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i'm interested in becoming a Buddhist?

nikileenikilee
edited May 2010 in Buddhism Basics
I have been looking into religion and something to give me structure in life, I was wondering if anyone has anything that i should read up on? Good books, Websites, if there are any ceremonies to go through? Any information would be helpful.

Comments

  • PietroPumokinPietroPumokin
    edited May 2010
    welcome to the club
    dunno a good intro book
    there are several different schools of buddhism you can enter into
    if there are buddhist centers around your town, you can shop around and talk to the peoples there
    that would be a wonderful start
  • mettafoumettafou Veteran
    edited May 2010
    http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/index.html
  • DhammaDhatuDhammaDhatu Veteran
    edited May 2010
    Hi Niki

    I would suggest finding some simple teachings on the Eightfold Path, such as at this link.

    Kind regards

    :)
  • retrofuturistretrofuturist
    edited May 2010
    Greetings,

    See also...

    Good Question, Good Answer
    http://www.buddhanet.net/qanda.htm

    Metta,
    Retro. :)
  • patbbpatbb Veteran
    edited May 2010
    watch Dhamma talks
    http://www.youtube.com/user/BuddhistSocietyWA#p/u/84/rKxKGFw6B68

    and start meditation

    good instructions, "Mindfulness bliss and beyond" by Ajahn Brahm.
    http://www.dharmaweb.org/index.php/The_Basic_Method_of_Meditation_by_Ajahn_Brahmavamso
  • NewOneNewOne Explorer
    edited May 2010
    I would suggest the book "Buddhism Plain & Simple" by Steve Hagen. It doesnt go into the different sects of Buddhism. Just a simple "outline" of Buddhism, Meditation, Four Noble Truths, and the Eightfold path. You can find the book for $12.00 at any bookstore. Also another book for a more indepth is "The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, & Liberation : The Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, and Other Basic Buddhist Teachings" by Thich Nhat Hanh. Here is also a link that has alot of talks by Ajahn Brahm http://www.youtube.com/user/BuddhistSocietyWA Another thing you could do is see if you have any local Temples or Dharma Centers. Hope this helps.
  • JanineJanine
    edited May 2010
    'Buddhism for Dummies' is a fantastic book, doesn't preach and comes from an objective position to all scools of Buddhism. It gives all the background info you need to make an informed choice on the type of path that you wish to follow.
  • MountainsMountains Veteran
    edited May 2010
    I agree wholheartedly on Steve Hagen's book and on Buddhism for Dummies. Both are excellent. Jumping straight into various schools of Buddhism, deep dharma talks, etc might be overwhelming (it was for me). The above are great intros.

    Mtns
  • Geoff-AllenGeoff-Allen
    edited May 2010
    Hi Nikilee!

    Some good recommendations so far.

    I would recommend 2 books -

    "Awakening the Buddha Within" by Lama Surya Das

    "The Dalia Lama's Little Book of Wisdom"

    As for websites - there are many. I like buddhanet and viewonbuddhism.

    Best of luck with it!

    :)
  • mettafoumettafou Veteran
    edited May 2010
    http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxwaGlsb3NvcGh5d2l0aHRob3J8Z3g6Njk1ZjcyNmRiYWRjMTdmZg&pli=1
  • zengyrozengyro
    edited May 2010
    Allo,

    I would also recommend 'What the Buddha Taught' by Walpole Rahula. A simple, peaceful introduction to Buddhism.

    In answer to one of your subquestions - there is usually no ceremonies to go through to become a Buddhist. A Buddhist is anyone who takes refuge in the Three Jewels: The Buddha, the Sangha and the Dhamma.

    If you don't mind me saying, the text of your post seems a little urgent. There is no rush! I studied Buddhism for about 5 years before I took refuge 'officially'. Just read, listen to Dhamma talks, act a little more mindfully and the benefits will reap themselves.
  • nakazcidnakazcid Somewhere in Dixie, y'all Veteran
    edited May 2010
    When I first started attending a local sangha we read and discussed Thubten Chodron's "Buddhism for Beginners". It's from a Tibetan perspective, but covers principles basic to any school of Buddhism.
  • tim45174tim45174
    edited May 2010
    "If you study Buddhism thinking that it will help you, that means that you use Buddhism for your ego, for selfishness. No matter how long you do this, it is egocentric practice. If you continue to practice like this you will never be satisfied, because desire is endless."
    - Dainin Katagiri - Returning to Silence
  • budhabeebudhabee
    edited May 2010
    As a beginning Buddist myself the Dali Lama's book On "The Art of Happiness" is very good. Also "Oshoa" on Tantric Buddism. These two fascinated me. I think the Dali Lama's book cuts to the core of this modern world that we are born into. I find Oshoa very good for meditative practices. Being a newbie to the religion and being 61 years old the only thing I can say is "Well sheesh! Its about time!" (meaning its about time I broadened my horizons in a meaningful way that will actually HELP me in this day and age.) I am sorry I did not look into buddism years ago.
  • patbbpatbb Veteran
    edited May 2010
    tim45174 wrote: »
    "If you study Buddhism thinking that it will help you, that means that you use Buddhism for your ego, for selfishness. No matter how long you do this, it is egocentric practice. If you continue to practice like this you will never be satisfied, because desire is endless."
    - Dainin Katagiri - Returning to Silence
    of course but everyone begin studying Buddhism out of their ego.

    If they didn't, they would already be very advanced in their path...

    It doesn't matter much why you begin studying Buddhism.
    For whatever the reason it is for you, you will begin to learn and make a few steps on the path.

    Your understanding will change and so is your reason for studying Buddhism.

    If you keep studying to please your ego "look at me, i memorized every single Buddhist text ever written!!", this will be a road block that you will need to address before you can progress again...
  • DanceingLodusDanceingLodus
    edited May 2010
    patbb wrote: »
    watch Dhamma talks
    http://www.youtube.com/user/BuddhistSocietyWA#p/u/84/rKxKGFw6B68

    Excellent link, thank you.
  • OlarteOlarte
    edited May 2010
    Dear Dhamma Dhatu you just earned some good Karma points.

    I cannot thank you enough. I'm a follower of the Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh yet I did not realize this magazine was available.

    You have me very happy!
    Thank You! :D
    Ivan
    Dhamma Dhatu wrote: »
    Hi Niki

    I would suggest finding some simple teachings on the Eightfold Path, such as at this link.

    Kind regards

    :)
  • mettafoumettafou Veteran
    edited May 2010
    http://www.buddhanet.net/flash/toc/index.html
  • budhabeebudhabee
    edited May 2010
    tim45174 wrote: »
    "If you study Buddhism thinking that it will help you, that means that you use Buddhism for your ego, for selfishness. No matter how long you do this, it is egocentric practice. If you continue to practice like this you will never be satisfied, because desire is endless."
    - Dainin Katagiri - Returning to Silence
    Well...I study Buddism because it has already begun to help me cause lord knows....i need help. Although it may be ego related looks like we all had to start somewhere. So I guess I'll have to let my ego do the driving for a little while.
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    edited May 2010
    Trungpa Rinpoche Sacred path of the Warrior is an example of the dharma translated into english* (for beginners)....

    Pema Chodron also speaks english and correlates dharma to real life of a layperson..


    *language and culture/psyche
  • sambodhisambodhi
    edited May 2010
    PS, you don't need to "become" a Buddhist. Just start reading and practicing!
  • onewiththirstonewiththirst
    edited May 2010
    Dhamma Dhatu wrote: »
    Hi Niki

    I would suggest finding some simple teachings on the Eightfold Path, such as at this link.

    Kind regards

    :)

    Thank you for posting this link.
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