How do you "convert" to Buddhism?

[Happyhippychick]

(I hope this is the correct forum)

I have been reading about Buddhism for some time and have visited several Buddhist countries. I am Jewish by birth and cannot give up the culture of Judaism (don't want to give it up, too meaningful to me) but I would like to explore Buddhism as well. Can one be both and how does one go about learning more?

Thanks for any ideas and advice.

[roguevalley]

1. I personally believe it is easier to be closer to the truth by going

on your journey and taking from it those things that help you grow and give you peace. A crazy quilt of beliefs informs me. Good journey.

[non sociopath skin]

3. I agree.

The Skin

[Silent3]

8. I don't see how a search for things that give you peace...

...and a search for truth are necessarily the same search. Many truths are unsettling, and sometimes the best truth one can find is to say, "I don't know", a truth with which many people feel unsatisfied.

[roguevalley]

29. Finding out that forgiving your enemies gives you the kind of peace

you cannot experience in conflict any other way is one of those hard truths but once understood, it just opens vistas for you that nothing else can. I also found it a great deal easier than most think. I find that when I search for truth, I get peace. Hard trials can lead to good outcomes.

[MrPerson]

2. Just Say Ommmmm.

[Warpy]

4. Buddhism isn't the temples, the robes, the chanting, the incense or the prayer wheels

Buddhism is the daily practice of meditation.

Buddha himself said not to believe a word of what he said but to try meditation and see if it worked.

It's entirely consistent with other religious/ethnic practices.

I'd suggest visiting Buddhist websites, some of which have guided meditation MP3s.

[Donnachaidh]

5. start on the net

http://www.buddhanet.net/

You can read up on the different sects, and then check to see if there is a locale near you. There is much on the net, and finding a local group will help you decide.

[jobycom]

6. In Soviet Union, Buddhism converts to... Oh, never mind. nt

[TexasProgresive]

7. I think that you can be both

I hope this is helpful"

A Jewish Buddhist (also Jubu or Buju) is a person with a Jewish ethnic or religious background who practices forms of Buddhist meditation and spirituality. The term Jubu was first brought into wide circulation with the publication of The Jew in the Lotus by Rodger Kamenetz. In some cases, the term can refer to individuals who practice both traditions, in other cases "Jewish" is no more than an ethnic designation, where the person's main religious practice is Buddhism. In yet other cases, a Jubu is simply a Jew with an interest in Buddhism. A large demographic of Jewish Buddhists, constituting its majority, still maintain religious practices and beliefs in Judaism coupled with Buddhist practices and perhaps beliefs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Buddhist

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

9. Start at Naraka.

[demwing]

39. I cant. There's a Giant in my way.

and I'm not ready to give up an eye, not yet.


Those who know, know. Those who do not, are pretty much saying "WTF?" right now.

[LostinVA]

10. You can be Buddhist and anything else (Jewish, Catholic, etc.)

Buddhism can be either a religious or ethical path. One of my senseis is a "full fledged" Buddhist and a Catholic. He is not ordained as a Buddhist priest, of course, but that's not unusual in the US. My current teacher IS ordained, and she has been religious a Buddhist for decades.

The best thing for you to do is go to your nearest Zendo, or temple if you're not interested in Zen. I'm a Soto Zen Buddhist. Go for a month or two, if you like it, make a formal request to start studies.

Do tradition of Buddhism are you intertested in? Do you sit?

PM me with this info, okay? I can point you to someone to talk to.

[Speck Tater]

16. My sister knows two Catholic nuns who are also Buddhists. nt

[LostinVA]

18. One of the most respected "Zen Masters" is Father Kennedy here in Northern NJ

ie Kennedy Roshi. He's also written some books about Zen/Christian issues. He started Morningstar Zendo in Jersey City.

[tekisui]

11. Buddhism allows for any previous held beliefs.

It is less of a belief, and more of a practice. Buddhists offer no opinion on God or dogma or doctrine. Only practice. If you are interested, read books written by Buddhist monks or practitioners. Incorporate what appeals to you, experience on your own, and that's it!

You can take it as far as you want, go to lectures, meditation circles, temples, or just practice to yourself.

But, you are already practicing Buddhism, it is just realizing it. :)

[Occam Bandage]

12. By not converting to Buddhism. nt

[OregonBlue]

13. Simply study and follow the eightfold path as set forth by Gautama Buddha.

[roughsatori]

14. Find a Sangha in your area and attend.

There are many kinds of Buddhists. You may need to explore and find which is a proper fit for you. There are sects of Buddhists that are non-theist, and sects that are theist. Though many Americans will tell you to pick and choose what bits you like - some Buddhists, like some Christians, or Jews, will take offense at that kind of approach. Some feel it is better to be a good Jew than it is to be a haphazard Buddhist. Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche wrote a classic book on the topic: "Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism." Chogyam Trungpa was a controversial teacher who has touched me deeply.

There is a formal ritual: In taking refuge one vows to take refuge in the Buddha, Sangha (congregation of people as in a Temple or Church group), and Dharma (the way or truth). I have known a few devout Jews, and Christians who do find that the practice of non-theist Buddhism is a complementary practice. Of course, they have had to navigate through members of their original Faith practice. Some Christians absolutely flip at the idea of the practice of meditation as handed down from Buddha. They will be ignorant of the fact that Buddha taught before Jesus was born. You will find people who claim that the mix is a corruption of one or the other religion. Some approach Buddhism as a philosophy and find it makes a wonderful addition to their Faith tradition.

Most Sanghas offer free meditation instruction one night a week. Some offer weekly lectures and classes. When I live near a Sangha, I will meditate with the group on Wed. for one hour: 45 minutes of sitting and 15 of walking. And Sundays for 3 hours of sitting. Meditation is a must if one is to learn about Buddhism. On my own, away from a Sangha, I find I am a lazy. We use the term "sitting" as opposed to "meditation." This is done because the word "meditation" is fraught with baggage and lends a false air of importance to the act of sitting and breathing.

You may want to look at Mahayana, Hinayana (now frequently referred to as Theravada) , and Vajrayana schools of thought - see which would be most simpatico for you. There are sects of Buddhism that are quite scholarly that may, or may not, appeal to you. My recommendation is to simply start by reading the words of Buddha and meditating. But keep in mind this teaching of Buddha's: "Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."

My own understanding of Buddhism is quite limited. I apologize for this off the top of my head post. I hope it helps at least a little bit.

[Happyhippychick]

23. Very helpful reply, thanks so much.

[LostinVA]

25. I sent you a PM with info to Sanghas in your area

Also, get a "Buddhism for Dummies" book and read, see what path draws you, and go for it. Remember that some Buddhist paths are quite conservation (re: anti gay, etc.). That book or the "Idiot's" book will lay this all out and give you a better idea of where you want to go.

Lots of great resources and sanghas in your area.

[Happyhippychick]

27. Thank you! Very kind of you to help.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

15. Yes

Spirituality is really one idea seen from many different angles--so you can explore one or more of them. There are a lot of good Jewish fellows who are initiated Sufis, for example. And then check out my signature line. The Dalai Lama was one of the teachers of the current head of my Order, who studied and appreciated Buddhism, but who remained a Sufi.

[Why Syzygy]

26. Allow me to tag

on to this thread to ask: what are the **** called (such as your sig line/and mine) which the Zen masters use to teach? There's a proper name for them which I'm trying to recall.

edit: It came to me. "Koan". ;)

[onestepforward]

17. I once heard a Buddhist monk state that...

Buddhism is only considered a religion for the purpose of taxes and he considered it more of a philosophy or "science of the mind." That is the way that I see it.

For myself, Buddhism helps to give me a broader why to look at life from a different perspective and gives me alternative ways to look at and deal with problems and situations in life. Per the Dalai Lama, Buddhism is basically equal parts of wisdom and compassion, which I think are common with all major religions for the most part. I think of Buddhism as a spice rather than the main coarse and truly believe that anybody of any religion could actually benefit from Buddhism with or without converting. Meditation, for example, can enhance prayers. I heard a story about a group of Catholic nuns in India who would get meditation lessons from Buddhist monks.

Just a little FYI about Buddhism here in America, Jewish Americans are about 10% of the population, but in American Buddhists, 20% have a Jewish background.

[LostinVA]

20. Well, Buddhism is certainly a religion to many for more than tax reasons

I know many ordained Buddhist priests and many lay practitioner who would very offended by that characterization. Myself included.

[onestepforward]

22. Sorry. Didn't mean to offend at all. Just sharing my experience.

[AllenVanAllen]

41. Ajahn Brahm is the monk who spoke of religion and buddhism

Here is a great new talk from one of my favorite teachers.
It's a one hour talk but he covers the core of the talk in the first two minuets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIeLuMX-2p8


Ajahn Brahm




Peace! :)

[Speck Tater]

19. A good place to start is...

http://www.dharmaseed.org/

This is a HUGE collection of mp3 recorded talks from some of America's leading Buddhist teachers covering all aspects of Buddhism.

Select the "Teachers" button, and start with Jack Kornfield (36 hours worth), then Sharon Salzberg (64 hours worth), and for the REALLY detailed in-depth advanced stuff, Joseph Golstein (325 hours of recorded lectures)

For a more easy-going, beginner-oriented introduction, you'll find a lot of video lectures by famed Australian teacher Ajahn Brahm at http://www.youtube.com/user/BuddhistSocietyWA

In short, Buddhism is not something you believe in, it's something you do. Many serious Buddhists are not part of any congregation (or sangha, to use the Sanskrit/Pali word that means the same thing), but do practice daily meditation, and either attend or listen online to recordings of lessons given by well respected meditation teachers.

[county worker]

21. Buddhism is not a religion.

It's a way of living your life. You don't need to convert. There are more than one brand also. Some meditate some chant. The Buddha said to investigate it first.

That is one of the stories that is told. A man went to a temple to argue his beliefs with the monks and after a while he wanted to follow the teachings of Buddha. He asked the monk how to become a Buddhist and the monk told him to go investigate it first.

[Happyhippychick]

24. Thanks so much for all of the helpful replies.

[Peregrine Took]

28. We live in Chicago and my husband attended a meditation class at a local

Buddhist temple. Then he started going to weekly meditation sessions there.

A few months after doing so he inquired as to how to become a member of the temple, i.e. convert to Buddhism. A short while later he participated in a ceremony at this temple wherein he was blesssed and got his Buddhist name.

The people in his "vows" group (about 30 newbies) were either Catholic or Jewish.

[MrPerson]

30. You have to imagine one hand clapping. (involves jerking off)

[ZombieHorde]

31. My guess would be to consume Buddhist literature and meditate.

Visiting several different Buddhist centers may help.

[Silent3]

32. Given your screen name...

...I thought you'd suggest simply consuming Buddhists.

[ZombieHorde]

33. That would be a lesson in patience for the Buddhists. nt

[Lydia Leftcoast]

34. Depends on what kind of Buddhism

:shrug:

If it's Zen, I think all you have to do is practice it, but I think Nichiren Shoshu requires a formal conversion process.

There are several dozen varieties of Buddhism.

[conscious evolution]

35. What is your goal?

Do you intend to end the cycle of reincarnationand rebirth or do you plan on sticking around to help others end the cycle?

[RagAss]

36. You don't convert. You "awaken" to the intuition that you are the God you seek.

[materialist101]

37. Funny I'm from a country with tons of buddhists

You can be secular buddhists or monastery buddhists. Basically as secularists, you can do whatever you want, veggism is optional. As for monastery buddhists, things can be quite ugly. I remember reading a book, a girl went to tibet, and after a young monk did her a favor, she thanked him and shook his hand. But the young monk , at around 15 or 16 years old, just wouldn't let her hand go. because he never touched any part of a female and will probably remain so for the rest of his life.
This is what really disgusted me. I talked to some monks and buddhist before. Spewing outta their mouths are just load of crap after load of crap. I don understand why faith is so important. If you have to "convert" to something, I recommend confucianism. It does not tell you ridiculous things like reincarnation or afterlife, it tells you how to live a life of merit.

[Sandrine for you]

38. By stupidity, like for any other religion....

[demwing]

40. What is the sound of one Jew converting?

Meditate on this, and the answer will be revealed.