What makes one a Buddhist?

[paarsurrey]

What makes one a Buddhist?

Only if one follows the correct teachings of Buddha not that the Buddhism people or Buddhists believe. Please

Anybody, please
Regards

 

[buddhist]

I am the one and only true Buddhist (TM)

 

[Spiderman]

A true Buddhist is truly a good friend to have!

 

[james bond]

What makes one a Buddhist?

Only if one follows the correct teachings of Buddha not that the Buddhism people or Buddhists believe. Please

Anybody, please
Regards

It's practice. I'm not Buddhist, but practice it like yoga. I think it's keep it up until you get it right.

Many times the Rinban described what he was like when he was young and studying Buddhism, meditating and becoming a priest. I couldn't see the difference between what he described before and what he described when he was older except for what happened in his life back then and now. Yet, he was a different person.

He's retired now and was recently appointed the minister for the state of California.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Following the noble Eight-Fold path makes one Buddhist (or for that matter, a Hindu. 100% concurrence).
Noble Eightfold Path - Wikipedia

 

[ratikala]

Namaskaram Paarsurrey ji

What makes one a Buddhist?

Only if one follows the correct teachings of Buddha not that the Buddhism people or Buddhists believe. Please

Anybody, please
Regards

Certainly , ....it is defined by ones actions or at least ones intentions

the commonly accepted principle of Buddhism is that even the lay person should try his best to keep the five most basic principles , .....

Not to kill or to harm any living being , ....if ones consciousness is correct this should also extend to the envoment as the planet ....and entre cosmos too is a living entity upon which other living entities rely for their own wellbeing .

Not to steal or cause hardship , ....this is commonly taken to mean not to take what is not freely given , ...

Not to lie or tell falsehood , ....the only permissable time that one might refrain from giving a wholely truthfull account is when such truths themselves would become the cause of further suffering .

Not to engage in sexual misconduct , .....the lay person does not have to give up sexual relations as such relations normal within fammily life , but prohibits any form of missconduct .

Not to use or indulge in intoxicants , ....not to indulge in any mind numbing or stimulating substances as the goal of Buddism is to develop clear and even mindedness .





as to the subject of beleif , .....to be considdered Buddhist one must be acceptant of the core teachings of ...The Four noble Truths and The Eight fold Path , ....

the noble truth of suffering , ... acceptance that the cycle of birth and death is ultimatly the cause of all suffering
the noble truth of the origin of suffering , ...acceptance that the cause of our suffering comes through our attchment and craving
the noble truth of the cessation of suffering , .... the understanding that renunciation of grasping leads to freedom from suffering
the noble truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering , ..... understanding that by endndeavoring to perfect our actions by means of practicing the noble eightfold path that we may limit both our own suffering and the suffering of others .

The Noble Eightfold Path , ...

Right view
Right intention
Right speech
Rright action
Right livelihood
Right effort
Rght mindfulness
Right concentration.

 

[paarsurrey]

paarsurrey said: ↑
What makes one a Buddhist?

Only if one follows the correct teachings of Buddha not that the Buddhism people or Buddhists believe.

Namaskaram Paarsurrey ji

Certainly , ....it is defined by ones actions or at least ones intentions

the commonly accepted principle of Buddhism is that even the lay person should try his best to keep the five most basic principles , .....

Not to kill or to harm any living being , ....if ones consciousness is correct this should also extend to the envoment as the planet ....and entre cosmos too is a living entity upon which other living entities rely for their own wellbeing .

Not to steal or cause hardship , ....this is commonly taken to mean not to take what is not freely given , ...

Not to lie or tell falsehood , ....the only permissable time that one might refrain from giving a wholely truthfull account is when such truths themselves would become the cause of further suffering .

Not to engage in sexual misconduct , .....the lay person does not have to give up sexual relations as such relations normal within fammily life , but prohibits any form of missconduct .

Not to use or indulge in intoxicants , ....not to indulge in any mind numbing or stimulating substances as the goal of Buddism is to develop clear and even mindedness .





as to the subject of beleif , .....to be considdered Buddhist one must be acceptant of the core teachings of ...The Four noble Truths and The Eight fold Path , ....

the noble truth of suffering , ... acceptance that the cycle of birth and death is ultimatly the cause of all suffering
the noble truth of the origin of suffering , ...acceptance that the cause of our suffering comes through our attchment and craving
the noble truth of the cessation of suffering , .... the understanding that renunciation of grasping leads to freedom from suffering
the noble truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering , ..... understanding that by endndeavoring to perfect our actions by means of practicing the noble eightfold path that we may limit both our own suffering and the suffering of others .

The Noble Eightfold Path , ...

Right view
Right intention
Right speech
Rright action
Right livelihood
Right effort
Rght mindfulness
Right concentration.

"Certainly"

Thanks ratikala , brother/sister.
Regards

 

[Kirran]

@ratikala is quite sisterly as brothers go

EDIT: I wrote this before he edited

 

[Unveiled Artist]

What makes one a Buddhist?

Only if one follows the correct teachings of Buddha not that the Buddhism people or Buddhists believe. Please

Anybody, please
Regards

Buddhism is common sense acknolwedged by mind, intellect, and question and practiced by meditation, and/or other forms of practice depending on the school and sect.

It is considered a Practice not a belief and philosophy. In other words it doesnt just question the nature ofnlife but the practice is the question and depending on school and sect, the need for an answer varies.

Many Mahayana Buddhist sects focus on helping other people see their own enlightenment/buddha nature they already have the pential to experience and practice. Other schools and sects focus on self enlightenment. So it varies.

Abrahamic beliefs focus on faith, belief, and abstract ways to understand the world. Buddhism uses concrete practice and facts to understand the world. Abrahamics focus on heart that influences the mind. Buddhism focuses on mind that influences the heart. The mind controls everln the experiences of the heart.

To describe the buddhist fact would take more than one post and practice likewise but in general, we believe there is suffering which is external influencing us (mahayana) l, the laws of cause and affect (kamma), the nature of suffering (four noble truths), and how to get outbofnit (eight fold path). Accesstoinsight.org This is Theravada buddhism.

Different buddhist will give answers based on their Practice not belief.

 

[crossfire]

The Four Dharma Seals

http://www.lionsroar.com/buddhism-nutshell-four-seals-dharma/

The Four Dharma Seals and the Definition of Buddhism

You can also find more about this in the link in my signature, "Anicca, Dukkha, Anatta, Nibbana"

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

I am the one and only true Buddhist (TM)

And I'm seeking franchise status

 

[miodrag]

What makes one a Buddhist?

Emptiness

 

[Jeff Strehlow]

Buddhism is common sense acknolwedged by mind, intellect, and question and practiced by meditation, and/or other forms of practice depending on the school and sect.

It is considered a Practice not a belief and philosophy. In other words it doesnt just question the nature ofnlife but the practice is the question and depending on school and sect, the need for an answer varies.

Many Mahayana Buddhist sects focus on helping other people see their own enlightenment/buddha nature they already have the pential to experience and practice. Other schools and sects focus on self enlightenment. So it varies.

Abrahamic beliefs focus on faith, belief, and abstract ways to understand the world. Buddhism uses concrete practice and facts to understand the world. Abrahamics focus on heart that influences the mind. Buddhism focuses on mind that influences the heart. The mind controls everln the experiences of the heart.

To describe the buddhist fact would take more than one post and practice likewise but in general, we believe there is suffering which is external influencing us (mahayana) l, the laws of cause and affect (kamma), the nature of suffering (four noble truths), and how to get outbofnit (eight fold path). Accesstoinsight.org This is Theravada buddhism.

Different buddhist will give answers based on their Practice not belief.

I would say that Buddhism is a practice which eventually leads to certain insights about people and the world. So through Buddhism people do gain understanding of the world, but it doesn't come through indoctrinization, but rather through gaining personal insight. As you say, there are different forms of Buddhism--different types of practice. The one thing that they all share in common is that they all lead to nirvana, which is the final goal in Buddhism.

 

[Jeff Strehlow]

If I remember correctly, technically persons are Buddhists if they take the 3 refuges:

I take refuge in Buddha.
I take refuge in the Dharma.
I take refuge in the Samgha.

 

[ratikala]

Namaskaram Jeff ji

If I remember correctly, technically persons are Buddhists if they take the 3 refuges:

I take refuge in Buddha.
I take refuge in the Dharma.
I take refuge in the Samgha.

Certainly yes this is true , but to take refuge we must understand both the Buddha and the Buddha Dharma to be infailable , ...if we canot understand the efecacy of these laws of Dharma and at least try to practice the principles , meaning if we are still to stubborn and attached to our accidental selfish patterns of behavior then this maks us , ...''no practitioner''

 

[psychoslice]

I'm more interested in what makes one a Buddha.

 

[LuisDantas]

What makes one a Buddhist?

Only if one follows the correct teachings of Buddha not that the Buddhism people or Buddhists believe. Please

Anybody, please
Regards

Buddhism is a living doctrine. It can't really be distinguished from what Buddhists believe.

 

[ratikala]

Namaskaram Ji

The Four Dharma Seals

http://www.lionsroar.com/buddhism-nutshell-four-seals-dharma/

The Four Dharma Seals and the Definition of Buddhism

You can also find more about this in the link in my signature, "Anicca, Dukkha, Anatta, Nibbana"

unfortunatly the principle of anatta causes much confusion , can cause argument and disharmony which is a great shame , ....thus before the later division of Sangha into Theravada and Mahayana there was one law , ...one turning of the wheel , ...one Dharma , ....The Four Noble Truths and its discourse upon the Noble Eight fold path , ......

The Noble Eightfold Path , ...

Right view
Right intention
Right speech
Rright action
Right livelihood
Right effort
Rght mindfulness
Right concentration

How we veiw theself pails into insignificance once the eightfold path is clearly contemplated as surely it is better to perfect fires our thoughts and actions , ....we may develop right understanding simply at first by listening to the Four Noble Truths and understanding that truely there is suffering , that ignorance and grasping are the causes of suffering , understanding that there is a release from suffering by the abandonment of attatchment and craving and that this abandonment comes through the practice of the eightfold path , .....thus we develop the intention to become free from the causes of our own suffering and desire to be the cause of no suffering to any other , ....wanting not to be the source of suffering to any other we develop right speach , ...speach that is harmonious and in accordance with truth and wellbeing , speach that will inspire and encourage others , speach that does not dtract our own weak minds allowing it to divert from the path , .....right action governs that we should act also in accordance with Dharma , ...not Killing or causing any form of suffering for any other , right action also governs our own behavior in that we should use our time wisely , not indulge in pointless persuits , be free from procrastination and all indulgences , ...right livelihood governs that we should carry out our daily activites by which we maintain ourselves in a way that is not in any way detrimental to any other , .....

these first grouping right understanding , right intention or right thought constitute insight , thus the cultivation of Wisdom
the second , right speach , right action and right livelihood constitute the cultivation of Virtue

and the final three , right effort , right mindfulness
and right concentration constitute our personal sadhana , our meditation , .....

thus it might easily be said that it is more fitting for a Buddhist to concern him or her self with the cultivation of morality and to accomplish insight through his or her own personal contemplation , than it is to focus upon the interlectual understanding of Anatta or to become needlessly envolved with debating the issue , ....in much the same way Mahayana schools say that emptiness should not be taught upon untill the practitioner is ready to enter that stage on the path , ....the true nature of relalty will reveal itself naturaly when the adept reaches the right level of meditation , ....so for the majority especialy the layity what would be most truely Buddhist would be the observance of the moral or ethical principles of truth , kindness , (compassio) and fewness of personal wishes , .....

 

[ratikala]

Namaskaram Ji

I'm more interested in what makes one a Buddha.

perfection of the principles of loving kindness , ....perfection in keeping the principles of selflessness and non harming , ....

 

[crossfire]

Namaskaram Ji



unfortunatly the principle of anatta causes much confusion , can cause argument and disharmony which is a great shame , ....thus before the later division of Sangha into Theravada and Mahayana there was one law , ...one turning of the wheel , ...one Dharma , ....The Four Noble Truths and its discourse upon the Noble Eight fold path , ......

The Noble Eightfold Path , ...

Right view
Right intention
Right speech
Rright action
Right livelihood
Right effort
Rght mindfulness
Right concentration

How we veiw theself pails into insignificance once the eightfold path is clearly contemplated as surely it is better to perfect fires our thoughts and actions , ....we may develop right understanding simply at first by listening to the Four Noble Truths and understanding that truely there is suffering , that ignorance and grasping are the causes of suffering , understanding that there is a release from suffering by the abandonment of attatchment and craving and that this abandonment comes through the practice of the eightfold path , .....thus we develop the intention to become free from the causes of our own suffering and desire to be the cause of no suffering to any other , ....wanting not to be the source of suffering to any other we develop right speach , ...speach that is harmonious and in accordance with truth and wellbeing , speach that will inspire and encourage others , speach that does not dtract our own weak minds allowing it to divert from the path , .....right action governs that we should act also in accordance with Dharma , ...not Killing or causing any form of suffering for any other , right action also governs our own behavior in that we should use our time wisely , not indulge in pointless persuits , be free from procrastination and all indulgences , ...right livelihood governs that we should carry out our daily activites by which we maintain ourselves in a way that is not in any way detrimental to any other , .....

these first grouping right understanding , right intention or right thought constitute insight , thus the cultivation of Wisdom
the second , right speach , right action and right livelihood constitute the cultivation of Virtue

and the final three , right effort , right mindfulness
and right concentration constitute our personal sadhana , our meditation , .....

thus it might easily be said that it is more fitting for a Buddhist to concern him or her self with the cultivation of morality and to accomplish insight through his or her own personal contemplation , than it is to focus upon the interlectual understanding of Anatta or to become needlessly envolved with debating the issue , ....in much the same way Mahayana schools say that emptiness should not be taught upon untill the practitioner is ready to enter that stage on the path , ....the true nature of relalty will reveal itself naturaly when the adept reaches the right level of meditation , ....so for the majority especialy the layity what would be most truely Buddhist would be the observance of the moral or ethical principles of truth , kindness , (compassio) and fewness of personal wishes , .....

If you check the links on the Four Seals provided, you will see they are from Mahayana sources. Theravada customarily uses the first three seals, and refers to them as the 3 marks of existence. However, I haven't noticed any indication that Theravada has any problem with the 4th Seal. Being Mahayana myself, I can't really fully speak for Theravada, however.