New!

PineappleBear

My dad and my step mother are Buddhist, and so am I (obviously haha). The problem is, I don't live with them. and I don't know ANYBODY where I live who is Buddhist. How do I break into a Buddhist community? Or will I just have to wait until I am older.

genkaku

Welcome PB.

To find a center near you, search the internet.

To broaden your intellectual understanding, read some books or surf the net for Buddhist sites.

Age doesn't necessarily exclude anyone from Buddhism, so you can lay that doubt to rest. Sometimes, tongue in cheek, it is helpful to go out and "sin some more." But not always. Follow your interest.

PineappleBear

Thank you

The closest one is like an hour and a half away. And by older, I mean when I can get around easier, and move to a place more "open".

Ahhh sometimes I just wish I had a friend I could talk to about it haha! Thats why I joined this forum. c:

Fenix

I know how it feels when no one you know is buddhist or like mind. The nearest buddhist center from where I live is about 3 hours :S I come here though alot which I like. If theres anything on your mind I know theres alot of support here

Jason

How do I break into a Buddhist community?

Best to keep it simple. I've always found a ski-mask and crowbar to be effective.

aMatt

I've always found a ski-mask and crowbar to be effective.

You don't need a ski mask, if anyone spots you, just remind them your face is absent of any permanent qualities.

PBear, welcome to the forum.

skullchin

I would also search iTunes for Buddhist podcasts. Gil Fronsdale is good

PineappleBear

Thank you all (:

Especially Jason and aMatt. Hahah!!

Sabre

I also got interested around your age, but didn't have parents who were interested in it. So it was like a solo journey, hehe. I've been practicing Buddhism for years before I found people who were also interested... And when I found them they were at least three times my age, hahaha. There aren't a lot of young people practicing, but the amount is growing, at least in my country. So recently I found some others around my age (which is now 24). Have patience and you'll find them too.

The internet can be a great help sometimes, but people also can be a bit impersonal sometimes, so keep that in mind.

Welcome to the forum!

PineappleBear

I have a really dear friend who is Buddhist, but she barely speaks english, is in China at the moment, and is 70 years old, she really inspires me. My mom is a hardcore Christian...so I don't really talk about it alot.
And I really want to get into it more.

And thank you I feel really welcomed.

(just young lol)

Tikal2012

You might want to try finding a temple or a meditation center where you will be able to attend meditation classes and meet other practitioners. Also, there is a vast amount of information on the web regarding the Dhamma. If you go to www.accesstoinsight.org, and look under the "Quick Guide" section, there is a small group of links titled: "Beginnings." There you should find a helpful introduction to the basic principles of the Dhamma.

taiyaki

i am in the same situation as you are.
so i just read and talk to people online about buddhism.

i am sure irl interaction is nice though. Lol.

MindGate

In regards to: My dad and my step mother are Buddhist, and so am I (obviously haha):

I don't particularly understand the "obviously" part.

DaltheJigsaw

Try a local Sangha.
http://www.Buddhanet.net

DaltheJigsaw

Welcome PB.

To find a center near you, search the internet.

To broaden your intellectual understanding, read some books or surf the net for Buddhist sites.

Age doesn't necessarily exclude anyone from Buddhism, so you can lay that doubt to rest. Sometimes, tongue in cheek, it is helpful to go out and "sin some more." But not always. Follow your interest.

What books do you suggest?

DaltheJigsaw

How about we get a thread going for people in different cities/states?
I am in San Francisco Bay Area, CA

PineappleBear

Err Sorry, Mindgate.
Communicating online is not my strong suit. :-/

Thank you all

Wouldn't we all be from different cities and states?

Jeffrey

PineappleBear,

I recommend Shunryu Suzuki's Zen Mind Beginners mind. Which is accessible to a beginner although it gives an advanced instruction for experienced students also. It will help you pick up a vibe. I am not even Zen person, but I found this true.

Then start a meditation practice which feels good to you. You may have to experiment. You can look on the youtube, but be warned that many of the meditations are not mainstream buddhist (probably). I meditate in the method of trungpa rinpoche and pema chodron. You can find a description of her meditation method along with the basic idea of her school of Tibetan buddhism + practical life advice in the book When Things Fall Apart. I believe that Kathleen McDonald has a good book on meditation also. In the Theravada tradition Ven. Henepola Gunaratana has a book Mindfulness in Plain English which is also designed for a new learner in buddhism.

So if you don't have access to a local teacher I recommend reading, participating in forums that feel right in a way that feels right, and starting a meditation practice.

Good luck and welcome!

Serva mangalam

PineappleBear

Thank you.

How do I participate in forums without seeming like I have no idea about anything?
I've actually been actively reading and talking about it with my parents for about 5 years.

But its like I know nothing.

Ahhhh.

aMatt

How do I participate in forums without seeming like I have no idea about anything?

Don't worry about cred, just hop in and share your ideas. I'm sure you know more than nothing. If not, you're lucky!

allyp

PineappleBear,
I am totally totally new live out in the country side and just don't know where to start what path to follow or anything i just know its for me and that it's right. I am trying to read Buddhism for beginners by Thubten Chodron, but it's not what i thought it would be. It's where to start for me and how to start and how to practice and set aside the time to meditate and what to acutally do so it sounds like you might have a bit of advice for. So any tips on what you have been reading woould definately be good. Help!!!!