Expert: Justin Choo - 7/23/2006

Question
Hi i was wandering if possible how do you become a buddest officialy and where can i find good information about the beliefs and practises of buddism.

thanks katie

Answer
Hi Katie,

Thank you for asking me.

Buddhism is unlike other religions.  It does not require ritualistic conversion or total submission of one's freedom of thoughts.  On the contrary, it encourages its followers to use their common sense and human intelligence to analyze its teachings before accepting them.  You are already a Buddhist if in your mind you have decided to follow and practice the teachings of the Buddha.  No one can change your thoughts by any rituals.  No amount of "holy" water can wash away one's sins and ignorance.  It is in the understanding and the practice of the teachings of the Buddha that makes one a Buddhist.  You can project your Buddhist inclination by participating in temple activities and discussion and dissemination of the Buddha's teachings.

However, there is a wholesome "ritual" which we perform to enhance our commitment, and that is recitation of paying homage to the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha; and reciting the 5 precepts.

For more information please take your time to surf through the following web sites:



http://www.ksridhammananda.com
Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda is my revered teacher. His writings have benefitted countless people throughout the world.

http://www.geocities.com/wave_books
You can obtain excellent publications from them.

http://www.buddhanet.net  (The “mother” of all Buddhist web sites)
http://www.dharmanet.org
http://www.buddhism.about.com
http://www.parami.org/buddhistanswers/index.htm
http://www.nibbana.com
http://www.triplegem.net
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv
http://www.bswa.org/modules/news/
http://dharmaavenue.com/home.htm  
http://www.thebuddhistsociety.org
www.fundamental-buddhism.com
http://www.maithri.com/index.asp
http://www.parami.org/buddhistanswers/
http://www.abhayagiri.org/
Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery, the first monastery in the United States to be established by followers of Ajahn Chah, was founded in 1996 in the mountainous forests north of Ukiah, California.


There is this site in Western Australia where Ajahn Brahmawamso resides. He is an English monk and is a very popular speaker. You can listen to his talk through this site:
Buddhist Society of Western Australia  
Web site: www.bswa.org

I hope you would come back and ask me more questions once you have surfed through the above sites, and after reading more Buddhist books. I am here to share with you whatever you may want to know.

Smile from justinchoo :-)