So you want to be a Buddhist.... (priest, rituals, tradition)

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Maize

I found this:
http://www.khandro.net/Buddhist_becoming.htm

I am sure that ceremonies exist. But I find it hard to believe that one would not be considered a "true" Buddhist unless one performed such ceremonies. I still think that it's the living of the Dharma - the understanding of the four noble truths and the practice of the eight-fold path - that makes one a Buddhist.

[The Black Whirlwind]

[quote=lilithu]
1.) All human life is dhukka (dissatisfaction)
QUOTE]

I do not think that all life is dissatisfaction, i just cannot believe it. that is why when i tried being a buddhist, i ended my stint very quickly due to this one phrase. Life is how you make it, and i can never see myself being such a cynic.

[Green Gaia]

Originally Posted by lilithu

I am sure that ceremonies exist. But I find it hard to believe that one would not be considered a "true" Buddhist unless one performed such ceremonies. I still think that it's the living of the Dharma - the understanding of the four noble truths and the practice of the eight-fold path - that makes one a Buddhist.

That was my understanding as well, but for those wanting (or needing) ceremony, I thought it was interesting.

[Green Gaia]

[quote=md_88]

Originally Posted by lilithu

1.) All human life is dhukka (dissatisfaction)
QUOTE]

I do not think that all life is dissatisfaction, i just cannot believe it. that is why when i tried being a buddhist, i ended my stint very quickly due to this one phrase. Life is how you make it, and i can never see myself being such a cynic.

I don't take it as cynical at all. (copied from another thread where I answered this concern): /The Buddha saw that life as typically lived is unfulfilling and filled with insecurity. That doesn't mean there cannot be joys. But have we not all felt sorrow and pain? From where does this come? That is what he was trying to answer is saying that all life is dukkha and tanha is its cause. Being a child of India, his philosophy would have been grounded in the idea that fundamentally, all is well, an optimism that prevails in Indian thought. There is something screwing it up, and that is why we are not happy./ So it is not cynical to say life is suffering or dissatisfaction, it is merely truth!

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by md_88

1.) All human life is dhukka (dissatisfaction)

I do not think that all life is dissatisfaction, i just cannot believe it. that is why when i tried being a buddhist, i ended my stint very quickly due to this one phrase. Life is how you make it, and i can never see myself being such a cynic.

Yes, it does sound cynical if you take it out of context, if you stop just at the first noble truth without seeking to understand it in the context of the next three.

2.) All dhukka is caused by attachment, the desire that things be different than they are
3.) Dhukka or dissatisfaction can be ended by ending attachment.
4.) Attachment can be ended by following the "Noble Eightfold Path":

The Buddha did not just say "life sucks" and leave it at that. He said that the state of being alive results in dhukka (suffering or dissatisfaction). That doesn't mean that you are unhappy every moment of your life. Who could reasonably make that claim? It means that unhappiness or dissatisfaction is linked to the human condition. No matter what, no matter how rich or famous or beautiful or powerful, at some point in your life you will be unhappy. You'll ether want more or you will fear/regret losing what you have. Who could reasonably argue with that?

Now, having stated the first noble truth, which is just a statement of fact, the Buddha goes on to explain the reason. (2) Dhukka is caused by attachment. He then provides a solution to the problem. (3) Dhukka can be ended by ending attachment. And (4) attachment can be ended by following the eight-fold path. A cynical view of life would be to say that there's no way out of this dilemma and to just give up. Why bother? Buddhism provides a straightforward (albeit challenging) solution - a way to not suffer any more. It is not cynical at all.

[Engyo]

Back to the question of ceremony or not..........

This would depend on what tradition and school one intends on joining, if any. A given school may or may not have a "Taking Refuge" ceremony; some can be very simple and some quite elaborate.

Another point is that some traditions consider only monastics as members of the Sangha, while others consider all those practicing to be a part of the Sangha (community of believers [according to my tradition]).