How can someone become a Buddhist?
If you would like to make Buddhism your religion, there are some things to consider. First one should be familiar with the basic tenants of Buddhism such as karma, rebirth, Four Noble Truths, The Eight Fold Path and the Five Precepts. It is not necessary to accept all of these concepts at the start, but one should be willing consider them. The Buddha never asked his disciples to believe something because he said it. He said that one needed to prove it true for yourself. Simply practicing Chan meditation and adopting some of Buddha’s philosophy does not make a person a Buddhist. Of course these practices may be used to further or enhance any religious practice from Christianity and Judaism to Hinduism. To formally make Buddhism your religion involves three steps. The first is to take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma (the doctrines and truths taught by the Buddha) and Sangha (the community of Buddhist including both lay and ordained members). The second is to receive the Five Precepts: 1. No
Hi mesagi- My name is Rick & I’m a member of the Soka Gakkai Buddhist organization. I’m a licensed psychotherapist working in a Medicaid manged care company (i.e. insurance for the poor). I’ve been chanting for 8 and one-half years (nb: and meditated for 7 years before that time). To become a member an S.G.I. Buddhist member you would attend a local S.G.I. Discussion meeting and start chanting with a member who can teach you about the practice. Should you find the chanting, meetings, study etc. of value, you would receive the Gohonzon (Sacred Scroll) that you chant to daily. We are in 190 countries, so you can practice with others wherever you go. Most members are ordinary people like you and me (nb: although I will say there are some really well known SGI members who have turned their lives around practicing our form of Buddhism, like Tina Tuner – see the film “Whats Love Got to Do With It”, Richard Gere, Herbie Hancock & Suzanne Vega – the latter of which won Grammy Awards this year,
