Question:
Hello, I am a student, and I grew up in a Extremely Catholic home and have found that I do not agree with the Catholic way of life but more of the Buddhist ideology of Karma. I was wondering if you can give me any guidance as to be more of a Buddhist and a better one. What do I need to do?? Thank you for your time
Answer:
Some people look at Buddhism as a religion. Others see it as a philosophy. Most, however, will agree that it is first and foremost a practice; it’s something that you do. It’s a way of life.
I’ll recommend three things that I think are essential to calling yourself a Buddhist. I will point out that “Buddhist” and “Catholic” are just labels and concepts, and should not be taken too seriously. There are people who live their lives following the five precepts who have never heard the words “precept” or even “Buddhism.” Here are my three things:
1. Follow the Five Precepts – I think this is the big one. I have a link below to read more on the details, but essentially, they tell us don’t kill, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t have inappropriate sex, and don’t get intoxicated. These are the general rules that the vast majority of Buddhists try very hard to follow. There is always some debate on the interpretation of some of the meanings (is caffeine an intoxicant? What is “inappropriate” sex?), but the overall rules are generally accepted.
2. Learn more and continue studying – I believe that more than any other belief system, Buddhism appeals to “thinkers.” Buddhists concentrate on ideas and situations and try to use logical thought to come to conclusions. Unlike Christianity, which has only one “must read” book, there is no single set of documents that claim perfect truth. It’s a good idea to read from a wide variety of authors and thinkers, both inside and outside the world of Buddhism and apply these ideas to what you already know. There is a definite sense of “continuing education” within Buddhism. It’s easy to learn the basics, but there is so much more to learn once you get comfortable with the foundations.
3. Meditate – In our busy society, this one doesn’t get enough emphasis. The Buddha wasn’t born enlightened, he got there through meditation, and so can you. Set aside a certain amount of time a few days a week and just sit quietly, trying your best to empty your mind. Once you get into the habit, learn more about meditation and try various techniques to see what works best for you. Then it’s practice, practice, practice!
These are my choices. #2 and #3 above aren’t strictly necessary, but I believe them to be very important. You’ll notice I didn’t mention any rituals; some might consider them necessary, but I don’t. Others will probably add their own ideas at the bottom of this article, so read on!
Read about the precepts here:
The Five Precepts: http://www.dailybuddhism.com/archives/1153
My audio show on “The Foundations of Buddhism” http://www.dailybuddhism.com/archives/1156
And a search for “Precepts” brings up many other posts: http://www.dailybuddhism.com/?s=precepts
Special Guided Meditation Audio Show: http://www.dailybuddhism.com/archives/1048