Converting To Buddhism And Want To Use Forums For Discussion

[Interista]

Hello,

This is my first post here so please excuse me if I am doing anything a more experienced poster wouldn't.

I've recently come to Buddhism through meditation after living a pretty irreligious life for twenty years (I was brought up a Catholic but abandoned it when I became an adult). Buddhism really fits for me and is helping me so much in many different ways. I've suffered with depression and anxiety (with near suicide on numerous occasions) for as long as I can remember but Buddhism is helping me to learn to cope with that and slowly overcome it. I also find that the more I learn the more I find it is something I believe in and that it is very close to the belief system I have developed through my life.

I respect all beliefs and none. I understand that to be a fundamental on this forum, and I would certainly hope it to be so. Within that I also respect all Buddhist traditions, though I feel myself leaning more towards the Tibetan. I have purposefully repeated the terms I and me throughout this because I am talking purely about my beliefs and thoughts and not trying to convince anybody. I would hope that this would also be extended to me in terms of the question I am here to ask.

Basically, I am at a stage where I am convinced that a Buddhist conversion is right for me. However, I would like to ask for guidance on how to find which tradition is right for me. I would also like to ask for guidance on how to use the Buddhist section of this forum correctly. As I said, I feel the Tibetan tradition is right at the moment. I have been looking into Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche a lot and his guidance and wisdom really help me. I don't, however, want to offend a sangha by meeting with them and then deciding another tradition was for me so does anyone have any guidance on how I should go about this?

Also, if anyone is in the same position as myself in terms of Buddhism in relation to Catholicism, I am more than willing to offer support. I believe that each individual has a different way of discovering themselves, belief and spirituality and I am willing to offer impartial help if needed. As I said, I was raised Catholic, it wasn't for me but that doesn't mean I don't respect it or that I hold anything against it. Again, what works for me works for me, what works for someone else works for someone else. I am here though primarily to discuss Buddhism and seek help and support in terms of conversion and living as a Buddhist.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Greetings and salutations. I hope you enjoy the forums and find what you seek.

 

[Valjean]

Welcome, Interista

 

[crossfire]

Welcome to RF, Interista.

 

[LuisDantas]

Welcome to RF, @Interista

 

[Kartari]

Welcome Interista.

Your story sounds similar to mine: ex-Catholic turned Buddhist. I was drawn to the Tibetan schools of Buddhism as well early on, though I wound up being a more eclectic oddball sort of Buddhist with a strong connection to Zen and the Pali Canon of Theravada as well.

I would suggest asking your questions in the Buddhism DIR forum here. There are sub-forums there for more specific traditions as well.

Ultimately, you may find it best to visit multiple temples or monasteries you feel drawn to anyway. While it's a great idea to ask questions of other Buddhists here, I've found that the experience of visiting multiple places myself years ago was very enriching. There's also a gap between what you may intellectually understand about a tradition or what it should be vs. an actual experience in a real place, and that gap cannot be filled without a firsthand visit. As long as you're honest about your intentions when asked, that you're new to Buddhism and are simply seeking what you're looking for, I doubt you'll find any monks or laypeople taking offense wherever you go. In my experience, Buddhists tend to be a very understanding group of people.

Best wishes.

 

[Interista]

Thanks all. Katari, your advice is very useful and a good starting point, thanks.

 

[Geoff-Allen]

Basically, I am at a stage where I am convinced that a Buddhist conversion is right for me. However, I would like to ask for guidance on how to find which tradition is right for me.

Welcome to the forum!

There are many excellent Buddhist sites you may find on the web.

Here's one I found recently -

Compassion and Bodhicitta

I wish you well and keep asking questions!

Enjoy your time here.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Hello,

This is my first post here so please excuse me if I am doing anything a more experienced poster wouldn't.

I've recently come to Buddhism through meditation after living a pretty irreligious life for twenty years (I was brought up a Catholic but abandoned it when I became an adult). Buddhism really fits for me and is helping me so much in many different ways. I've suffered with depression and anxiety (with near suicide on numerous occasions) for as long as I can remember but Buddhism is helping me to learn to cope with that and slowly overcome it. I also find that the more I learn the more I find it is something I believe in and that it is very close to the belief system I have developed through my life.

I respect all beliefs and none. I understand that to be a fundamental on this forum, and I would certainly hope it to be so. Within that I also respect all Buddhist traditions, though I feel myself leaning more towards the Tibetan. I have purposefully repeated the terms I and me throughout this because I am talking purely about my beliefs and thoughts and not trying to convince anybody. I would hope that this would also be extended to me in terms of the question I am here to ask.

Basically, I am at a stage where I am convinced that a Buddhist conversion is right for me. However, I would like to ask for guidance on how to find which tradition is right for me. I would also like to ask for guidance on how to use the Buddhist section of this forum correctly. As I said, I feel the Tibetan tradition is right at the moment. I have been looking into Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche a lot and his guidance and wisdom really help me. I don't, however, want to offend a sangha by meeting with them and then deciding another tradition was for me so does anyone have any guidance on how I should go about this?

Also, if anyone is in the same position as myself in terms of Buddhism in relation to Catholicism, I am more than willing to offer support. I believe that each individual has a different way of discovering themselves, belief and spirituality and I am willing to offer impartial help if needed. As I said, I was raised Catholic, it wasn't for me but that doesn't mean I don't respect it or that I hold anything against it. Again, what works for me works for me, what works for someone else works for someone else. I am here though primarily to discuss Buddhism and seek help and support in terms of conversion and living as a Buddhist.

There are many forms of practice. It might take awhile to find the right tradition, still, that's Buddhism anyways.

 

[crossfire]

Hello,

This is my first post here so please excuse me if I am doing anything a more experienced poster wouldn't.

I've recently come to Buddhism through meditation after living a pretty irreligious life for twenty years (I was brought up a Catholic but abandoned it when I became an adult). Buddhism really fits for me and is helping me so much in many different ways. I've suffered with depression and anxiety (with near suicide on numerous occasions) for as long as I can remember but Buddhism is helping me to learn to cope with that and slowly overcome it. I also find that the more I learn the more I find it is something I believe in and that it is very close to the belief system I have developed through my life.

I respect all beliefs and none. I understand that to be a fundamental on this forum, and I would certainly hope it to be so. Within that I also respect all Buddhist traditions, though I feel myself leaning more towards the Tibetan. I have purposefully repeated the terms I and me throughout this because I am talking purely about my beliefs and thoughts and not trying to convince anybody. I would hope that this would also be extended to me in terms of the question I am here to ask.

Basically, I am at a stage where I am convinced that a Buddhist conversion is right for me. However, I would like to ask for guidance on how to find which tradition is right for me. I would also like to ask for guidance on how to use the Buddhist section of this forum correctly. As I said, I feel the Tibetan tradition is right at the moment. I have been looking into Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche a lot and his guidance and wisdom really help me. I don't, however, want to offend a sangha by meeting with them and then deciding another tradition was for me so does anyone have any guidance on how I should go about this?

Also, if anyone is in the same position as myself in terms of Buddhism in relation to Catholicism, I am more than willing to offer support. I believe that each individual has a different way of discovering themselves, belief and spirituality and I am willing to offer impartial help if needed. As I said, I was raised Catholic, it wasn't for me but that doesn't mean I don't respect it or that I hold anything against it. Again, what works for me works for me, what works for someone else works for someone else. I am here though primarily to discuss Buddhism and seek help and support in terms of conversion and living as a Buddhist.

OK, @Interista if you want to be able to post in the Buddhism DIR, click on your name in the upper right hand corner of the page, then click on "personal details" in the pop-up menu. On the page that loads when you click that link will be the list of DIRs you want access to. Be sure to check the box next to Dharmic Religions (and any other DIRs you want access to, then save the changes. You might have to log out then log back in for the change to take affect.

 

[Rinchen]

Just start reaching out to centers, email them, tell them where you are at and what your short term goals are (conversion, etc). If you visit a sangha and decide its not right for you, its all good! That just means to keep looking. If you have other questions, you can always PM me. I was in the same position a little over a year ago. I had studied Buddhism for a while but didnt know what to do to actually get the ball rolling. I reached out to the right person and they really helped me with finding a teacher, doing the refuge ceremony, etc.

 

[Revoltingest]

Greetings!

I rustled up some free grub for you (stolen from the RF larder).
Hope you like monk's vegetables!

 

[Sanmario]

Hello,

This is my first post here so please excuse me if I am doing anything a more experienced poster wouldn't.

I've recently come to Buddhism through meditation after living a pretty irreligious life for twenty years (I was brought up a Catholic but abandoned it when I became an adult). Buddhism really fits for me and is helping me so much in many different ways. I've suffered with depression and anxiety (with near suicide on numerous occasions) for as long as I can remember but Buddhism is helping me to learn to cope with that and slowly overcome it. I also find that the more I learn the more I find it is something I believe in and that it is very close to the belief system I have developed through my life.

I respect all beliefs and none. I understand that to be a fundamental on this forum, and I would certainly hope it to be so. Within that I also respect all Buddhist traditions, though I feel myself leaning more towards the Tibetan. I have purposefully repeated the terms I and me throughout this because I am talking purely about my beliefs and thoughts and not trying to convince anybody. I would hope that this would also be extended to me in terms of the question I am here to ask.

Basically, I am at a stage where I am convinced that a Buddhist conversion is right for me. However, I would like to ask for guidance on how to find which tradition is right for me. I would also like to ask for guidance on how to use the Buddhist section of this forum correctly. As I said, I feel the Tibetan tradition is right at the moment. I have been looking into Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche a lot and his guidance and wisdom really help me. I don't, however, want to offend a sangha by meeting with them and then deciding another tradition was for me so does anyone have any guidance on how I should go about this?

Also, if anyone is in the same position as myself in terms of Buddhism in relation to Catholicism, I am more than willing to offer support. I believe that each individual has a different way of discovering themselves, belief and spirituality and I am willing to offer impartial help if needed. As I said, I was raised Catholic, it wasn't for me but that doesn't mean I don't respect it or that I hold anything against it. Again, what works for me works for me, what works for someone else works for someone else. I am here though primarily to discuss Buddhism and seek help and support in terms of conversion and living as a Buddhist.

I love to ask you, as you are now into a different religion, namely, instead of Catholicism which is the most populated Christianism faction in the world today.

What do you worship now as a Buddhist?

 

[Sanmario]

I am really very excited to read what Interista has to share with us all, what he now worships in his for him new religion, by which he calls himself a Buddhist.

What about you dear colleagues here, what do you know about what peoples worship, in their religion by which they call themselves: Buddhists?

Now, correct me if I am wrong, Christians call themselves Christians, because they worship Christ, or more specifically, Jesus Christ.

 

[crossfire]

I am really very excited to read what Interista has to share with us all, what he now worships in his for him new religion, by which he calls himself a Buddhist.

What about you dear colleagues here, what do you know about what peoples worship, in their religion by which they call themselves: Buddhists?

Now, correct me if I am wrong, Christians call themselves Christians, because they worship Christ, or more specifically, Jesus Christ.

Worship really isn't necessary in Buddhism, nor was advocated by the Buddha.

 

[crossfire]

Hello,

This is my first post here so please excuse me if I am doing anything a more experienced poster wouldn't.

I've recently come to Buddhism through meditation after living a pretty irreligious life for twenty years (I was brought up a Catholic but abandoned it when I became an adult). Buddhism really fits for me and is helping me so much in many different ways. I've suffered with depression and anxiety (with near suicide on numerous occasions) for as long as I can remember but Buddhism is helping me to learn to cope with that and slowly overcome it. I also find that the more I learn the more I find it is something I believe in and that it is very close to the belief system I have developed through my life.

I respect all beliefs and none. I understand that to be a fundamental on this forum, and I would certainly hope it to be so. Within that I also respect all Buddhist traditions, though I feel myself leaning more towards the Tibetan. I have purposefully repeated the terms I and me throughout this because I am talking purely about my beliefs and thoughts and not trying to convince anybody. I would hope that this would also be extended to me in terms of the question I am here to ask.

Basically, I am at a stage where I am convinced that a Buddhist conversion is right for me. However, I would like to ask for guidance on how to find which tradition is right for me. I would also like to ask for guidance on how to use the Buddhist section of this forum correctly. As I said, I feel the Tibetan tradition is right at the moment. I have been looking into Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche a lot and his guidance and wisdom really help me. I don't, however, want to offend a sangha by meeting with them and then deciding another tradition was for me so does anyone have any guidance on how I should go about this?

Also, if anyone is in the same position as myself in terms of Buddhism in relation to Catholicism, I am more than willing to offer support. I believe that each individual has a different way of discovering themselves, belief and spirituality and I am willing to offer impartial help if needed. As I said, I was raised Catholic, it wasn't for me but that doesn't mean I don't respect it or that I hold anything against it. Again, what works for me works for me, what works for someone else works for someone else. I am here though primarily to discuss Buddhism and seek help and support in terms of conversion and living as a Buddhist.

One thing I noticed: studying Buddhism helped me to understand Christianity better. Have you noticed the same thing?

 

[Twilight Hue]

I am really very excited to read what Interista has to share with us all, what he now worships in his for him new religion, by which he calls himself a Buddhist.

What about you dear colleagues here, what do you know about what peoples worship, in their religion by which they call themselves: Buddhists?

Now, correct me if I am wrong, Christians call themselves Christians, because they worship Christ, or more specifically, Jesus Christ.

If you really want the truth, everybody practices Buddhism wether aware of it or not. It's why when some people decide to pursue Buddhism, enlightenment is instantaneous very first time the fanny hits the cushion.

 

[Sanmario]

My observation is that Buddhists really worship Buddha.

You see, if Buddhists do not worship anything or anyone at all, in particular Buddha their founder, then they are not into any religion.

So, I am asking Buddhists here, whether born Buddhists like say native Buddhists in Thailand, or Westerners previously Christians and now calling themselves Buddhists:

Are you into a religion or not?

For if you are not into a religion, what are you into with calling yourselves Buddhists?

 

[Sanmario]

One thing I noticed: studying Buddhism helped me to understand Christianity better. Have you noticed the same thing?

"One thing I noticed: studying Buddhism helped me to understand Christianity better. Have you noticed the same thing?"

That is a testimony from yourself on yourself to your giving Buddhism credit.

Now, I invite you to tell me and readers here, one thing in Christianity that you understand better now, because of Buddhism.

 

[Kartari]

Hi Sanmario,

My observation is that Buddhists really worship Buddha.

You see, if Buddhists do not worship anything or anyone at all, in particular Buddha their founder, then they are not into any religion.

So, I am asking Buddhists here, whether born Buddhists like say native Buddhists in Thailand, or Westerners previously Christians and now calling themselves Buddhists:

Are you into a religion or not?

For if you are not into a religion, what are you into with calling yourselves Buddhists?

First of all, I do not think this is the appropriate place to conduct a religious debate. I suggest posting your questions, such as whether Buddhism is a religion or not, in a new thread in the Religious Debates forum. This is a forum for Introductions.

To briefly address your second statement above, I would suggest that you have an incorrect definition of the term "religion." A religion can be nothing more than a set of beliefs or practices generally agreed upon by a group of people, according to the dictionary. Worship can be a part of that, but not necessarily so.

Peace.