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| Students of our 365 Program |
Know the Basics
If you would like to make
Buddhism your religion, there are some things to consider. First, you should be familiar with the basic tenants of Buddhism
such as karma, rebirth, Four Noble Truths, EightFold Path, the Five Precepts, the Nembutsu, the Pure
Land, and Amida Buddha. It is not necessary to accept all of these concepts
in the beginning, but one should be willing to consider them. The Buddha never asked his disciples to believe something
because he said it. He said that one needed to prove it true for oneself.
Understanding is Important
In Buddhism, understanding
is the most important thing and understanding takes time. So do not impulsively rush into Buddhism. Take your time, ask questions,
consider carefully, and then make your decision. The Buddha was not interested in having a large number of disciples. He was
concerned that people should follow his teachings as a result of a careful investigation, consideration of the facts and personal
experience.
How do I become a Buddhist?
Join a Buddhist sangha (a
temple, church or group), support them, be supported by them and continue to learn more about the Buddha's teachings. Read
about the teachings, apply them in your life, attend services and retreats, open your heart and mind to the working of Great
Compassion. Then, when you are ready, you can formally become a Buddhist by undertaking the Affirmation or Ordination
Ceremony.
Affirmation and Ordination
The decision to become a Buddhist
is marked by either Affirmation or Ordination Ceremony. These two types of ceremonies are different but share certain religious
aspects. First of all, the Affirmation Ceremony or the Kikyoshiki is unique to Shin Buddhism only. It is a form of personal
religious confirmation, in which the participant publicly acknowledges his/her orientation and commitment to the Pure Land path of
Shinran Shonin and the recognition of the working of Great Compassion (Other Power) in their lives. As stated above,
this ceremony is unique to Shin Buddhism, which is a lay religious movement and not a religious order. This ceremony does
not entail the transmission of the Three Jewels or the Five or Ten Precepts from teacher (monk) to disciple. In
Shin Buddhism, we are each others teachers. Moreover, according to Shin Buddhism, the ultimate transmission can only
come from the direct and personal experience of the working of Great Compassion, which is called shinjin or true entrusting.
What's more, Shin Buddhism does not formally have lay precepts, which can be received from human to human transmission;
instead they manifest naturally through the shinjin experience.
The Affirmation Ceremony allows
the participant to publicly acknowledge his/her personal faith experience in the Buddha (Amida), the Dharma
(the teachings and the truth) and the Sangha (those who practice the dharma and entrust themselves to the infinite
life and light). Furthermore, the Affirmation Ceremony may also confirm the Five Precepts as the best ways to compassionately
live in our suffering world. Again, this is not a transmission of the ethical code but just a reminder of its importance. In
addition, the Affirmation Ceremony may include the reciting of the Six Paramitas, the Bodhisattva Vows and/or the Shin Buddhist
Affirmation as reminders of the Buddhist path. In this ceremony, recipients are given a Buddhist name (homyo), an Affirmation
Certificate and Shin Buddhist Okesa. There is usually a small donation requested to cover the costs.
In contrast, the Ordination Ceremony
is only conferred by a fully ordained monk, in which the lay participant receives the human to human or teacher to student, transmission
of the Three Jewels and the Five Precepts and sometimes even can take the Bodhisattva Vows. The participant is then ordained
as a lay follower or as it is know in sanskrit as an upasaka (ordained lay male follower) or upasika (ordained lay female
follower). He/she then receives a certificate and a Buddhist name. As a result, the ordainee is formally initiated as
a lay member and linked to a monastic order, in which he/she dedicates him/herself to the Three Jewels and
the Five Precepts. The ordaining monk is usually seen as the lay followers main teacher. These ordained lay
followers may then, in the future, decide to intensify their practice and become fully ordained as monks (bhikkus) or
nuns. The Ordination Ceremony is conducted by monastic orders only. Since the BFF is a lay congregation, it does
not conduct ordinations. If you are interested in lay ordination please refer to a local Buddhist temple or center with a
resident monk or nun.
What is the Meaning of Taking Refuge?
Taking refuge means accepting
the Three Jewels as safe shelters of stability, truth, and peace in an insecure, ignorant and suffering world. The seeker
accepts the Three Jewels as the essential path to transcend suffering and realize the Pure Land for the sake of all beings. Taking
refuge means entrusting ourselves to lifes highest spiritual values.
It is not just an intellectual
acceptance of the Buddhist teachings but it is a total reorientation and spiritualization of ones life and striving. The seeker completely redirects and reorganizes his or her life to realize enlightenment
for the sake of all. This means totally embodying the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
What are the Three Jewels?
To publicly take refuge
in the Three Jewels is to change the direction of ones life and make an effort to embody the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
To take refuge in the Buddha
is to take refuge in the living source of understanding, faith and compassion, symbolized as Amida, the Buddha of Eternal
Life and Light and her historical human manifestation, Shakyamuni Buddha. One sees the historical Buddha as the greatest teacher
and the embodiment of our true human potential.
To take refuge in the Dharma
is to take refuge in Reality-as-it-is, the Ocean of Oneness, the Buddhas teachings and the path of understanding, faith and compassion.
To take refuge in the Sangha
is to take refuge in the community that practices according to the Buddhist path and strives to manifest and embody Enlightenment
here on Earth.
The Three Jewels are present
in every quarter of the universe as well as in our hearts, in every person and in all other species inhabiting every galaxy.
By dedicating ourselves to learn, practice and embody the Three Jewels, you will have the proven vehicle to nourish the ability
to love and understand within ourselves
The Affirmation ceremony is
the first step to becoming a disciple of Buddha. You begin the process to be transformed from within. Gradually, through
the working of Other Power, you will be made to deeply realize that each of us is the main concern of Great Compassion. As
Shinran Shonin said, we who are like rubble will be turned into gold.
| The colors of Buddha's enlightenment |
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| The official Buddhist Flag |
Taking the Bodhisattva Vows
The Bodhisattva Vows are the very essence of the Mahayana (Universal Vehicle) Buddhism. They are the torch lighting
our spiritual path. These Vows are the great boat that carries us all to the Other Shore, the Pure Land, and the inspiration guiding us in this
life with the great heart of compassion and love. A Bodhisattva is a being that devotes him or herself to compassionate deeds,
striving to benefit all beings and seeking their Enlightenment before his or her own.
By taking refuge in the Bodhisattva Vows, we endow our lives with profound spiritual meaning. They allow us to embody
our highest religious aspirations, in which we commit ourselves to deeper understanding and love and selfless service. They
have the power to transform us into gentle spiritual warriors with courageous armor of patience, perseverance and mindfulness,
and enduring arrows of generosity, wisdom and compassion.
These Vows are a living promise that we reaffirm everyday, not just once in a lifetime. Therefore, we should strive
to recite them regularly and practice them always.
Sentient Beings are numberless,
I vow to save them all.
Sufferings are inexhaustible,
I vow to end them all.
Dharmas are boundless,
I vow to learn them all.
The Buddha Way
is unsurpassable,
I vow to embody it.
Taking the Five Precepts
The Five Ethical Precepts have the capacity to protect life and make our lives beautiful. They are not rules or
commandments but are guidelines to wholesome and ethical living and truly witness our commitment to live an awakened life. Through the compassionate working of Amida in our lives, we are empowered to better
practice them and are encouraged to move forward in the direction of peace, joy and awakening. Likewise, they are the foundation
for the happiness of the individual, family and society. These Precepts help us avoid making mistakes and creating suffering,
fear and despair but instead bring joy, understanding and peace into our suffering world.
The Five Precepts
are as follows:
1. I practice the training of love, I refrain from killing.
2. I practice
the training of generosity, I refrain from stealing.
3. I practice the training
of contentment, I refrain from sexual misconduct.
4. I practice the training of mindful speech,
I refrain from harmful speech.
5. I practice the training of mindful consumption; I refrain from intoxicants
& harmful substances that harm myself, society and the environment.
A Path Open to All
We are talking
about going on a wonderful path and living a new kind of lifestyle. For 2,500 years, Buddhism has been a proven path for millions
of practitioners. It may be now up to you to travel it too. You must understand this is completely possible; there is no reason
at all that you cannot travel this path. This is the beauty of the Pure Land teachings:
it is completely available to all whether we are saints or sinners, ignorant or wise. Remember Great Compassion always remain
with us. She is moving, seeking and working to liberate you from suffering. Just stop, take notice and be grateful.
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