Advice please - thinking of becoming Buddhist
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I would be grateful for some advice on the following issues.
I have been studying Buddhism on a fairly superficial level for about 4 years - it started by using meditation/breath observation for stress relief. I have become more and more interested in it, and have been particularly helped by the books of Thich Naht Hanh.
I feel now that I would like to commit to following the precepts of Buddhism more officially. I'm a little confused about the following:
1. Do you "become" a Buddhist by undertaking to follow the five precepts officially in front of an ordained monk or something? (I am planning to join a Thich Naht Hanh-inspired sangha soon, so maybe they will be able to help me).
2. I have read about so many different texts that seem to form part of the Dhamma, and am confused by all the Sutras, etc. How many teachings are there that make up the official literature of Buddhism, is it possible to buy them all together in one book or is that wishful thinking
Hope this doesn't sound silly. would be grateful for advice.
Many thanks -
CONGRATS! Buddhist-to-be
Truly difficult it is to have entered the Buddhadoor in this lifetime.Originally posted by la lapine blanche:
You become a Buddhist by taking refuge in the Three Treasures, Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, preferably taking it with an ordained monk and Sangha community. You should first find a good Sangha which you are comfortable with and then take refuge.
I would be grateful for some advice on the following issues.
I have been studying Buddhism on a fairly superficial level for about 4 years - it started by using meditation/breath observation for stress relief. I have become more and more interested in it, and have been particularly helped by the books of Thich Naht Hanh.
I feel now that I would like to commit to following the precepts of Buddhism more officially. I'm a little confused about the following:
1. Do you "become" a Buddhist by undertaking to follow the five precepts officially in front of an ordained monk or something? (I am planning to join a Thich Naht Hanh-inspired sangha soon, so maybe they will be able to help me).2. I have read about so many different texts that seem to form part of the Dhamma, and am confused by all the Sutras, etc. How many teachings are there that make up the official literature of Buddhism, is it possible to buy them all together in one book or is that wishful thinking
Buddha taught for 45 years after his enlightenment.
Hope this doesn't sound silly. would be grateful for advice.
Many thanks
You are right that there are simply so many sutras - that it is impossible to finish reading them. What you should do is to follow an enlightened teacher who can guide you and practise what he/she taught. That will be a lot faster - otherwise you can read all the sutras and yet not become enlightened. -
Thank you for your advice.
Another thing that concerns me is knowing who to trust. For example, I studied meditation within the New Kadampa tradition for several years, and although I found the strong Tibetan cultural context a little unfamiliar I thought it was fine. I was then really disturbed to learn that they are listed on the cults section of the Buddhist Council because of remarks made about the Dalai Lama (who I admire a lot). If I had known this I wouldn't have got involved. I also thought that FWBO looked appealing because of its Western slant on Buddhism until I learned that they apparently are not to be trusted either. Doesn't seem like I have very good judgement!
Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings and books seem very true and helpful to me and I am interested in joining a sangha within his organisation (Community of Interbeing/United Buddhist Church). I would be grateful to know if anyone has heard anything negative about this group - they seem sincere and genuine to me.
Many thanks. -
Yes Thich Naht Hanh is a sincere zen master and practitioner. Unfortunately I dont recall any Thich Naht Hanh sangha in Singapore...Originally posted by la lapine blanche:Thank you for your advice.
Another thing that concerns me is knowing who to trust. For example, I studied meditation within the New Kadampa tradition for several years, and although I found the strong Tibetan cultural context a little unfamiliar I thought it was fine. I was then really disturbed to learn that they are listed on the cults section of the Buddhist Council because of remarks made about the Dalai Lama (who I admire a lot). If I had known this I wouldn't have got involved. I also thought that FWBO looked appealing because of its Western slant on Buddhism until I learned that they apparently are not to be trusted either. Doesn't seem like I have very good judgement!
Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings and books seem very true and helpful to me and I am interested in joining a sangha within his organisation (Community of Interbeing/United Buddhist Church). I would be grateful to know if anyone has heard anything negative about this group - they seem sincere and genuine to me.
Many thanks. -
Maybe Buddhist Fellowship is a good place to seek advise, especially for English speaking individuals.
There are a few reliable Venerables who frequent sg
1. Venerable Chodron
2. Venerable Ajahn Brahm
etc. -
If you happen to be located in Singapore, you can also try Buddha Dhamma Mandala Society (BDMS) where their website is http://www.bdms.org.sg/ .
Their spiritual director is Ven. S. Dhammika who conducts Sutta Discussions on Friday evenings & "All About Buddhism" course on Sunday mornings.
Occasionally, they do have other Ven. members of the Sangha, such as Ven. Bhikkuni Bodhi, visiting to conduct seminars & short courses.
So for further details, check out the above website. Btw, they also conduct 3 Refuges for Buddhists-to-be. -
Thanks to everyone for advice.
I actually live in England so I have a Thich Nhat Hanh sangha quite close.
Thanks again -
Oh I see... btw, how did you found out about this forum?Originally posted by la lapine blanche:Thanks to everyone for advice.
I actually live in England so I have a Thich Nhat Hanh sangha quite close.
Thanks again -
Oh yes! Ven. S. Dhammika is actually from Australia.Originally posted by la lapine blanche:Thanks to everyone for advice.
I actually live in England so I have a Thich Nhat Hanh sangha quite close.
Thanks again
Btw, which part of England are you from? -
What has Australia got to do with England?Originally posted by supa_naga:Oh yes! Ven. S. Dhammika is actually from Australia.
Btw, which part of England are you from?
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LOL I live in Derbyshire, in central England. I found this forum very easily - just did a Google for Buddhist chat forums.
Australia - part of the Great British Empire!
Just kidding. -
If you like, you may visit Manchester Buddhist Centre at 16-20 Turner StreetOriginally posted by la lapine blanche:LOL I live in Derbyshire, in central England. I found this forum very easily - just did a Google for Buddhist chat forums.
Australia - part of the Great British Empire! Just kidding.
Manchester M4 1DZ. It's right at the city centre, 10 to 15 minutes walk from the railway station. -
Hi
You can consider Ajahn Sumedho, senior western disciple of Ajahn Chah - forest monk tradition. Ajahn Sumedho has a good presence in UK. If I'm not mistaken Ajahn Sumedho is an American.
http://www.buddhanet.net/masters/sumedho.htm
Main Temple:
Amaravati Buddhist Monastery
Great Gaddesden
Hemel Hempstead
Herts HP1 3BZ England
Tel: 01422 842455
Fax: 01442 843721
Web site: www.amaravati.org
Britain
Harnham Buddhist Monastery
Harnham, Belsay
Northumberland NE20 0HF
Hartridge Buddhist Monastery
Upottery, Honiton
Devon EX14 9QE.
Tel: 01661 881612
Fax: 01661 881019
Web site: www.ratanagiri.org.uk
Email: community@ratanagiri.org.uk
Cittaviveka
Chithurst Buddhist Monastery
Chithurst, Petersfield
Hampshire GU31 5EU
Tel: 01730 814986
Fax: 01730 817334
Web site: www.forestsangha.org/cittavi.htm -
Why don't some of you share the path you yourself took from as a non Buddhist to a novice to where you are now? Are you still progressing? Are you stuck? What were some of the difficulties you faced in your journey. Describe some of your life experiences that you can attribute to your Buddhist faith.
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Venerable Chodron is an American, website is available at
http://www.thubtenchodron.org
Venerable Ajahn Brahm is a British-Australian, website is available at
http://www.bswa.org
Both websites offer excellent Buddhism materials (articles / audios etc).
For your info. -
Well, Australia is part of the Commonwealth of Nations with England; & their head of state is the British monarch represented by the Governor-General.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:What has Australia got to do with England?
As la lapine blanche might be a Caucasian, probably he or she may feel more @ home with Ven. S. Dhammika. That's my personal opinion. -
HiOriginally posted by la lapine blanche:LOL I live in Derbyshire, in central England. I found this forum very easily - just did a Google for Buddhist chat forums.
Australia - part of the Great British Empire! Just kidding.
For your benefit, I'll provide Buddhist org's @ Derbyshire, courtesy of http://www.buddhanet.net/euro_dir/eur_uki1.htm#derby :
Chester Zen Group
23 Hamilton Street, Hoole
Chester, Cheshire CH2 3JG England
Contact: Silvia Young
Tel: (01978 ) 759-447
Fax: (01244) 313-685
Email: pardos@globalnet.co.uk
Tradition: Japanese Soto School
Lineage: Tangen Harada
Teacher: Hogen Daido Yamahata
Derbyshire Buddhist Group
Contact: Roger
Tel: 01335 360405
Tradition: Theravada
Informal links to Amaravati Buddhist Monastery
Samatha Buddhist Meditation Group - Bakewell
Contact: Rosemary Rose
Tel: 01629 814617
Email: rrose@nascr.net
Web site: www.samatha.org
Affiliation: Samatha Trust, UK National Organisation -
Yes...yes...yesOriginally posted by concerned_man:Maybe Buddhist Fellowship is a good place to seek advise, especially for English speaking individuals.
There are a few reliable Venerables who frequent sg
1. Venerable Chodron
2. Venerable Ajahn Brahm
etc.
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Many thanks, that's very kind of you all. I appreciate the info.
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that's a good idea, but maybe in a new thread. You may start the lead and i'm sure the rest will followOriginally posted by casino_king:Why don't some of you share the path you yourself took from as a non Buddhist to a novice to where you are now? Are you still progressing? Are you stuck? What were some of the difficulties you faced in your journey. Describe some of your life experiences that you can attribute to your Buddhist faith.