My Tibetan Buddhist name is Sonam Yeshi. I have taken the vows of a Bodhisattva. My enlightenment began 40 years ago while alone on a starry Autumn night. I have been pursuing this spiritual journey ever since. Buddhism is a philosophy and a religion...it will be to you what you live it to be. In my own personal practice my Buddhism does not speak directly of God or a god. Buddha was not, and is not, a god. I bow to his image but I do not worship him or his image. Buddhism is a system of ethical behavior. It is a path on the way to righteousness...it is the path to a life of loving kindness. My practice of Buddhism leaves open a pursuit of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. This is not true for all Buddhists but for me Buddhist teachings have led me to personal realizations about God and eternity. My practice demands I act on the epiphany that awakened me lo those many years ago. I am a firm believer that the test of any philosophy (or religion) is: "Does it work?" Within that answer will be found truths and the revelation of the Great Secret. You should check the world news and decide if the worldly ways work better than the ways I suggest you examine. Which way will make you a better person? If you expect to stand before your God some day, which way would give you the most confidence that you will be told "Well done good and faithful servant?" If you believe your actions create an essence (Karma) upon which will be based your assignment (s) in the next life or lives, which path prepares you best?
To become a Buddhist you need only take refuge in The Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Say this three times: I take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. When you take refuge in the Buddha you are taking refuge in the life example of this itinerant teacher who gave his life to spiritual pursuit. Taking refuge in the Dharma means you choose to examine with a willing and pure heart his teachings. The core teachings are the Four Noble Truths. Buddha taught that life lacks eternal satisfaction and there is suffering. There is a cause of this dissatisfaction. The cause is our attachment to impermanent things. There is an answer to this suffering and it lies within the following of the Noble Eightfold Path (Righteous Outlook, Intention, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness and Concentration). Taking refuge in the Sangha means you are joining that (loose or formal) body of people who wish to encourage each other and all beings in the pursuit of this spiritual path of discovery and enlightenment. If you sincerely say the refuge vow three times (or even once) you are now a Buddhist. Congratulations. In some ways this is similar to (and totally compatible with) what Christians mean when they accept Jesus as their savior. Indeed, some of us believe that Jesus was influenced by Buddhist teachings that existed 500 years before his birth. My Buddhist practice has great reverence for Jesus Christ. I encourage you to begin searching out the great wealth of knowledge and teachings available on the Internet and in the various Buddhist centers and Sanghas around the country. There are different "schools" or denominations. They are all compatible because they are all based on the Four Noble Truths. It is a kind of cafeteria system of teachings and practices that are dedicated to helping each (from his or her particular station or situation) on the path to enlightenment and awakening. If it works for you and follows the Eightfold Path it is part of your Buddhist journey.
Fundamental to the practice of Buddhism for many of us is meditation. Through this practice we clear our minds as rest and as preparation for learning better ways of pursuing the righteous path. Even in a group we meditate alone. You really can't fool yourself especially when you are alone. Someone once said prayer is talking to God but meditation is hearing from God. To begin to meditate you may wish to simply sit and count your breaths. You could also sound a gong and follow the sound to its destination. There are also many guided meditations that are helpful.
My vows as a Bodhisattva tell me to offer aid and encouragement to anyone pursuing the Buddha's teachings. I do this willingly. (A Bodhisattva is driven by compassion on his or her journey to becoming a Buddha. The Bodhisattva has taken special vows to aid all in encountering the Dharma and enlightenment. The Buddha was the original Bodhisattva and Jesus was a similar example of the Bodhisattva way of life.) Feel free to email me for suggested sites and sources of information. I can't be the teacher but I can share with you the sources that I find instructive. I have no illusions. All I am is a man who is in the process of awakening. More than that would violate my vows. I do this for the good of all sentient beings and include this information for the same reasons. Again, congratulations. You have taken a step toward a new level of spiritual endeavor. It is a personal and private step. It is a pursuit where the journey and the destination become one with your soul, mind and spirit .
Traditionally among Buddhists the prayer/vow that makes you a Buddhist is said three times in the Pali language. The Pali language was used to record many of the Buddha's teachings. You may wish to join us in this tradition and say the vow as many of us have:
Buddham saranam gacchami
Dhammam saranam gacchami
Sangham saranam gacchami
Dutiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami
Dutiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami
Dutiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami
Tatiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami
Tatiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami
Tatiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami
In English:
I go to the Buddha for refuge.
I go to the Dhamma (Dharma) for refuge.
I go to the Sangha for refuge.
For a second time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.
For a second time, I go to the Dhamma (Dharma) for refuge.
For a second time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.
For a third time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.
For a third time, I go to the Dhamma (Dharma) for refuge.
For a third time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.
One final thing. We often recite a mantra. This is a kind of prayer and a kind of statement of instruction and belief. This is the most widespread one in Tibetan Buddhism: "Om Mani Padme Hum (Often Pronounced Ohm Mahnee Padmay Hung) Literally: The jewel is in the lotus. It is the mantra of compassion. According to the Dalai Lama, this mantra means one can transform one's impure body, speech and mind into those of a Buddha by following the path which is an indivisible union of method and wisdom. Many of us have found it has a remarkable effect when one says it with full sincerity and concentration.
You need go no further. I'm sure you will hunger and thirst for more knowledge and teaching but you have a lifetime of essence in just this page of thoughts. This is basic Buddhism...simple yet so very complicated. It can be summed up as a life path where there is no possessiveness. Discernment into the nature of reality is guided by love and compassion.
