how do you become a buddhist?

[Twilight Hue]

This thread started in 2005.

Then later in 2008.

Then now in 2015.

And then in......

 

[Nicholas]

This thread started in 2005.

Then later in 2008.

Then now in 2015.

And then in......

And when was this question first asked... and when will be the last time?

 

[Osal]

And when was this question first asked... and when will be the last time?

People ask all the time. Good thread.

I'd like to add, that many Buddhist centers will hold refuge ceremonies on a regular basis.

Refuge is important. Very important. Becoming a Buddhist has nothing to do with what you believe. Refuge is what defines a Buddhist, not belief.

 

[Nicholas]

Being a Mahayana Buddhist I encourage anyone taking refuge, who also has a strong altruistic leaning, to Take Refuge with a Mahayana refuge master. Here is a summary of the Mahayana refuge:

“Taking refuge in this Great Vehicle has a great purpose, for unfathomable qualities related to logic, numbers, and time will be gathered thereby for one’s own welfare. In terms of the welfare of others, these beings will be embraced by a compassionate intent, namely, the wish to free beings from suffering. And, and as one endeavors accordingly, the Dharma of the unequaled, great noble ones, the buddhas and bodhisattvas, will flourish.”

Excerpt From: The Dharmachakra Translation Committee. “Ornament of the Great Vehicle Sutras.” iBooks. iTunes - Books - Ornament of the Great Vehicle Sutras by Maitreya

Another translation by Robert Thurman, of root verse and commentary by Vasubhandu:

12. One who goes to this refuge of great import increases the host
of excellences beyond measure, fills the world with compassionate
thoughts, and spreads the teaching of the peerless noble ones.

This shows the great import which lies in taking refuge from the point of
view of its realization of individualistic and altruistic aims. One's personal goals are
realized through the increase beyond measure of many kinds of excellences. "Beyond
measure" should be understood here as being beyond measurement by speculation,
calculation, or chronology; that is, the increase of excellences cannot be
measured by any of these because it is too great. Altruistic aims are realized spiritually
through the diffusion of compassion and practically by the spread of the teaching
of the universal vehicle [mahayana]. The universal vehicle is the teaching of the great noble beings.

 

[Nicholas]

The link above (from May 2015) is broken, so here is a basic Mahayana book I mentioned:

Ornament of the Great Vehicle Sutras: Maitreya's Mahayanasutralamkara with Commentaries by Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham by Maitreya

 

[Samana Johann]

hello. i would like to become a buddhist but know very little about it. how do you become one?, do you have to follow one of the sub-divisions - eg-zen?. ive been ill recently and feel a need for religion and the buddhist religion i feel more aligned to, and just feel this is so right.

thank you,
rob

Since recently answered, good householder Rob:

[Q&A] How does one become a lay "Buddhist", follower? Are there different ways?

There are no various kinds of becoming a follower of the Buddha, householder.

By going for refuge, seeking refuge on it, toward the Sublime Buddha, the sublime Dhamma, and the Sangha of Bhikkhus, one becomes a "Buddhist", Upasaka, Upasika (householder having the Gems as his/her refuge) or more if asking for leaving home under the Tripple Gems (the second might not for all accessible, give-able).

The become a follower of the Buddha, Upasaka, Upasika, it requires to perceive the real Buddha, to perceive his good Dhamma, to perceive his straight following Sangha, and to for refuge in them, declaring it by body, signs and thought possible best toward the carrier of his heritage.

What ever else refuge, either wrong perceived or incomplete can not be seen as the entrance of Upasaka-ship.

If going outwardly for refuge toward "fake" Gems, as long as perceived as proper and no doubt, there would be no problem.

If having gone to refuge to the Tripple Gems and having doubt later, it's good to take anew refuge toward proper objects. If one has the wrong refuge taken the Sangha might be not so able to guide toward right refuge.

If having gone to refuge toward the right Tripple Gems outwardly but still perceiving them in wrong ways, the refuge as been taken correct to that extant and the Sangha would be more able to help to derive also to correct understanding.

It's worthy to note that, in cases where one has not reached the stream yet (having gained firm confidence, no more relaying on something outwardly the Tripple Gems), as soon as this refuge has gone broken by relaying on something else, it should be renewed since it is not secure, not firm, at this stage. This being the reason, Lay-Buddhaparisata as well monks are eager to renew this refuge min. weekly of on full and half moon days, requesting it anew from the Sangha of monks, after having asked for forgiveness for fault toward the Tripple Gems.

This is in as far an important aspect because without refuge into the Gems there is no protection by the Gems for one and one is open to do a lot of unskillful deeds.

Taking refuge, better asking for refuge, is always better and more secure gained if in relation to the community of the Buddhas homeless disciples.

Note that the taking on of precepts and also declare such toward the Sangha might not only be a additional possibility for the Sangha to guide one, but also make one not only to "just" follower but to a virtuous (good) follower with more chances to gain much benefit form this undertaking.

Although there are certain formal ceremonies, rituals, practiced, they are not necessary required and monks would guide one to make it in best ways after being asked to to so, which is good to declare in a devoted manner and announcing three times. One then only needs to follow the advice, speak following them, and good Sanghas pronounce the refuge formula in two ways, so that it would fit also to Vinaya measures.

General on the problem of wrong perceiving, see also: What's the safe bet, the secure practice, to gain relation toward the right refuge?.

And: [Q&A] Is it possible to following the Dhamma without taking refuge?