Am I A Buddhist If I Say I Am A Buddhist

[buddhayogi]

Hey i am new to Buddhism and was wondering if i have to go through any ritual to become a buddhist and how to i do rituals what materials do i need and how do i do them

Thanks

[Thomas Knierim]

You become a Buddhist by accepting and practicing the Dharma, i.e. the Buddhist teaching. There are no formal precedures involved in that. Most Buddhist religious traditions, however, offer some form of ritual, which is not mandatory, but recommended, since going through such a ritual strengthens committment. Usually this takes the form of a vow. There are two basic types of vows in Buddhism. The first one is the vow to take refuge in the triple gem, the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. It consists of a short recitation and it is very simple. The second one is the vow to take the Buddhist precepts, which can be either five, eight, ten, or the full 227 precepts of the pattimokkha for monks. Usually, the person (or group) recites each one of these precepts in full length. Both recitations are performed within a sangha, usually in the presence of a senior monk. But again, these formal rituals are not mandatory.

Cheers, Thomas