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where do i begin?

umojaumoja
edited January 2010 in Buddhism Basics
hi, everyone.

i am in a predicament that i really am beginning to need some help getting out of.

i have been interested in buddhism for quite sometime, and have learnt a fair deal about it over the past few months on my own and a little bit through a friend. i have never been so sure of anything in my life, to be honest, and i would really like to make this a permenant part of my life. the problem is, i just don't know how to go about it. it may seem silly, but i'm under the impression that you can't just say "oh, i'm buddhist now." aren't there things you have to do? i live in a place where there is really no chance of finding many buddhists to interact with, and i am a college student in a town equally as small and uniform as the one in which i live.

i would love some guidance on this. it would be forever appreciated :)

Comments

  • fivebellsfivebells Veteran
    edited January 2010
    Why do you want to be a Buddhist?

    Buddhist meditation and other practices are wonderful. Identification as a Buddhist (so you can say "oh, I'm a Buddhist") is quite counterproductive.
  • potopoto
    edited January 2010
    umoja wrote: »
    i'm under the impression that you can't just say "oh, i'm buddhist now."

    Actually you can, there's no secret handshake. ;)

    Of course, if you want to take refuge in a formal ceremony, then I would suggest finding a Buddhist temple near you.
  • umojaumoja
    edited January 2010
    fivebells wrote: »
    Why do you want to be a Buddhist?

    Buddhist meditation and other practices are wonderful. Identification as a Buddhist (so you can say "oh, I'm a Buddhist") is quite counterproductive.

    oh, no. i think i may have been misleading with that statement. i don't want to be a buddhist so that i can say i'm buddhist.

    from what i have read thus far, i am intrigued. i am intrigued by the fact that i can go down a path and look within without worrying about a "god" and it's approval. i am intrigued by the necessity for kindness, and by the realisation that the origin of suffering is attachment and desire. it's astronomical to me.

    i'm sorry if my words aren't coming together coherently, here- english isn't my thing- but i think what i am trying to say is i am not sure what to do next. i know there is a whole realm of things waiting for me, but it overwhelms me.
  • ValtielValtiel Veteran
    edited January 2010
    i'm sorry if my words aren't coming together coherently, here- english isn't my thing- but i think what i am trying to say is i am not sure what to do next.

    http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma4/mpe.html

    That is all.

    Welcome to the forum. :)
  • fivebellsfivebells Veteran
    edited January 2010
    Good answer.
  • selfbiasresistorselfbiasresistor
    edited January 2010
    Hello all!

    I'm new to this forum, and new to Zen. I've been interested in Eastern Philosophy for the past ten years of my life, however. I went to summer school at a Japanese boarding school here in America called Tennessee Meiji Gakuin, where I got my first taste of Shintoism and Zen.
    Now, a little older, I want to learn to meditate and I have chose the Milwaukee Zen Center. Tomorrow they have an "Introduction to Zen Buddhism" seminar and I am attending. I guess is, my question is, what should I expect? What should I wear? Something semi-formal?
    Thank you and I will let you know how it went.
  • ManiMani Veteran
    edited January 2010
    hello selfbiasresistor.

    Good for you!

    Well, I don't know what you should expect, in fact it's probably better not to expect anything in particular. Probably better to go in with an open mind and an open heart, while just trying to absorb the best you can what it is they may speak about.

    Yes, I would wear something comfortable, but respectful as well. Maybe a pair of slacks and a sweater or something like that. Try to avoid ripped clothing, shorts, skirts, tank tops, etc. You could call the center ahead of time.

    Good luck!
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    edited January 2010
    Try to find out whats going on in your area. If you have no committments (you are a dependent, you have dependents, you have job you like or family or spouse) then maybe relocate somewhere where you can experience that. I am part of an internet sangha. My teacher says that the transformative power of the teachings is not located to any point in space (ie face to face) so that transformation can also happen long distance.

    Where ever YOU are that is where the dharma will find you. (of course you can move too haha)
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