Buddhism found its origins in the 5th century BC during the awakening of the great man Siddhartha Gautama. He is the first Buddha who succeeded in reaching Nirvana. To learn about Buddhism, you must first of all reject the existence of God in itself. The path to initiation into Buddhism is a bit long, but it is worth it. To do it, here are 10 steps you need to know. After this initiation, anyone who wants to become a Buddhist will officially become one.
Introduction to Buddhism with the Study of Buddhism
As before, it is really important to collect information regarding Buddhism. We must therefore keep in mind that lack of information is an evil. There are terms and concepts in Buddhism that are quite difficult to understand. The choice of the spiritual path must not only be based on feeling, it must also make a critical evaluation of Buddhism, its purpose and its teaching. So, here are some specific terms that are still used daily in the path of Buddhism.
First of all, the Buddha is a person who has reached Nirvana during his learning in Buddhism. He therefore succeeded in his awakening. Then, The Dharma is the set of teachings of the Buddha. It is also the set of laws, political, family and personal norms. Afterwards, we have the Sangha which designates the community of Buddhism, the set of practitioners and followers who learn how to awaken. Finally, there is Nirvana which is one of the key concepts of Buddhism, it is synonymous with a state of permanent happiness or paradise.
Get introduced to Buddhism by analyzing the different paths to Buddhism
Currently, there are only two main paths to becoming a Buddhist. First, we have Theravada which is an ancient branch of Hinayana Buddhism. Quite conservative, it is also closer to primitive Buddhism than other existing Buddhist traditions. Then, Mahayana Buddhism which is redefined as the original Buddhism. Even though they have slight differences, what you need to keep in mind is that the different paths lead to the same goal. Theravada is primarily Dharma oriented while Mahayana is primarily focused on the goal of becoming a Bodhisattva.
Study Buddhist teachings
Although monasteries certainly have books available for studying the Sutras, it should be noted that they are also available on the Internet with a little research. Some Buddhist monks have written works that explain what the Sutras are. Among the best known, we can find the Heart Sutra, the Sutra of the Dais of the Gift of the Law, the Diamond Sutra or the Lotus Sutra.
Once you have assimilated enough information about Buddhism, it is then only a matter of choosing to want to teach it to others. However, assimilating too much information quickly is strongly discouraged, as there are hundreds of Buddhist teachings and concepts that could lead to confusion. Attending classes given in monasteries or temples would be an excellent way to gain more information and knowledge about Buddhism.
Understanding what Nirvana and Karma are
Nirvana is defined as the end of cycles of reincarnation. In Buddhism, the goal is to achieve Nirvana which consists of putting an end to all suffering and illusions which are sources of unhappiness for human beings. According to Buddhists, human beings reincarnate until they reach Nirvana. You should know that reincarnations take different forms. In other words, a human being in this life may not be reincarnated as a human in his next life, but as vegetation or other sources of life.
Among other things, reincarnation depends greatly on karma, hence the importance of the relationship between Karma and Nirvana. But what is Karma? Karma determines the reincarnation of a being. It is made up of good and bad actions carried out during the previous life, namely those present and those to come. Performing good actions will therefore develop positive karma while bad actions will generate negative karma.
Understanding the existence of the four noble truths in Buddhism
In wanting to be a Buddhist, one must at all costs understand the four noble truths which are Dukkha, Samudaya, Nirodha and Magga. These four noble truths are the pillars of Buddhism. They are there to help reduce human suffering, but also to free sources of desires that are harmful to them, such as pleasure. But what really are these four noble truths?
Dukkha is existence itself imbued with suffering. Being born and growing old is painful. Illness is also another suffering. For the second noble truth, namely Samudaya, it designates the origin of suffering. It is completely logical to think that suffering does not happen alone. It is there because there are things that caused it. The thirst for new things is the most immediate cause of suffering. Furthermore, Nirodha is the way to eradicate this suffering. This is the third noble truth. Now that the source of suffering is known, human beings will seek to avoid it or even eliminate it permanently in order to avoid suffering again. Thus, we must act on the causes of suffering in order to be freed. Finally, Magga is a noble path composed of eight very distinct elements. The simultaneous practice of these eight elements allows one to achieve Nirvana.
Attend Buddhist temples and join the community
To integrate the Buddhist community, you can visit temples and monasteries. The latter offer discovery, meditation or mutual aid stays. Attending Buddhist temples allows you to understand the life of the Buddha and his teaching, namely the Dharma. Additionally, Buddhism has a community which is currently called the Sangha. As an aspirant, you must not be afraid to join this community. Also, it is necessary to travel with Buddhists.
It’s a very good way to get involved in the community. Buddhism is open to anyone who wants to convert. Staying in touch with the Buddhist community is also an excellent initiative to easily learn about Buddhism. By going to the monastery closest to your home, you can attend prayer and meditation sessions. However, Buddhism presents linguistic barriers since it is especially widespread in Asia, China and Japan. It is very beneficial to know and speak many languages.
Search and take the path to the 3 Refuges
To be able to become a Buddhist, you must seek out and take the path of the 3 refuges since these three are the fundamental bases of the rite of initiation into Buddhism. This means having respect for the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha, but also proving that there is a determination to move towards what is true and good. In other words, recognizing the possession of the ability to love and understand everything that is around. Taking refuge is also the knowledge of the source and the origin of Buddhism, Buddha is the one who shows the way to follow and who teaches the understanding of love.
It must be emphasized that the totality of the elements that make up this world is known as Dharma. We must understand that it is consciousness that guides the path to liberation. It shows the path leading to love, to the understanding of peace and to the deep vision of things. Apart from all these, you should know that living and adapting in the Buddhist community is also synonymous with living in harmony and full consciousness. The Sangha is composed in particular of what is all around, namely friends, family and the Buddhist master.
Understand and respect the five Precepts of Buddhism
Buddhist status is obtained after taking refuge in the three jewels of Buddhism. The Buddhist must respect certain oaths made during the passage ceremony. During reincarnation in his next life, the Buddhist will not be demoted to the lower worlds thanks to the respect of these five precepts.
The first precept is not to kill, in other words, not to harm the lives of other people. The second precept insists on not stealing or not taking what is not given to you while knowing how to be content with the things you have. As for the third, it emphasizes not committing sexual misconduct, that is, not having illegitimate sexual relations or abstaining from illicit sexual relations. The Fourth insists on the fact that the practitioner of Buddhism must under no circumstances lie and therefore must not spread false words. And finally, the last one focuses on consuming products that alter the mind such as drugs or alcohol. If the practitioner decides not to follow one of these five Precepts, he must repent and not do it again in the future.
Buddhist meditation
After the theoretical part, it is now time to move on to practice. Buddhist meditation is the set of skillful techniques for bringing out what is happening in the mind. Once the functioning of the mind is understood, a certain inner freedom is gained and allows one to follow the path to emancipation.
The best way to practice Buddhist meditation is to find a spiritual friend or qualified master and receive meditation instructions. Not only is Buddhist meditation vast in meaning, but it is also known as vast in methods. It can be simple and technically complicated at the same time. It aims for the perfect awakening of a Buddha. It is good not to confuse it with entertainment-relief meditation which, even though it has similarities, differs on many essential points.
Currently, Buddhist meditation is being hijacked and perverted by people who seek only profit or glory. Buddhist meditation must be taken as a whole. It must naturally lead to a change in the way of living. It directs life in the right direction while giving it the true meaning, in particular that of reaching the supreme awakening of the Buddha. Within the Sangha, the practice of meditation will be easier and more pleasant.
Following the Middle Path
Following the Middle Way allows Buddhists to have a fairly balanced life. It must be learned by associating it with daily life. The Middle Way consists of avoiding two extremes, namely the incessant search for sensual pleasure and asceticism. The practice leads to self-purification, by oneself. It is also known as the middle way or the middle way. It allows you to achieve awakening and liberation from suffering thanks to eight elements. Right intention is translated as having the will to do something.
In addition, intention interacts with sight which conditions desires and the decisions that result from them. Desires condition the views which serve as their justification. Right intention and right view form the conditions for a mind correctly set on the path. You should know that Right Vision is the understanding of reality and the four noble truths. Right action is linked to respect for the Five Precepts. Right Speech concerns not lying, not sowing discord or disunity, not using foul language. Right consciousness consists of mastering all parts of the body, emotions and thoughts. Right subsistence is the fact of being content with what one has, sticking to just the means of survival and existence. Right concentration is the establishment of being in awareness, that is to say not only concentrating on what is essential while avoiding superfluous things. And finally, Right effort or right perseverance based on overcoming what is unfavorable and undertaking what is favorable.
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1 comment
Baya
Je vien de voir et comprendre aide moi à être initié s.v.p