Tell Me ! How Do You become a Buddhist?
Question: Hi! I am a girl of 13 years who want to "be" Buddhist, but have heard that one and the other on how to "become" Buddhist. Have heard that I had to study for 6 years or something - out of school, and it .. it will be too much for me :-)
Wondered whether you might be in the league could have given me some info there, and preferably not just a link to information. But, you have little time, so is the link much better than nothing
Answer: SOME religions such as Christianity or Islam have their own rituals which means that from now on, you are Christian or Muslim.
This may be because these religions are based on a single all-powerful creator that you either can believe in (good) or not (bad). But this is not Buddhism. It is based on the teachings of the Buddha as far as we can follow what is handed over from him and the traditions that have evolved in different Buddhist schools. So if I should answer some simple, one is a Buddhist if you believe that one is Buddhist. At the same time when the environment expect that in one way or another follows the teachings of Buddha :-)
This may be because these religions are based on a single all-powerful creator that you either can believe in (good) or not (bad). But this is not Buddhism. It is based on the teachings of the Buddha as far as we can follow what is handed over from him and the traditions that have evolved in different Buddhist schools. So if I should answer some simple, one is a Buddhist if you believe that one is Buddhist. At the same time when the environment expect that in one way or another follows the teachings of Buddha :-)
Here at Web sites of the Buddhist Association provides links to Buddhist groups that are affiliated to BF and to anyone else. I suggest you look a little on these websites if it's something you might like to follow up further.
There are two things that are necessary so that it makes any sense "to become a Buddhist."
The first and most important "thing" is that you think that it is possible to be a better person than you are now, that it is possible to work with itself, that it is meaningful to try to develop.
The other thing is that you do what is called "Taking refuge in the Three Jewels." Taking refuge means that you find something that gives meaning to life, to find some kind of assurance or certainty that they have related to what one might call the deepest or most meaningful in life - what holds where other things or interests turns out to give a false sense of security, and provide support, understanding and methods to achieve meaning and happiness all the way forward.
The first and most important "thing" is that you think that it is possible to be a better person than you are now, that it is possible to work with itself, that it is meaningful to try to develop.
The other thing is that you do what is called "Taking refuge in the Three Jewels." Taking refuge means that you find something that gives meaning to life, to find some kind of assurance or certainty that they have related to what one might call the deepest or most meaningful in life - what holds where other things or interests turns out to give a false sense of security, and provide support, understanding and methods to achieve meaning and happiness all the way forward.
Whether we realize it or not we all take refuge in something, something we invest a lot of energy, money and attention in. For some, this may be a football career, sex, or a hobby like. vintage cars. Whatever.
As long as you do not harm others with it as it is in itself nothing wrong in all this, but the problem is that all things go to pieces, things and states are transitory, even we ourselves, so when this happens, we experience loss, and we are easily unhappy. The only thing that is not perishable - and where happiness and suffering occurs - is our own mind or consciousness. Therefore, one should try to work with the mind or consciousness to find out what leads to happiness and what does not.
As long as you do not harm others with it as it is in itself nothing wrong in all this, but the problem is that all things go to pieces, things and states are transitory, even we ourselves, so when this happens, we experience loss, and we are easily unhappy. The only thing that is not perishable - and where happiness and suffering occurs - is our own mind or consciousness. Therefore, one should try to work with the mind or consciousness to find out what leads to happiness and what does not.
That's why you, as a Buddhist takes refuge in the Three Jewels. Taking refuge in the Buddha means that you are trying to reach her Buddha potential, because everyone has the opportunity to find what gives real happiness, peace, freedom and compassion, that Buddhists call Buddhahood (better: the Buddha stage), or the Waking state ( Buddha means the awakened ").
Taking refuge in the Dharma (or Dhamma) means that one chooses to use the methods that the historical Buddha taught and is still effective, especially because they still lead people to enlightenment.
And finally, we take refuge in Sangha, which means those who practice the same methods as us, in a community. Having good friends can not be overstated. Therefore, one should avoid the false friends who leads us in the wrong direction, and instead of providing us with friends who help us to develop properly.
Taking refuge in the Sangha can be understood in several ways: 1) Those who have practiced Buddhist methods and have come very far in their practice and therefore can really help us if we listen to them. One can understand that 2) those who are ordained (monks and nuns), 3) those who are like us, but who also have taken refuge, and 4) All people.
The last one should not try while you are a beginner, but when one's practice is good and stable, one can learn something from everyone, especially qv those who behave badly towards us.
We can, for example. practicing patience and compassion with "difficult people" and it can do to speed up developing the qualities that lead to enlightenment.
Taking refuge in the Sangha can be understood in several ways: 1) Those who have practiced Buddhist methods and have come very far in their practice and therefore can really help us if we listen to them. One can understand that 2) those who are ordained (monks and nuns), 3) those who are like us, but who also have taken refuge, and 4) All people.
The last one should not try while you are a beginner, but when one's practice is good and stable, one can learn something from everyone, especially qv those who behave badly towards us.
We can, for example. practicing patience and compassion with "difficult people" and it can do to speed up developing the qualities that lead to enlightenment.
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