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11-23-2011, 07:40 AM | #1 |
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Please forgive me if I have put up too many threads. I know I have put up a lot. I am not trying to dominate the forum. I hope I don't seem like i'm trying to.
I just have read articles that don't agree about how to become a Buddhist. I was told by some before on this website that there is no set way to become a Buddhist and that you don't have to do any certain ritual. However, this website says that if you don't have acess to a monk that you need to look at a statute or image or the Buddha and say this formula in Pali. I think it says you have to bow too. I am confused. This is the webiste. Is this accurate? http://www.parami.org/duta/buddhist.htm |
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11-23-2011, 07:52 AM | #2 |
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Hi David,
I'm not familiar with the website in your link. It would be better for you to browse this website for any information that you want. Its a big site with lots of resources and has an educational section for learning about the basics: http://buddhanet.net/ Its also probably best if you continue to investigate the teachings of the Buddha for a while before worrying about formally becoming a 'Buddhist'. kind wishes Aloka |
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11-23-2011, 08:03 AM | #3 |
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Hi, David. I'm not sure why they think anything fundamental changes about you when you look at a statue and chant in Pali. That sort of thing is for your own benefit, to help you maintain your focus on and committment to the path. It's not a requirement. Whoever wrote that page on that website is...let's just say s/he's not very well informed.
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11-23-2011, 08:23 AM | #4 |
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Each of the Buddhist Traditions has a bit of a different method for newcommers who wish to follow the Dharma Teachings. Some people, myself included, took a formal Refuge vow with my Lama after having attended Teachings for a time and made a choice to commit.
However that is certainly not the only way to go. Mostly to me it has to do with the intent to embrace a different way of life The Formal Vows were good for me to help set myself while other people might find that to constraining. my advice would be to check out each of the schools and see which is the best fit for you before making a final choice. All the Best |
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11-23-2011, 08:27 AM | #5 |
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okay thank you, Aloka-D and FBM. Thank you Karma Yeshe also. I just saw your post when I posted this comment. I will look into the different traditions before making a final decision. I am still really confused I think about the process. It is discouraging to me that I don't have a Sangha.
When I was interested in Buddhism about a year ago I talked to a person from a sitting group in this small town where I live. She believed in the souls reincarnation after death and that scared me away from approaching that group. I am more opened minded now so her believing in reincarnation wouldn't really bother me at all. I wonder if I should try to get involved with that group again? But then again I don't have transportation to get to the group. I live in a really small town. I know I was told by a person on this website that she lived in a small town too. I just am really confused.I will keep investigating Buddhism more before becoming officially a "Buddhist". It is unlikely that I will be able to go to a Buddhist temple for a very long time. I don't have car insurance and I don't have any money as a way to get to get to a bigger city where there might be a temple. Also, I am getting mixed answers from written things online and in a book about rebirths being reincarnations of a soul. That people have past lives etc. Why does there seem to be a disagreement on this with things that Buddhists have written or said to me (not on this site, from previous experience)? Yeah, I had the feeling that the person on that website might not have been well informed. I guess I just don't understand why there are many views on how one becomes a Buddhist. It is confusing to me. Does everyone have their own story? One thing that i'm not used to is that there seems to be a mixture of opinion online. I also am not sure how much I should study and investigate before I try to officially go through some sort of "ritual" to become a Buddhist. I know I have asked about how to become a Buddhist before. I just don't get it. For example, in the Roman Catholic religion I went through a year of religious educating before being confirmed (fully brought into the Church). There was a specific way that you absolutely had to follow to become a Catholic. I do not consider myself to be a Catholic or a Christian in general anymore, but I don't understand the process of initiation into Buddhism. Is there one? Does it depend on what type of Buddhism you practice? I am very sorry if this is annoying or repetitive. I just am very confused and unsettled about this. I'm the type of person that likes to plan ahead and maybe that is a flaw of mine. |
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11-23-2011, 09:14 AM | #6 |
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11-23-2011, 09:15 AM | #7 |
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Re #5 -You will find that most Buddhists believe in rebirth but not of a 'soul' which is a Christian concept. Tibetan Buddhists believe in reincarnation which is slightly different.
There are also other Buddhists who don't believe in rebirth - and some like myself who are neutral about it and prefer to focus on the here and now in this lifetime. This Beginners forum is for questions and answers relating to the core teachings of the Buddha rather than detailed tradition-specific questions, by the way. However I wouldn't worry too much about different traditions at the moment if you don't have any access to centres . Take your time. First find out what the Buddha actually taught. Does everyone have their own story? Some members have posted about themselves in a thread in General Buddhist Discussions called "How did you come into contact with Buddhism ?" The link is below... http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries...-with-Buddhism |
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11-24-2011, 01:20 AM | #9 |
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There is no set way to become one, and don't be discouraged because you don't have a Sangha near you, having Buddhist friends (on this forum including Mio is just as good) is just as good. How I practice is by practicing loving kindness towards everyone even the people that most of society would deem "bad" or "evil". Did you know that we are born naturally good but as we grow up the worlds defilements is what turns us bad? The Buddha said that if we are not told that then we would not know. There is no one that is born naturally "bad". Practicing loving kindness towards everyone and patience you gradually wash away your impurities. "Little by little the wise one fills himself full, drop by drop the cup is filled." -The Buddha. There is a book called "Discourses by the Buddhas disciples." It's a very systematic book of the Buddhas teachings that his followers remembered and it's supposed to be what the Buddha said. Hope that helps.
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11-24-2011, 01:34 AM | #10 |
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That does help a lot. I guess I just want to feel like I can indetify myself as something. I know that i'm impermenant so it is not necessary to "be" anything. However, having some sort of religious identity would make me feel a lot happier. I have been atheistic for months now I think and I don't like not having any kind of world view. I am just searching I guess to have something meaningful in my life. Thank you for your advice. It makes me feel better. I agree with you about how no one is born evil.
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11-24-2011, 01:36 AM | #11 |
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Did you know that we are born naturally good but as we grow up the worlds defilements is what turns us bad? The Buddha said that if we are not told that then we would not know. There is no one that is born naturally "bad". Practicing loving kindness towards everyone and patience you gradually wash away your impurities.. There is a book called "Discourses by the Buddhas disciples." It's a very systematic book of the Buddhas teachings that his followers remembered and it's supposed to be what the Buddha said. Hope that helps. Hi EagerStudent,
I've also mentioned this in another thread, if you use quotes in your posts please give the title and the author, as well as a URL link. "Little by little the wise one fills himself full, drop by drop the cup is filled." -The Buddha Its not enough to just say this, you have to give a link to where you read it, because unfortunately there are a lot of misquotes on quote sites followed by the words "-the Buddha " so we often use more reliable Buddhist study sites for our information. I have also Googled "Discourses by the Buddhas disciples" and can't find the book you mentioned. Who is the translator or author? with kind wishes, A-D |
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11-24-2011, 04:44 AM | #12 |
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I just have read articles that don't agree about how to become a Buddhist. I was told by some before on this website that there is no set way to become a Buddhist and that you don't have to do any certain ritual. However, this website says that if you don't have acess to a monk that you need to look at a statute or image or the Buddha and say this formula in Pali. I think it says you have to bow too. I am confused. This is the webiste. Is this accurate? I have just looked at the site you mention , I think it is very genuine , it appears to be written by a javanise malaysian , practicing the indiginous buddhism quite typical in malaysia and thailand , what he writes is a very good and simple translation of the daily refuge prayer , followed by the five basic principles kept by the buddhist laity (the un ordained ) his simple instructions sugest that if you do not have access to a temple , you may take refuge infront of an immage of the buddha , by bowing down three times as on would when visiting a temple , this is simply a mark of respect , after bowing down infront of the buddha one normaly remains kneeling or seated cross leged infront of the buddha and recites the prayer given , this version is very nice , it is perfectly allright to use , I would be happy with this translation . simply by taking daily refuge in buddha the enlightened one ,..dharma the teachings of the buddha , ...and sangha nomaly concidered the ordained comunity(those suitably advanced to provide support , and deliver the buddhas teachings)...... now should you not be in the position to visit a temple and find the support of sangha face to face , (as hs happened throughout periods of many practitioners lives ) then it is best to follow some genuine guidance , this site seems very sincere and has been simply created to give such people who do not have a local temple a chance to follow simple daily practices . he allso gives links to other sites and I think you can down load and listen to refuge being chanted , this should be very nice , you can listen to the chanting and follow the translation in english . sorry I cant down load music or I would listen to it allso , prehaps someone else would like to listen in and give it their seal of approval . david , you can even say it in english , its the sincerity that counts namaskars ratikala |
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11-24-2011, 05:23 AM | #13 |
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11-24-2011, 06:12 AM | #14 |
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