A Buddhist Approach to Becoming a Buddhist

This article will guide you on becoming a Buddhist in five simple steps. It will also point you in the direction of further reading about each of the steps so that you can have a good understanding about them.

1. First take refuge in the Triple Gem by uttering the below (the Pali lines are what should be said out loud, the English translations are provided below them). You can do this everyday:

Buddham saranam gacchami
 I go to the Buddha for refuge.

Dhammam saranam gacchami
 I go to the Dhamma for refuge.

Sangham saranam gacchami
 I go to the Sangha for refuge.

Dutiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami
 For a second time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.

Dutiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami
 For a second time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.

Dutiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami
 For a second time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.

Tatiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami
 For a third time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.

Tatiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami
 For a third time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.

Tatiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami
 For a third time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.

Reference

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refuge_(Buddhism)

* http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/tisarana.html

* http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bodhi/wheel282.html

* http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/thanissaro/refuge.html

2. Become established in giving and generosity (dana and caga) and morality (sila).

Reference

* http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/dana/index.html

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_(Buddhism)

* http://www.vihara.org.au/go?to=dailydana

* http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sila/pancasila.html

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Precepts

3. Start practicing meditation daily (very important), atleast 30-60 minutes a day. Also go on meditation retreats.

* http://www.vihara.org.au/go?to=intromed

* http://www.vihara.org.au/go?to=mettamed

* http://tinyurl.com/d6uwxr

* http://www.vihara.org.au/go?to=revul

* http://www.dhamma.org/

4. Learn and investigate the Four Noble Truths and start treading the Noble Eightfold Path (also very important).

Reference

* http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sacca/index.html

* http://www.vihara.org.au/go?to=fourtruths

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Noble_Truths

* http://www.vihara.org.au/go?to=noblepath

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Path

* http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bodhi/waytoend.html

5. Learn the Dhamma teaching and apply it to your life in slow but steady degrees.

Reference

* http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/gqga-4ed.pdf

* http://www.accesstoinsight.org/begin.html

* Also refer to the following Buddhism/Buddhist links