Buddhism is seen as a religion by many people. But for others Buddhism is a way of life. For those who practice Buddhism, the philosophy behind it is seen as a series of prescriptions that help man gain a better understanding of how to treat his fellow man. It also helps people see the world in a totally different perspective. It has been said that entering Buddhism is the easiest compared to other religions or faiths. You won’t have to do any kind of ceremonies and especially none if you just want to enter. It’s as simple as telling yourself that you are a Buddhist and starting to follow the tenets of Buddhism.
In order to become a Buddhist, one has to learn about the Four Noble Truths first. The first truth is that suffering is seen all over the world. The second truth is that suffering is borne from the desire to gain material possessions especially the ones that a person cannot gain at present. The third truth is that suffering can be ended. And the fourth noble truth is that suffering will end when the desire for material possessions end.
Knowing these Four Noble Truths, the first real step towards becoming a Buddhist is to remove all of the distractions that lead to suffering. Among the initial steps taken towards becoming a Buddhist is to live a much simpler life. This would mean removing most of the material possessions that are seen as a distraction. This may be harder than it looks because people have been brainwashed into thinking that the latest gadget or fad is something that should be coveted. We just need to get that new phone, new laptop or new TV. But with Buddhism, these same things will actually hinder you from achieving bliss.
Another step that needs to be taken is to follow the teachings of the Buddha. Among these is to learn to share what one has with other people. Sharing without hesitation is also an important but difficult step to take but it is a requirement of the faith.
One great thing about Buddhism is that since it is a way of life, you can still follow your religion and be a Buddhist at the same time. The teachings of Buddhism does not run counter to the tenets of the great religions, this makes it a very ideal situation for a person who wants to further enrich his life.
Image from harryallen.info
[…] in different ways through different Divine Messengers. These include Jesus, Mohammed, Zoroaster, Buddha—the key figures in the world’s major religions. However, the messages were all interpreted […]