I'd like to start practicing Buddhism. I've been told I'll need a teacher. How do i f
I'm very new to Buddhism. All I know is what I've read. That's not much. I feel its the kind of thing I should talk to a person about and listen to teachings.
Buddhism isn't a religion to the person who decided to comment without thinking.
Buddhism is a way of living your life, there are no Gods.
You can get a good start by reading as much about Buddhism as possible. See if you can get your hands on the Buddhist Scriptures. Go to Buddhist websites, read about the customs.
You don't need a teacher. You mainly need to learn how to meditate and start doing it. There is a really good Podcast called "Urban Dharma" which is highly entertaining and informative. Buddhism can be boiled down to several key issues.
There are lots of "what is Buddhism" type of books out there to get you started, but start meditating as soon as possible. If you aren't meditating you aren't doing Buddhism.
You don't need a teacher. There are only three things you need to start out in Buddhism. They are known as the Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
Buddha is the potential for enlightenment that exists in all of us. It is nurtured through the practice of meditation. You can do this all by yourself.
Dharma is Buddhist teachings. You don't need people for this either. You just need to get some books on Buddhism, and read them. Ideally you'll read them after you meditate. That way you silence the noise in your head making it more receptive to more information.
Sangha is the community of other practicing Buddhists. Ideally, this will be a "teacher" someone who has attained enlightenment, but teachers are few and far between in the west. So just being around other Buddhists will be fine. Lots of Unitarian churches will have Buddhist groups so you can look into that, or look for local Buddhist groups on the Internet. Being around other Buddhists will keep you motivated and will allow you to share ideas with them.
So a teacher isn't required. But being around other Buddhists is really best.
If you want to actually practice Buddhism as opposed to just reading about it, I can tell you what I did.
I first read up enough about Buddhism so that I would have something basis by which to judge what was or was not legitimate Buddhism (and not, say, a New Age cult, or some wackos claiming to be Buddhist). I even took a college course so I could learn more.
I then visited many Buddhist practice groups and temples over the years. And I must say that only someone who has never actually met any Buddhists, or been to a Buddhist temple, or visited Asia would say that Buddhism is not a religion. It is very much a religion - but it is really more of a culture or an Asian sub-culture that also includes philosophy, psychology, literature, art, and many other things. In North America and Europe some people have only extracted what they want - but the Buddhist tradition on its home ground among those who have grown up with it and been ordained in its living traditions do relate to it as a religion.
Now in visiting different practice centers or temples, I checked everything out. I suggest you be discerning as well. Do the teachers seem like together admirable people? Trustworthy? How about the rest of the community? Are they pushing an agenda or trying to recruit people? Do you feel comfortable with them? Does what they teach match what you have learned? If not, try to find out why. Maybe you've only read about Zen Buddhist but have encountered a Ch'an or a Pure Land group. Don't be too quick to judge. Don't be too quick to join.
Really it comes down to whether you meet people who really seem able and willing to help you, and who you feel are authentic and will help you to be authentic.
I'd like to start practicing Buddhism. I've been told I'll need a teacher. How do i f
