Expert: Judy - 12/26/2009

Question
Hello, my name is Steph and I am from Australia.
I was wondering if there are any rules or rituals you have to go through to become part of the Buddhist community?
I would also like to know if you are able to go into a temple without being a "member" and when I would be able to do that or if there are any particular days when temples are closed to the public.

I would also like to know if you could give me some tips on meditation as I have just begun trying it and have no one to ask for advice.

Thank you for your time and help. Hope to hear from you soon.
Steph

Answer
Steph,

I need to add something more to the previous answer.

Basically, you cross legs, so the sides of your knees are touching the floor (this is when you are having a lotus cross-leg position with legs interweaving with each other).  If you sit on the entire cushion, you are sort of in the air, and your knees are not touching the floor at all.  That’s why you need to sit only 1/2 or 1/3 of the cushion, your knees are touching the floor, and therefore your body is erect.  If you cannot sit with legs interweaving, then just simply crossing legs over is fine.  Don't force yourself to do anything.  This way, the sides of your knees are NOT going to touch the floor either, but at least the sides of your legs are.  Basically, we want our bodies to be supported by the position of the legs and the cushion steadily.  It's like a tripod for a camera.  The bottom of your body axis is one point and the legs (knees) are the other two points; they form a triangle to support the body.