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

[Green Gaia]

If someone were to want to be Buddhist, what is required of them and how would they go about learning more about it?

[Master Vigil]

I am not sure about just becoming a buddhist. But to be a buddhist priest in the Soto Zen tradition, this is the basic outline...

1. 2-5 years of daily sitting practice under the guidance of a teacher
2. 1-3 years living with the teacher prior to ordination
3. ordination.
4. 1-3 years in a monastery (these are training places other than with your root teacher)
5. Shuso—Head monk at a monastery for three months
6. 5-10 more years with your teacher functioning as a senior monk ( this is developing your 7. own practice)
8. 10-20 years after ordination receive dharma transmission (formal permission to teach independent of your teacher)

This was told to me by a Zen Priest, so the citation goes to her. Kyoki Roberts of the Zen Center of Pittsburgh.

[Watcher]

Wow Master Vigil, that's a long time.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Maize

If someone were to want to be Buddhist, what is required of them and how would they go about learning more about it?

I would think that one would be required to believe in the four noble truths and the eight-fold path. Other than that, I don't think that there are any requirements to be Buddhist. To be a Buddhist monk or nun is another story.

The Four Noble Truths & the Eight-Fold Path

1.) All human life is dhukka (dissatisfaction)
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":

• 1- right understanding or right view - receptive
  2- right thought or right intention - active
  The first two cultivate wisdom.
  
  3- right speech
  4- right action
  5- right livelihood
  These three cultivate ethical conduct.
  
  6- right effort – wholesome mental energy
  7- right mindfulness – see things as they are
  8- right concentration –meditation
  These three cultivate mental development.

The eightfold path is not meant to be done sequentially; rather each part reinforces the others. Hence it is often depicted as an eight-spoke wheel.

If you want to learn more, "What the Buddha Taught" is a good intro. I wouldn't try reading the primary scriptures without a guide.

[Green Gaia]

Well, I'm certainly aware of the need to follow the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. I was asking more if there was some sort of intiation process or ceremony? For example, someone wants to be a Christian they are first baptised and Muslims publicly recite the Shahadah, then they are considered Muslim. Something along those lines.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Maize

Well, I'm certainly aware of the need to follow the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. I was asking more if there was some sort of intiation process or ceremony? For example, someone wants to be a Christian they are first baptised and Muslims publicly recite the Shahadah, then they are considered Muslim. Something along those lines.

Hi Maize, namaste.

Yes, I knew you would be familiar the four noble truths and the eightfold path. I put those up there in case anyone else was wondering what they are. (don't like to refer to terms without explaining them)

I really don't think that there is anything else to becoming a Buddhist. At least, nothing that was ever told to me by various teachers and relatives trying to get me to "convert." Of course, if one truly believes in the Dharma then one will practice one's beliefs in terms of daily meditation etc. But one can be a "bad" Buddhist just one can be a "bad" Christian.

In order to be a Buddhist monk or nun, there is quite an elaborate initiation. And I know that in PureLand Buddhism there are initiation rituals for advanced laity. But that's for making a greater commitment later on, not to "join."

[Green Gaia]

Thanks lilithu.

[bholly72]

You want to be a Buddhist? Start practicing Buddhism. Learn what you can, practice every day. Join a sangha if you can. - Brian

[Peacefulnrss]

hello... to become a buddhist a person needs to take refuge... a person takes refuge in the three jewels, the buddha the dharma (his teachings) and the shangha (the community )... although there is a ceremony that most Buddist go through, taking refuge is done daily...

[Dr. Nosophoros]

I would tell anyone that wanted to be anything to first seriously explore themselves for the real reasons for wanting to be whatever it was they wanted to be in the first place.