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The Three Jewels, Five Precepts and Delusion
Ren_in_black
Georgia Veteran
I've read that when a person accepts the Buddhist philosophy and wants to make it part of their life, the traditional way is to say "I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dharma, I take refuge in the Sangha."
And then, I suppose the natural next step is to take the 5 precepts.
But I'm not ready to take the 5 precepts.
Would you say this means I'm not truly ready to say "I take refuge?"
I want to start on the path, but not in a self-deluded way. 
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I don't really know the answer to your question. I can maybe say that its common when Asian teachers give the 5 precepts vow to say to the recipients that is okay to only take the ones you feel ready for. So if someone isn't ready to stop drinking, they don't have to take that one.
In general I'm on board with "start where you are" and take an incremental but steady approach in my practice rather than a jump in with both feet style.
I have heard, that merely saying the Three Refuges is enough to declare oneself a Buddhist, if you so wish.
Most of the time, this seems right to me, and also a relief, knowing that the path is open to someone like me.
Other times I hesitate. And I must admit that when I hear a white American (which I also am) say "I'm a Buddhist," I am immediately suspicious. But that could be my own hang-up about what I think a Western Buddhist should say and do.
Some traditions will allow you to take four out of the five or even three. Plum Village groups are usually like that.
Taking the Three Refuges would mean finding a Sangha either in person or those days, online.
Do both and then be mindful and honest every time you break a precept. They’re training rules and guidelines to help protect you and others. You don’t have to take them only when you’re 100% able to not break them, that’s not their purpose.
Probably. It's usually the case with Spiritual Materialism
What should an Eastern Buddhist say or do then? 😊
I'm not ready to take anything.
However you may be ready to try meditation. And I say try, because even the most advanced are still trying.
What meditation would you like to try?
We have many experienced people here, who can tell you about walking, sitting, chanting, study and even ceremony based Tantra...
Don't be a Buddhist be a meditator. The rest will come.
https://www.verywellmind.com/buddhist-meditation-8619603
The one where I can start in a chair because I have very little flexibility!
go for it. im not a sticler of the rule. just sit and see how it goes. have fun being a buddhi at. i am glad for u interested in buddhism
about the precept. as jason said its a ethical guidline to direct how you want to live in a more safe, smart, well ,,,,the point of buddhist mindset.
yes ive broken the precept, but my inclination, fall 1000 times get back up and keep at it.
....it is our intention to be a decent human in our walk, that all the buddhas cheer on.
Sure.
That is the 'Egyptian Pose' Used for those who might have preferred deckchair meditation on a beach but want to stay awake.
People use this a lot either on a stool or a straight back chair. It is quite common for Western Buddhists to use it. How long can you sit for?
About 10-15 minutes at the moment.
@Ren_in_black
Meditation is not so much about the quantity (how long one can sit), it's the quality that's important.
Quality as @Shoshin1 says...
This may seem a silly question but do you know how to breath?
I can always use more practice.
You are on the path. We are all deluded to a lesser or greater degree. We could all do with more practice. More 'Precious Jewels', as we say in Tantra Vajrayana.
Take a deep breath and...
https://buddhaweekly.com/no-time-for-daily-buddhist-practice-chant-a-mantra-a-complete-meditation-and-practice-in-a-few-precious-syllables-protection-for-the-mind-all-of-dharma-in-one-mantra/
Thank you Lobster and everyone who responded!
When you start on the path, you START on the path.
Of course you start from the point of self-delusion. It is also called the fundamental darkness. You are seeking but yet do not understand other than, possibly in a theoretical or vaguely conceptual way, what you are seeking. But is is the first step.
In my school of Buddhism, one who makes the first step is honored equally with one who has made 100,000 steps. The student is equal to the teacher in action.
Of course, in terms of knowledge and understanding, there is a difference.
The three major divisions of Buddhism are the Thervadic, the Tantric and the Mahayana
The methodology of practice will depend upon
A. Into which division one's school falls
B. The cultural mores where one is practicing
C. The sutra(s) comprising the source or basis of one's school or sangha
D. The interpretation/application of the sutra(s) as defined and applied by the school
Using my school as an example.
My practice falls within the Mahayana
While the origin of of my school arises from Japan, and the basic practice is the same worldwide, being in a Western nation, specifically the USA, when practicing in even a formal group setting, men and women do not sit separately. A small thing, but a cultural difference.
My school has the Lotus Sutra s the primary sutra
It is a derivative the the Tendai or Tien Tai lineage with Nichiren as our founder.
The particular mantra is "Nam myoho renge kyo".
As this is for illustrative purposes only, not to proselytize, I will not elaborate further.
Other schools will, of course utilize or draw from other sutras, such as , for example, the Diamond sutra.They have their own methodology of practice, mudras and mantras.
Once more, you start where you are. Just as taking first step of a thousand mile journey.
Peace to all
Thank you Lionduck!
The closet temple to where I live is part of the Vietnamese Buddhist Association and they practice Mahayana. They do some services in English which I am looking forward to.