Become A Buddhist
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Becoming a Buddhist

A Way Life MoreThan a Religion

Buddhism is a personal practice of a way of life more than a religion. Buddhists can have another religion that they follow. This is evident in some of the ceremonies you see some places, they are not strictly Buddhist they have a Buddhist approach to another religion.

Your Buddhism is yours and only yours. No one else can judge or tell you how to act. You alone are responsible. Many people prefer a teacher (ajahn - title of address to a monk) or mentor to guide them on the path. Others wish to practice alone. The choice is truly yours. A teacher can give you lessons in what Buddha said and help you learn to meditate (part of the Eight Fold Path). There are books and web sites that can assist as well.

Buddha tells us:

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it.

Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many.

Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books.

Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.

Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations.

But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason, and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.

This differs from most other religions. They have books they wish you to follow. They have preachers and leaders that tell you what you should and should not do. When you go for "Refuge" and take the precepts (the "commandments"), you are making a promise to yourself and no one else.

Following an ideal not an idol

Many people think that Buddhists worship the statue they bow to. They are honoring the example or "ideal" that Buddha presented for us. They bow three times to honor him, his message (the Dhamma) and the community of believers (Sangha). This is done one time upon entering a room with a Buddha statue. In formal ceremonies, it is repeated.

Face the image of a Buddha:
 
Repeat the following. (italics are phonetic Pali - say one or the other)

 

Phutthang pujemi
Dhammangg pujemi
Sangkhang pujemi

I offer homage to the Buddha (bow head to floor)
I offer homage to the Dharma (bow head to floor)
I offer homage to the Sangha (bow head to floor)

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammā Sambuddhassa (repeat 3 times)

Honor to Him, the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the fully Enlightened One.
Phuttang saranam gacchami
Dhammang saranam gacchami
Sankhang saranam gacchami
 
Dutiyampi Phuttang saranam gacchāmi
Dutiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchāmi
Dutiyampi Sankhang saranam gacchāmi
 
Tatiyampi Phuttang saranam gacchāmi
Tatiyampi Dhammam aranam gacchāmi
Tatiyampi Sankhang saranam gacchāmi
I go to the Buddha for refuge
I go to the Dhamma for refuge
I go to the Sangha for refuge
 
A second time I go to the Buddha for refuge
A second time I go to the Dhamma for refuge
A second time I go to the Sangha for refuge
 
A third time I go to the Buddha for refuge
A third time I go to the Dhamma for refuge
A third time I go to the Sangha for refuge
   
   
   
   

This is the simple beginning of a long path of self discovery and self awareness. Many prefer to have a teacher or mentor on the way.
Wat Chao Buddha of San Bernardino