How do I become a Buddhist?

Question

I've been wanting to convert for quite some time, and I find this best suits me. I live In Cumberland County Maine, anything by me?

Answer 1

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.
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everyone of us are basically kind, compassionate, wise and loving- irregardless whether you are buddhists , muslims, hindus, chritsians, catholics, jewish, etc...

buddhism is depends more on understanding , than blind faith.

you don't have to 'BE' a buddhist to practise compassion, love, wisdom. these qualities are in all of us, be they christians, catholics, muslims, jews, hindus, wiccans, atheists, etc.

So do not impulsively rush into Buddhism. Take your time, ask questions, consider carefully, and then make your decision.

As most higher religions promote values like honesty, kindness, generosity, courage and integrity, Buddhism sees them not as dangerous competitors but as allies in man's quest for liberation.

Answer 2

It would be best to join a good temple or Buddhist group, support them, be supported by them and continue to learn more about the Buddha's teachings. Then, when you are ready, you would formally become a Buddhist by taking the Three Refuges.

Taking Refuge in the Buddha is a confident acceptance of the fact that one can become fully enlightened and perfected just as the Buddha was. Taking Refuge in the Dhamma means understanding the Four Noble Truths and basing one's life on the Noble Eightfold Path. Taking Refuge in the Sangha means looking for support, inspiration and guidance from all who walk the Noble Eightfold Path. Doing this one becomes a Buddhist and thus takes the first step on the path towards Nirvana.

http://www.buddhanet.net/

Answer 3

buddha's words were only recorded FIVE HUNDRED years after he died.

can you imagine the amount of discrepancies? that explains all the different different sects, and different focuses, and different ideologies.

oh, and the different buddhas..

Answer 4

Walk up to a hotdog stand and say 'make me one with everything'.

Answer 5

leave your mind and become one

Answer 6

you dont sign up, you just believe