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New to Buddhism.
I'm new to Buddhism. I'm in the process of reading the eightfold path, and then the precepts. In the process of doing so, I'm finding that I'm at a loss of how to practice Buddhism. I also don't know what "type" of Buddhist I am. I would like to find the answers to these questions.
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Secondly I suggest learning about the very basics of Buddhism. I highly suggest www.buddhanet.net which is a great website for learning the basics and has whole courses that I use in teaching a basics of buddhism class. Here is the link to the education section. http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/index.htm
The main practice of the buddhist path is that of meditation, and there are two main types taught by the Buddha, Samatha(serenity) which developes concentration and Vipassana(insight) which develops wisdom.
In addition to meditation there is also the aspect of attempting to live a moral life, or put in Buddhist terms a life where you perform actions of mind, speech, and body which are skillful, ie beneficial to yourself and others, as opposed to unskillful.
The Buddha looked for a way out of the endless cycle of being born, sickness, old age, loss, and death. This is what drove him on this search some 2600 years ago. He found a way out and this is how we practice today. This is how we work towards a true lasting happiness.
I highly suggest if you can to find a local monastery/temple/meditation group near you. If you can find a teacher who can begin your meditation practice and training in person that this is great. If not then you can rely on many books, websites, and youtube videos for help.
you can look on the world buddhist directory(also on buddhanet.net - http://www.buddhanet.info/wbd/) to find local places near you.
There is a lot to know and it can feel overwhelming, but take it one day at a time and you will already be starting a good mindfulness practice
These basic fundamentals are enough to keep people busy for years. If at some point you decide you'd like to have guidance or support from others on the path, then you can consider checking out some centers in your area, and attending teachings. There's no rush or requirement, though, to declare yourself a follower of this or that school.
I started out as a Theravadan (and continue that) because I learned about Buddhism while visiting and living in Thailand. But perhaps it would have been better starting with an empty slate...although I have an idea I would have ended up in pretty much the same place.
Concentrate on the basics, while forgetting about one particular school or another. I have an idea that eventually you'll easily find where you fit.
Buddhism . . . (This may come as a shock) . . . Is not the adoption of practices but their cessation . . .
However whilst you realise that you want something to do.
this is from a meditation course I started a few weeks ago
Whatever happens in meditation—whether good or bad, ordinary or peculiar—simply experience it. Attempting to ascertain meaning is counter-productive. Do not judge thoughts, or the quality of meditation. Adopt this attitude: During meditation there are no profound or good thoughts. There are no unworthy or bad thoughts. There are no blissful or good meditation sessions. There are no boring, grumpy, miserable or bad meditation sessions. Allow good experiences to pass as they will. Allow bad experiences to persist as they will. Observe clearly the neutral experiences which you might prefer to ignore as uninteresting.
I'm pretty sure it boils down to the following:
1. Living an ethical life (this will mean different things to different people).
2. Meditation
3. Practising mindfulness (being present of the current moment).
4. Practising compassion (being kind to others/service/non harming)
You'll notice there's nothing to 'believe', because Buddhism isn't a belief system. Different Buddhist sects seem to cater for different psychological personality types. My advice would be to go and visit some dharma centres if you can, and see what resonates with you.
I started off with Tibetan Buddhism but after a few years was turned off by it; I didn't like the 'magical' aspects. My 'sect' is really A.A. (and it's funny that in A.A. we have a broad range of different views, just the same as all the different Buddhist sects) now. It's where I feel most useful.
But my practise is still very 'Buddhist'.
I hope some of that helps.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Meditation-Handbook-Meditations-Meaningful/dp/0948006900
to be able to know n interested in buddhism.
for a beginner, try keeping the 5 precepts.
the intention is to avoid unskillful actions.
If it's any consolation, I've been doing this Buddhism thang for.... oooh, I'd say just about nigh-on 2 decades now.... I STILL don't know what type of Buddhist I'm s'posed to be.... Just pick up, evaluate, ponder on, listen, chat, engage, discuss and generally pitch in.
It actually doesn't matter about the time factor. The main thing is the 'quality' not the quantity.
Enjoy, and have fun.
we're not serious Buddhists, but it seriously Buddhism.....