Becoming Buddhist

monosharp

Hey guys, Apologies first of all because I know this must have been asked a hundred times if it's being asked once.

But I'm really interested in learning about Buddhism and I would like a thread where someone can point me in the right direction and I can ask a few questions down the line.

Basically I'm trying to figure out where to start ?

Going to a temple is not an option, not at the moment anyways, I'm in a very Buddhist friendly country but I don't speak the local lingo and there seems to be a lack of temples in my locality.

Anyways, I know if someone asked me about my baptised religion I would point them to the bible etc.

Where would be the first port for me looking into Buddhism ?

Asiaprod

Hi and welcome. I would start by asking you a couple of questions. Where did you get your interest in Buddhism from (i.e. what made you interested in the first place) and have you any first hand experience of Buddhism. This will help point you in an appropriate direction.
Asia

monosharp

Asiaprod wrote: »

Hi and welcome. I would start by asking you a couple of questions. Where did you get your interest in Buddhism from (i.e. what made you interested in the first place) and have you any first hand experience of Buddhism. This will help point you in an appropriate direction.
Asia

Hey Asia,

Well basically I've read and heard a bit about Buddhism and It really hit a cord with me. What I mean is stories of Buddha and the way he operated.

I think the title may be misleading, I would honestly think about becoming buddhist but at a moment I'm just trying to get as much info as I can, maybe see if I have any misconceptions etc.

p.s > I'm in Korea.

I would suggest reading "what the buddha taught" by Walpola Rahula.

I might also suggest http://www.lioncity.net/buddhism/ , maybe you could find some people in your area to talk to about it.

yomchi

Sorry if this is a bit late, I don't post much on boards anymore.

I found some of the books by HH Dalai Lama very insightful. However one book I really would suggest for beginners is a book called Essential Buddhism by Zen Buddhist Jackie Salch. Her book is a very easy read and touches on all aspects of the Buddhist tradition including its history and where its at today. A definite good read.

twilight_singer

Lots of good information and mp3's relating to buddhism can be found on

http://www.urbandharma.org/

monosharp

Hey all.

I haven't had the time, nor funds to buy any of the books you recommended yet but I will asap.

I've being doing a lot of reading online though, I've read very good and very bad opinions of Buddhism. Theres actually a video series on youtube called "Errors in Buddhism" which really attacks buddhism while praising Islam.

linky -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6o--_FbPXk

At first the video really annoyed me, in parts it was pretty vile against Buddhism while all the time explaining how Islam does it the "right" way. I actually got angry because I really don't like anyone putting down anyone else's religion like that. Then I suddenly realised I shouldn't be annoyed or angry and actually started listening to the video. Although I completely disagree with the things in it against Buddhism and know many other things said are false, or at least false for many branches of Buddhism. I just felt that this guy had some good points about Islam that he was trying to get across.

The reason I say this, is I've always being a pretty easy to annoy person about certain topics and that annoyance and bad feelings stick with me for a long time. This time I remembered reading about anger and how it damages you, not who your angry with and then realisation just kicked me in the head, i.e > Why am I annoyed at all.

I also had the same experience when I came across the new website by Fred Phelps www.godhatesireland.com except I wasn't even annoyed or angry at all. I just read it calmly and disagreed.

Anyways ... rant over.

I have being thinking about trying to find a temple here with a monk that speaks english but I'm not aware how monks deal with people here. I know monks main role is for self enlightenment and they don't really "preach" like christian priests do. I also know many of them live in complete isolation specifically not to have dealings with people.

So is this an option ? talking to a monk or ... ?

Thanks.

edit-> Can I ask something else related to this post.

I used to have and still have a lot of very strong feelings on many subjects. Sport for example.

Should this be something I should seek to change ? for example, I have very strong negative opinions of several sports people because of their actions. Should I try and forget these actions and just accept them .. I'm not even sure what I'm asking. Maybe you guys understand anyways ?

yomchi

monosharp wrote: »

Hey all.

I haven't had the time, nor funds to buy any of the books you recommended yet but I will asap.

I've being doing a lot of reading online though, I've read very good and very bad opinions of Buddhism. Theres actually a video series on youtube called "Errors in Buddhism" which really attacks buddhism while praising Islam.

linky -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6o--_FbPXk

At first the video really annoyed me, in parts it was pretty vile against Buddhism while all the time explaining how Islam does it the "right" way. I actually got angry because I really don't like anyone putting down anyone else's religion like that. Then I suddenly realised I shouldn't be annoyed or angry and actually started listening to the video. Although I completely disagree with the things in it against Buddhism and know many other things said are false, or at least false for many branches of Buddhism. I just felt that this guy had some good points about Islam that he was trying to get across.

The reason I say this, is I've always being a pretty easy to annoy person about certain topics and that annoyance and bad feelings stick with me for a long time. This time I remembered reading about anger and how it damages you, not who your angry with and then realisation just kicked me in the head, i.e > Why am I annoyed at all.

I also had the same experience when I came across the new website by Fred Phelps www.godhatesireland.com except I wasn't even annoyed or angry at all. I just read it calmly and disagreed.

Anyways ... rant over.

I have being thinking about trying to find a temple here with a monk that speaks english but I'm not aware how monks deal with people here. I know monks main role is for self enlightenment and they don't really "preach" like christian priests do. I also know many of them live in complete isolation specifically not to have dealings with people.

So is this an option ? talking to a monk or ... ?

Thanks.

edit-> Can I ask something else related to this post.

I used to have and still have a lot of very strong feelings on many subjects. Sport for example.

Should this be something I should seek to change ? for example, I have very strong negative opinions of several sports people because of their actions. Should I try and forget these actions and just accept them .. I'm not even sure what I'm asking. Maybe you guys understand anyways ?

Hi Monosharp,
I think you are being a little harsh on yourself! All the emotions you have felt are completely natural and happen to all human beings, so don't be so hard on yourself
There is no dogma's in Buddhism, there is nothing that says you MUST give up this or you MUST give up that or else be damned. Buddhism sets a path that each individual can follow if they so wish.
In order to understand your emotions and desires better, it is recommended that you sit down and have a quiet glance inwards. Through meditation you can start to begin to see what makes you tick, you can identify what makes you feel angry and why afflictive emotions are completely baseless.

There are no residing monks in Ireland as far as I know. There are no monasteries. There is a Zen monk who lives in Galway from time to time but he spends most of his time in Japan and travelling Europe. His name is Alan Liebmann. You can contact Irish Zen here - http://www.iolfree.ie/~irish_zen/home.html

Diamond Way Ireland also have a travelling teacher - Lama Ole Nydhal who was recently in Ireland but spends alot of his time on the road teaching. You can contact Diamond Way here - www.diamondway-buddhism.ie

And the other Kagyu lineage based in Ireland are in Inchicore. Donal Creedon gives talks there on a Tuesday night when he is in Ireland. www.buddhism.ie

The closest Buddhist monastery is in Scotland at Kagyu Same Ling.

All the best

yomchi

I also know many of them live in complete isolation specifically not to have dealings with people.

Maybe! or maybe not.. see Pema Chodron here ->http://www.pbs.org/moyers/faithandreason/media_players/chodron_full.html and listen out for the analogy of covering everything with leather

monosharp

Jon wrote: »

Hi Monosharp,
I think you are being a little harsh on yourself! All the emotions you have felt are completely natural and happen to all human beings, so don't be so hard on yourself

Thanks. I really believe that I myself need to change as a person and I also honestly believe that Buddhism, may be a good path for me to follow to achieve that.

There is no dogma's in Buddhism, there is nothing that says you MUST give up this or you MUST give up that or else be damned. Buddhism sets a path that each individual can follow if they so wish.

Funnily enough I'm in Korea at the moment and many of the Buddhists I know have no problem eating meat. I know one of the main parts of buddhism is not to cause suffering, to people or animals but they eat live octopuss here. I've had it and its pretty good.

So I can absolutely believe your point.

In order to understand your emotions and desires better, it is recommended that you sit down and have a quiet glance inwards. Through meditation you can start to begin to see what makes you tick, you can identify what makes you feel angry and why afflictive emotions are completely baseless.

Can anyone help me with learning how to meditate ? I'm living in a large city, between two larger cities (You might say, one super-city) so peace and quiet is not really readily availible.

I've seen a couple of videos on youtube describing the basics but perhaps there is some link someone can suggest ?

There are no residing monks in Ireland as far as I know. There are no monasteries. There is a Zen monk who lives in Galway from time to time but he spends most of his time in Japan and travelling Europe. His name is Alan Liebmann. You can contact Irish Zen here - http://www.iolfree.ie/~irish_zen/home.html

Hey man, I'm actually living in Korea for the moment and for the foreseeable future. My problems not a lack of monks or temples, its a lack of monks who speak english although I might have that sorted soon.

yomchi

Ideally you should find a centre that you can go and meditate with them. Practice is always the best way to learn.

Best of luck
ps - The Tibetans also eat meat!