I am currently officially catholic but I was forced to be one at my birth. It wasn't my choice and never liked it.
I want to become a Buddhist. How can I become one?
2007-09-15 04:30:27 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
One doesn't "become" one as "Buddhist" is merely a label. You don't need to announce you are one, you don't need to denounce you are no longer Catholic.
Buddhism doesn't "force" people to do anything. If you want to "practice" (not follow) then buy a book and get familiar with some of the basics.
Meditation is a MAJOR part in Buddhism, it is a big part of the practice. One could learn to meditate. The best bet is to find a Buddhist temple as they will often teach meditation techniques.
Welcome to the path to enlightenment. You will learn to understand the difference between a "religious" belief and actual "fact." You've chosen "reality" which is awesome!
But, remember, don't believe anything you hear and always make sure to test it yourself. Constantly ask 'why' and never accept anything. The minute you do you are no longer practicing but following like one can easily do in the other religions.
Someone suggested "stay catholic, others try to entice you with beliefs" - She is confused as she is doing that EXACT same thing with her comment. Beliefs are dangerous and this is a prime example of just that.
2007-09-15 04:47:34 · answer #1 · answered by Corvus 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you need to do some research. Read up on Buddhism, find a local community of Buddhists by doing a Yahoo groups search or looking in your phone book yellow pages. Not liking your Catholic church is not necessarily a reason to choose a new religion. Take the time to find out more about the religion and see if it fits with you. I might even suggest reading and praying about as many religions as you can. See where God leads you.
2007-09-15 04:42:58 · answer #2 · answered by C C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bill w is right. Buddhist is not a religion.
Or you can follow others, find a temple be baptized as a buddhist, give some donation, get your certification ( or maybe give more donation to get a Certification), then have the Certificate hanged with Silver or Gold frame, then you can tell all your friends to visit and see you new Gem (or simply get a mic and speaker and say "I am a certified Buddha follower!). Hehehehe.
I am Karma Gyurme Rinchen.
Buddha said, "Don't take my words as laws, orders, truth, etc .... But, 'cut' (the words) piece by piece and 'see' them through the microscope."
2007-09-15 05:02:36 · answer #3 · answered by emilights 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Buddhist. Hahaha...cool!! welcome to the family. We there is something similar to "baptizing" for Buddhism in which we call take refuge. Like taking refuge with the Buddha for hep on the path to enlightenment. Its a big step though. and I'd really suggest you understand a religion first before decided to really go into it. yeah? if you're really sure Buddhism is for you then you could go to a temple near your house and ask some of the monks there. they could probably help. But the thing about Buddhism is that there are alot of different "sects" you could join. There are 3 main types. So know which one seems to fit you. I dun really remember the names but each has a different philosophy as to how to attain enlightenment. So do read up...Sorry but this is as far as i could help. If you really need anything else, do tell me
Cheers.
Most importantly, stay happy
2007-09-15 04:37:46 · answer #4 · answered by Steffi T 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe the Tibetan Government in Exile web site has a search engine for finding Buddhist Dharma centers in the U.S., and Canada.
2007-09-15 04:35:54 · answer #5 · answered by anthro-utopia 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'd prefer to make clean that Buddhism does no longer p.c. out itself as a faith, yet as an training :) Buddhists do no longer prefer to segregate themselves from human beings of different religions like how some religions motivate. Buddhists can prepare different non secular trip journeys (which includes Christmas, Hanukkah etc etc) because of the fact back, Buddhism isn't a faith with 'codes' and 'conventions' and 'regulations' and 'regulations' etc. Buddhists do no longer worship Buddha, Buddha advance right into a guy who stumbled on Enlightenment, and so Buddhists study the existence of Buddha interior the wish that they too will attain Enlightenment. yet Buddhism is barely one way of achieving Enlightenment (Thaddeus Golas says "Enlightenment does not care the way you get there"). i think in precis, Buddhism is approximately residing in solidarity with the worldwide. Vegetarianism is inspired, yet no longer needed. you're actually not a 'undesirable' Buddhist in case you eat meat. I propose i could write an entire thesis on what Enlightenment 'is', yet in reality, that's realising that we are related to each thing in this universe, all of us got here from, and belong to, a similar existence-stress (this existence-stress which Christians elect to call God, which Muslims elect to call Allah, etc). that's approximately disconnecting from the recommendations, that's the source of all soreness, and re-figuring out with our real Self. Buddhists do no longer hate on different religions, there are actually not any regulations on a thank you to be a 'applicable' Buddhist and the thank you to do Buddhism the 'staggering' way. i hit upon such non secular convenience in Buddhism because of the fact they settle for you from in spite of your history is, and there is in no way any forcing of doctrine like I fairly have experienced with particular different ideals. maximum of all, Buddhists purely prefer to stay existence happy! :) I deliver love and advantages to you buddy, have a great day!
2016-10-04 15:10:55 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You pick up a book/CD (Jack Kornfield has CD's for Beginners) and you just start practicing the dharma. No real bells and whistles. If you have a good monk in your area you should attend dharma teachings but it only starts with reaching for the first teachings. Also people will recommend buddha.net which is an excellent resource. Namaste
2007-09-15 04:35:17 · answer #7 · answered by Yogini 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look for a Buddhist temple in your area and start connecting with other Buddhist.
Peace, Love, and Blessings
Greenwood
2007-09-15 04:33:10 · answer #8 · answered by Greenwood 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I also was Roman Catholic and became Buddhist about twenty years ago. I belong to SGI USA and chant the words
NamMyoHoRengeKyo. There are meetings all over the country, Email me,and I wlll help you get in touch.
2007-09-15 05:10:49 · answer #9 · answered by glad you asked 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Where do you live? If you live in the United States, seems to me you would want to become something others are here in this area. There are many religons in this area. As the old saying goes,"When in Rome, do as the Romans do." This means " do what is conventional in the area you live in".
In fact , you dont have to follow any religon. Just pray to the Lord who made you. If you follow your heart, there He is.
2007-09-15 04:38:00 · answer #10 · answered by cjam 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋