Content

• Steps
• Advice

Buddhism is an ancient religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama. Buddhism teaches the concepts of the Four Noble Truths, karma, and reincarnation. Buddhism is still very popular today with millions of Buddhists around the world. The first step in becoming a Buddhist is to understand the basic beliefs of Buddhism; This will help you determine if this religion is right for you. After that, you can practice and participate in long traditional rituals.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Understand basic Buddhist concepts

1. 

   Learn the basic terms. This will make it easier for you to grasp things, as many Buddhist terms may still be unfamiliar to you. Those basic terms include - but are not limited to - the following:
   • Arhat, or Arahant: Arhat, the enlightened one, attains Nirvana.
   • Bodhisattva, or Bodhisattva: one who is in the process of enlightenment.
   • Buddha, or Buddha: one who has awakened and attained full enlightenment.
   • Dharma, or Dhamma: is a multifaceted word, often used to refer to the Dharma or the teachings of the Buddha.
   • Nirvana, or Nirvana: a peaceful spiritual state. Nirvana is the ultimate goal of Buddhism.
   • Sangha, or Sangha: Buddhist community.
   • Sutra, or Buddhist Sutra or Sutra: a place to record what the Buddha taught.
   • Venerable, or Venerable: title is given to a monk (monk or nun) dressed in robes with their custom and sectarian colors.

2. 

   
   
   Get acquainted with the different Buddhist sects. The two most famous sects of Buddhism today are Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism. Although these two sects share the same basic beliefs, their teachings are in different places: Mahayana Buddhism focuses deeply on becoming a Bodhisattva, while Theravada Buddhism focuses on practice. Dharma, and so on.
   • In addition, there are many other sects such as Zen Zong, Pure Land, and Esoteric Buddhism (Tantric Buddhism).
   • Whatever sect you like, their basic teachings are the same.
   • Since Buddhism is a longstanding religion, there are so many complex differences between sects that this article cannot cover in detail; take the time to study Buddhism to learn more.

3. 

   
   
   Read more about the life of Siddhartha Gautama. There are many books about the founder of Buddhism, and you can also search online to read articles about his life. Siddhartha Gautama was a prince who gave up his palace and his affluent life in search of enlightenment. Although not the only Buddha in existence, he is the founder of Buddhism registered in history.

4. 

   
   
   Learn about the Four Noble Truths. One of the fundamental concepts of Buddhism is the Four Noble Truths: the truth about suffering, the truth about the origin of suffering, the truth about how to end suffering, and the truth about the path. free from suffering. In other words, suffering exists, it has a cause and an end, and there is always a way to be free from suffering.
   • The Four Noble Truths are not negative; they are really used to alleviate suffering if we reflect on them.
   • The Four Noble Truths emphasize that the pursuit of happiness is not important.
   • If you find it difficult to understand the Four Noble Truths, you are not alone. Many people take years to understand this lecture.

5. 

   Learn about samsara and nirvana. Buddhists believe that all living things have many lives. When we die, we will be reborn in a new life, and the reincarnation between life and death ceases only when we reach nirvana. We can be reborn in the human realm, the heavenly realm, the animal realm, the hell realm, the Arahant realm and the hungry devil realm.

6. 

   Karma is closely related to samsara and nirvana because it determines when and where one is reborn. Karma includes actions good and bad in past lives and in the present life. Good karma or bad karma can affect a person immediately or for thousands of years, or for five more lives, depending on when karmic retribution occurs.
   • Bad karma is the result of bad actions or thoughts such as killing, stealing or lying.
   • Good karma is the result of good actions or thoughts such as generosity, kindness, and propaganda of the Buddha's teachings.
   • No-karma is the result of actions that have no significant effect, such as breathing or sleeping.
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Part 2 of 3: Refuge

1. 

   Find a temple you like. Large cities all have Buddhist temples, but each one has a different sect (such as Theravada Buddhism or Zen Buddhism), and each sect will have activities, classes, and rituals. different formula. The best way to find out is to visit that temple and chat with monks or lay people at home.
   • Ask about activities and rituals at the temple.
   • Learn about the different altars.
   • Do some rituals to see if you like the atmosphere.

2. 

   Become a part of the Buddhist community. Like most other religions, Buddhism is highly communal, lay people and monks and nuns are very hospitable and willing to share a lot of information.
   • Many Buddhist communities will make pilgrimages together to different temples around the world.
   • If you feel nervous or embarrassed at first, that is okay.
   • Buddhism is the most popular religion in many countries such as Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal, Korea, Sri Lanka, China, and so on.

3. 

   Asked about taking refuge in Tam Bao. The Three Jewels are the three jewels, the three main bases of Buddhism: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. When taking refuge in the Three Jewels, you will perform a ritual to vow to preserve the Five Precepts, including not killing, not stealing, without adultery, not lying and not using alcohol and drugs.
   • The specific rituals in each temple will be different.
   • You do not have to take refuge in the Three Jewels, because it is important to maintain the morality according to the Buddha's teachings.
   • If you cannot take refuge in the Three Jewels for cultural reasons, or you cannot find a temple near where you live, you can still preserve the Five Precepts.
   • Once you have taken refuge in the Buddha's door, you will officially become a Buddhist.
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Part 3 of 3: Practicing Dharma

1. 

   Stay connected with the Buddhist community. Attending Dhamma classes at the temple you take refuge is a great way to connect with other Buddhists. When coming to the temple, do not sit with your feet pointed at a ceremony table, Buddha statue or monks. Women are not allowed to touch the monks, not even shaking hands. Men are also not allowed to touch the nuns. Goodbye is fine. Most temples offer yoga, meditation and Buddhist teachings. Also, spend time with Buddhist friends and family.

2. 

   Regularly study Buddhism. Online there are many Buddhist sutras available. There may also be a library at the temple, or you can buy Buddhist scriptures. There are many monks or lay people who have written teachings on Buddhist scriptures. Some popular sutras are: The Vajra Sutra (some places are called the Vajra Sutra), the Prajñā Sutras and the Abhidhamma Sutra.
   • Relate to others Buddhist concepts that you have already mastered.
   • There are hundreds of different concepts and lectures, but don't be impatient or force yourself to "master" right away.
   • Attend a class taught by monks or lay people at the temple.

3. 

   Preserve the Five Precepts. When taking refuge in the Three Jewels, you must swear to preserve the Five Precepts, but sometimes it is also difficult. Try not to kill, stay honest, use alcohol or drugs, not steal and not adultery. If you break these principles, repent and do your best to continue to uphold them.

4. 

   Practice the Middle Way. This is a very important part of Buddhism, which requires Buddhists to have a balanced lifestyle, neither too lavish nor too austere. The Middle Way, also known as the "Eightfold Path", instructs Buddhists to follow the eight teachings. Take time to research:
   • Righteous thoughts
   • Thought itself
   • Main language
   • Major karma
   • Main network
   • Main diligence
   • Righteous thoughts
   • Righteousness
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Advice

• Helping others is an important part of Buddhism.
• Take the time to learn about Buddhism before taking refuge in the Three Jewels.
• Buddhism has many complex philosophies; Do not be confused if you read without understanding.
• Listen to Buddhist scriptures on YouTube.
• If you eat meat a lot, gradually reduce the amount, and if appropriate, stop eating meat altogether.
• If you like the Tibetan Huang Maoist sect, read books like "The Power of Kindness" by the Dalai Lama. Even if you are not a Buddhist, you can always find helpful commandments in His books.
• Don't be in a hurry to become a Buddhist. Study your religion slowly - otherwise, you may be overwhelmed.