[ibupronec]

hello, i'm new to buddhism and have joined this site to learn more about it so i can be the best buddhist i can!
i have a few questions that i can't seem to find the answers to:
how to celebrate buddhist special days and holidays if there's nowhere near me that sets up festivals? (vesak etc)
my younger sister is also looking into being a buddhist (she's 12) how would she be a child buddhist?
how to start being a buddhist (is there a special welcoming ceremony or something like that?)
places to meet other buddhists?
there are no buddhist centres/temples or anything like that were i live is there anywhere else i could go?
where to meet other child buddhists? (for my sister again)
is it a big part of being a buddhist to have a shrine?
how to decide what type of buddhist you are? (zen etc)
any replies will be very helpful
thanks dharma0805

[SallyIsNice5]

Hello and welcome, Dharma0805

You don't really have to do anything other than investigate the Buddha's basic teachings to begin with.

I suggest you and your sister have a look at the Buddhist Studies section at Buddhanet to learn more. After you've understood more about the Buddha's core teachings and then about the different traditions such as Theravada and Mahayana you'll probably want to decide which to investigate further.

http://www.buddhanet.net/index.html

The place to meet other Buddhists is usually at study and meditation groups as well as Buddhist centres, temples and monasteries.
There's a worldwide search facility at Buddhanet and its possible that there might be a meditation group in your area even if there isn't a centre:

http://www.buddhanet.net/index.html


with kind wishes

Aloka