Buddhism for beginners
- Part 6 -

Thangjam Sanjoo *

Wat - A Buddhist Temple in Bangkok, Thailand ( Pix from 2007) :: Pix - WT

7. How do I become a Buddhist?

Although there is a ceremony of taking the Three Refuges (the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha), there isn't any "conversion" involved and you aren't required to renounce any other religion or beliefs. In fact, it seems to be more of a social statement to show others that you have become a Buddhist.Once you accept the Buddha's teachings as a way of life and try to follow the Five Precepts for lay people, you're a Buddhist.This involved a lot of reading Dharma and listening to Dharma talks.

Chose books by monks and nuns who already had a deep knowledge of Dharma through study and practice, and who had a talent for explaining it. Looked at how Buddhism developed over the millennia and decided to start off with Theravada, which is the original form of Buddhism based on the Pali Canon. Later, investigated the various Mahayana traditions too.

Reducing the power of the ego to control our lives was a foundation of Buddhism. Generally, concentrating on Right Speech (a component of the Noble Eightfold Path) because it would give the fastest results I think. If I started being nice to people, eventually they'd be nicer to me. That happened, but much more than that. Finding myself examining my intentions every time like defending my views, arguing with someone, contradicting them, criticizing them, comparing myself with them or judging them in any way at all.

Later starting meditation, since this is the only way to experience the truth of the teaching rather than just understanding them intellectually. Even though the majority of people born into Buddhism may not meditate, it's essential for the serious Buddhist.Many people have a problem with whether they are or aren't a Buddhist, usually because they still have some belief in god or because they haven't come to believe in rebirth.

The following talk by Ajahn Jagaro, a Western monk of the Thai Forest Tradition, will be helpful for anyone asking himself,

"Am I a Buddhist?"

by Ajahn Jagaro

Teaching people who have only recently encountered Buddhism often asked the question "How do you become a Buddhist?" or "How do you know when you are a Buddhist?" This type of enquiry is indeed healthy and to be encouraged not only amongst those new to Buddhism but also for people born and raised as Buddhists. So go ahead and ask yourself: "Am I a Buddhist?"

There will be many who will answer "Yes" and those who say "No", but how many will be thinking "Oh ... Ahm,.. I don't know." So let us contemplate this business of being a Buddhist a bit more.

To begin our enquiry it may be worthwhile to know what the Buddha said on the matter. The following episode is taken from the Buddhist scriptures (Anguttara Nikaya, Vol IV):

"Once, the Lord dwelt amongst the Sakyans in the Banyan Tree Monastery at Kapilavasthu, and while there, Mahanama the Sakyan came to him and asked;

"How, Lord, does one become a lay disciple?"

"When one has taken refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha, then one is a lay disciple".

"How, Lord, is a lay disciple virtuous?"

"When a lay disciple abstains from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and drinking intoxicants, then he is virtuous."

Here the Buddha clearly states that by taking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha one becomes a disciple or, in modern terminology, a Buddhist. The classical formula of going for refuge, which has been passed down from the time of the Buddha is as follows;

Buddham Saranam Gacchami (I go for refuge to the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha) However one does not become a Buddhist through the mere repetition of these words nor by the performance of any other ceremony ritual or initiation. On the other hand, though one has not performed any ceremony or ritual, one may still be a Buddhist. Put simply, this means that no one can make you a Buddhist nor can anyone stop you from being a Buddhist. It is a volitional choice that one makes when one has sufficient confidence in the Teacher and the Teaching. In the commentaries to the scriptures it explains this as, "It is an act of consciousness devoid of defilements, motivated by confidence in and reverence for the Triple Gem"...

Religion had little relevance to real life. However, Buddha's Teachings and in particular the practice of meditation is very appealing.

Now becoming a Buddhist does not mean that one has to either agree with or believe in everything that is taught or practiced by all the countless Buddhist sects and groups throughout the world. Nor do we have to believe that it is the only way and that all the other religions are no good. It simply means that having looked at and probed into this teaching of the Buddha, having tried it and having seen that it does work; one has confidence in it and chooses to take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and Sangha.

However if you are still unsure as to whether you are a Buddhist or you are not, don't worry about it, just keep on practicing.

Concluded...