaced right into a guy who chanced on Enlightenment, and so Buddhists study the existence of Buddha contained in the wish that they too will attain Enlightenment. yet Buddhism is barely one way of attaining Enlightenment (Thaddeus Golas says "Enlightenment would not care the way you get there"). i wager in precis, Buddhism is about residing in cohesion with the international. Vegetarianism is inspired, yet no longer needed. you at the on the spot are not a 'undesirable' Buddhist in case you devour meat. I advise i might want to write an finished thesis on what Enlightenment 'is', yet truly, it truly is realising that we are linked to each little thing in this universe, all of us got here from, and belong to, a similar existence-stress (this existence-stress which Christians opt for to call God, which Muslims opt for to call Allah, etc). it truly is about disconnecting from the options, it truly is the source of all soreness, and re-figuring out with our authentic Self. Buddhists do no longer hate on different religions, there aren't any guidelines on a thanks to be a 'suitable' Buddhist and a thanks to do Buddhism the 'correct' way. i hit upon such religious convenience in Buddhism because they settle for you from inspite of your historic past is, and there is by no potential any forcing of doctrine like I have experienced with particular different beliefs. maximum of all, Buddhists merely opt for to stay existence satisfied! :) I deliver love and advantages to you pal, have a tremendous day!

Answer 5

Do your research on it firstly Buddism is a great religion but it has some pretty powerful theories in it like Karma, so make sure this sits with you fine. Then go to a Buddist temple and talk to a monk there

Answer 6

a good website on Buddhist studies/meditations

http://www.buddhanet.net/

Answer 7

I have only been A Student of Buddhism for a little over a year. Others such as Anger Eating Demon and Vinslave have provided an answer, have been a Buddhist much, much longer than I, and are much more qualified to provide you with a much better answer, but I share with you a little anyway.
Buddhism is not something one chooses to learn about on a whim, but for a Buddhist, or a student of Buddhism, such as myself,
it is something that can only really be understood fully, through applying it, as you learn. In Buddhism, one learns, and at the same time practices The Four Noble Truths and The Noble Eightfold Path. Most people have only a fair understanding of Buddhism,
as being a philosophy of life {not really a religion - for their is no creator god) that practices No Harm toward others, and a philosophy which practices meditation
a lot. While this is true, there is so much more to Buddhism. Reading about Siddhartha Gautama's {The first Buddha) life is where most people start, and that is good. I personally started by learning about meditation, in order to practice it daily in life.
So I'll briefly share from this perspective.
In Mindfulness (Insight/Vipassana) Meditation we learn to attentively listen to our own Thoughts, non-judgmentally, without being caught up in them.
*The object of Vipassana practice is to learn to see the Truths of impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and the selflessness of
phenomena.
*The Pali term for Insight Meditation is Vipassana Bhavana. Bhavana comes from the root bhu, meaning to grow or to become
Bhavana means to cultivate the mind;
mental cultivation.
*Vipassana is derived from two roots being
Passana meaning seeing or perceiving, and
Vi, which is a prefix with a complex set of connotations that can be roughly translated as "in a special way" and also into and through "a special way."
*The whole meaning of the word Vipassana
is looking into something with clarity and
precision, seeing each component as distinct, and piercing all the way through to
perceive the most fundamental reality of that
thing.
**This process leads to insight into the basic reality of whatever is being examined.
Put these words together and Vipassana
Bhavana means the cultivation of the mind toward the aim of seeing in a special way that leads to insight and Full understanding.
As a Buddhist, or a student of Buddhism practices Vipassana Bhavana he or she clearly sees things, people, situations as they really are. It enables us to see into the true nature of things, without [what I call, as an R.N.] mental, emotional or spiritual cataracts. Vipassana Bhavana is the Buddhist means of erradicating all mental, emotional, and spiritual unwholesome, unproductive faculties. Then replacing them with wholesome, productive faculties, which we learn to cultivate on a daily basis.
Loving-kindness Meditation helps us to cultivate wholesome factors, but the benefits of Loving-kindness meditations are not permanent. The benefits of Insight (Vispassana Bhavana) meditation are permanent. Both forms of Meditation:
Vispassana Bhavana, and Samatha {loving-kindness) Meditation must be practiced daily. The more time a person can put into this practice, the more effective it is/the more benefits will be acquired.
Practicing the entire Eightfold Path daily is necessary in a Buddhists daily life.
There is so much to explain, but time does not permit me to share any longer.

Anger Eating Demon, and a person by the name of Vinslave are much more experienced Buddhists than I am as a Student of Buddhism, and you can learn so much more from them.
*"Always remember though, that studying Buddhism does not give a person a clear understanding of what Buddhism is all about, 'one has to practice it, as they learn.'"
Buddhism helps lessen, then eventually ends the dissatisfactions/sufferings in life, helps us greatly acquire a stable peace of mind, and brings Happiness into a person's life.

Thank You for giving me the opportunity to provide an answer to your question. Hope this has helped a little.

Two excellent books to start out for one interested in studying AND "practicing" Buddhism are (1) Mindfulness in Plain English (2) Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness.
Both book by: Bhante Henepola Gunaratana
The first teaches Insight [Mindfulness] meditation, the second teaches how to Mindfully learn and practice the Eightfold Path of Buddhism.

Have a great week, and weekend.

Answer 8

Just type "Buddhist religion " into your search bar. You'll get a big choice of sites with lots of info.

Answer 9

Just believe in yourself... hope that you're good enough to forgive yourself of all your sin. You will also have to believe that if, by chance you're not good enough in this life to forgive yourself of your heart's desire to put yourself on the "throne" of your life, you can be reincarnated to try it again in your next life. The penalty for a sinful heart is death, because Buddha cannot allow any sin into his eternal home. You can try and try and try and try to erase your own guilt by being good enough, but how much is "enough"?

OR

You could trust Jesus Christ to completely erase your sin. He will take them away from your being, and in God's sight, you will be "justified" or it will be "just-as-if-I'd" never sinned in the first place. You can choose to let Jesus be the 'peace' between yourself and God through Jesus Christ, through whom we gain access by faith into God's amazing grace. Then you will be able to open the door of your heart to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to you. You will find yourself standing where you always hoped you could stand--out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting your praise!

Answer 10

The guy b4 stole my answer. Acid is the key to finding truth and meaning