How to Become a Buddhist 

I am attracted to Buddhism because the beliefs make sense to me.

One of the things I learned early on in Buddhism was the lack of a need to label yourself as a Buddhist. In fact, you could be a Buddhist without realizing you are a Buddhist. This is why I often advise people interested in Buddhism to set aside your pre-conceived concepts of a religion. If you need Buddhism to simply be a philosophy, then that is fine too. In reading Buddhist suttas one of the things that struck me was how tolerant the Buddha was of other belief systems. I find it very unique.

I found Buddhism in my darkest days. Buddhism helps me to have peace of mind and heal my traumatic past events. Now I consider myself a Buddhist, following the Buddha way, reading sutras and practicing meditation.

I’ve grown up in a Christian household and I’ve never had peace with my religion. I’ve recently been learning about Buddhism and I find that it brings me so much peace and comfort; I want to start learning Buddhist practices to be able to find Happiness in myself. Your video was a great help in teaching me where I should start :)

I struggle with my mental health a lot and had a suicide attempt in 2020. When in the psychiatry ward, the workers kept reiterating that we needed something beyond and larger than ourselves to believe in. I've been in a really dark place lately and I realized I needed to find that bigger something, and chose religion. I have friends that are buddhist and I'm interested in the beliefs in this religion. So excited to start this journey!

I realised there is no god by the age of 6 when my sister and father died in the same 3 months. Buddhism connects to me in a different way guys

I am 16 and I believe Buddhism is the rapresentation of all the 'things' I believed in up to now. Now I understand myself much better. Congrats on the video, I found it really helpful!

I'm at my worst, and the Buddhist philosophy and wisdom helped me a lot. Especially for my peace of mind. 🙏

I am from India and its great to see white civilization interested in buddhism

I'm from Sri Lanka🇱🇰 and I'm Buddhist... I'm so glad about your video.. there are historical temple in our country. It would be nice if come here and take look.. Thank you so much 🙏 "Budusaranai"🙏

I am a Lao American monk, growing up in the US most of my life, watching your videos help me with my understanding of Buddhism.

Precisely! What Buddha taught was that whether you are Muslim or Hindu or Jew or Christian or Buddhist, if you do the right thing, you get the right result. It is more about practice than labels and names.

Thank you for educating us on this. Personally, why I seek Buddhism is because I want to be free. I've always felt as though I'm being held captive in the clutches of the expectation of myself, family, and even society as a whole. What I want is to be free, free of everything this world has, and the Dharma really did resonate with me, and made me think that perhaps the freedom I seek isn't a litteral freedom, but rather a state of mind or being, such as The Buddha himself, in which case I have a very very very very very very long way to go. But thanks again for the educational video ❤

Thank you so much. I turned to Buddhism after a lifetime of Roman Catholic beliefs because Catholicism left me with more questions than answers. I just retired from the FDNY-EMS after 26 years, in that career I have seen and experienced things no one should ever seen. I desired a life of serenity, harmony, peace and enlightenment. I began to study Tibetan Zen Buddhism. I have studied Dharma for about two years, even as a beginner, it has brought me a certain level of peace and understanding. I realized that Buddhism is not a Religion but rather a philosophy, in Zen not even a philosophy. I am still new, I have yet to find a guru or sangha. Thank you for your enlightening words, I am still a work in progress.

Thanks Doug. I've wrestled with this notion of "being a Buddhist" for some time and I found this video helpful. For most of my life I identified as a Christian. No matter what flavor of Christianity one identifies with, that identification has a clear meaning: you've accepted Jesus Christ as your lord and savior. I see nothing in Buddhism like that, so I found it awkward to begin calling myself "a Buddhist". I think you're on the mark with the importance of putting the Dharma into practice over what you call yourself. Now I will continue to simply say "I practice Buddhism" when asked about my religious/spiritual orientation.

Buddhism has helped me make sense of things that cause my depression and anxiety. I want to officially become a Buddhist and it’s not the label of a Buddhist that I want, but a commitment to myself to follow the Dharma and the opportunity to continuously find answers.

I was raised without learning about religions. When i got old enough i started to study different faiths and religions. . yet i always felt that i was in some way a Buddhist.. In my mind, i am, in my own way. Unfortunately there are not o schools or anything like that near me so i refer to YT. Thanks for your input.

Buddhism is how I started my spiritual journey 8 years ago since then I kept looking for information on all kinds of believes and Knowledge with my core believes still aligned with Buddhism. I’m ready now to fully submit myself to it and know every detail about it

I've decided to try Buddhism after I got mad at someone and ruined them I seek it as a way to turn myself into a calmer person

My grandfather was a Buddhist and I struggled with some pretty bad ADHD (depression, anxiety, restless mind) as a teenager. He bought me a Booklet that came with a CD that taught me mindfulness meditation. I have been practicing Zen Buddhism until recently when I finally branched out and am now studying all sects and am practicing Mahayana Buddhism. My grandfather passed away and out of all his children and grandchildren (his wife was catholic, so many people) I was the only one to wish him well in his next life instead of wishing to see him in heaven. I’m the only other practicing Buddhist in the family. I love my family but I am a silly flamingo in a family of owls. I am very happy to have had the wisdom passed on from my grandpa, and since I’ve been speaking more openly about it, my parents and my younger brother have been super interested. I’m 33 now and mindfulness has helped more than anything to calm my mind and guide my way though my life. I absolutely love the Dharma and Loving Kindness Meditation and I hope very much that each sentient being on earth finds tranquility! 💕🙌 OM shanti shanti shanti! ☸️💜

I'm half Vietnamese and my family's budhist but I've never been really into it as a child. Now that I'm older and I do religious studies I'm open to being a budhist again. Also my grandpa is a monk (monks can't have sex but he took a 4 year break to stay a family and then continued his Monk life)

As me I was a monk 7 years in Thailand and Myanmar. Now I live in Australia, Melbourne. I still go to temple. I so glad to hear that, you explained in English. Thanks Doug's Dharma

I thoght about googling this question today. Turned on RU-vid and here it is :D

I am 11 and have decided that my spiritual growth is very important knowing that buddhist people are deeply routed with spirituality makes me very attracted to it!

I’ve connected more with Buddhism and it’s honestly changed my perspective on life, I’m still learning and understanding and it can be a bit confusing to understand because of my Aspergers Syndrome but I wouldn’t ever doubt my value and worth. These videos are great! X

I am 15 from the USA. Buddhism is basically what I already believe, it’s just putting a name to it. And a community to be part of. Somewhere I can go where I know likeminded people will be. Thanks for sharing this! ☸️

Doug, just subscribed and thank you. I was born into a household that believed the literal God in Heaven and Devil waiting in hell. Walking away from this has caused great uncertainty and hardship, but I felt I had no choice. I traveled to Japan and Thailand "looking" for the Buddah and was so disappointed. I was foolish. I now know peace can only come in the now, in this breath, but it is still so hard. My monkey mind dominates me on most days. I do not have a Sangha of like believers to practice with and I feel very isolated. I literally do not have a single person to talk to about this subject. Sometimes, I do not feel I belong in America, but that is my old mind trying to tell me things will be better in another location at a future date. I hope I can connect with like minded people looking for peace and loving kindness in an increasingly chaotic world.

What an amazing video. You seem to hit on many pieces of my life right now. When you spoke of cravings, it brought me to tears. I don't need an identification of being something, my craving is peace in my own life. Thank you for giving me a LOT to research and try to understand.

incredible! i'm 20 and have been thinking vaguely about being an active buddhist ever since i was 15. the more i know about it the more i feel connected to it. hopefully this will give me the spiritual direction i have been unknowingly looking for

I have been practiced on Buddhism for years. I accept Buddha words all my heart.

I found this religion now after never really understanding Christianity I’m so glad I found a belief

Thanks Doug, quarantine has had me doing a lot of thinking and your videos have definitely helped me out.

Thank you for your videos. I have recently become interested in Buddhist. I am a complete beginner and these videos are easier to understand. I have read books on Buddism as well. I just want peace. Thank you

I don’t know how to say this, I have felt a calling towards this I am in the process of moving to Thailand and immersing my self in their culture. Where I live there are no Buddhist centers around me I have no one to talk to, I am trying but it is hard to learn the chants. I do my best to live by the sixteen bodhisattva precepts I find a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders I have a calm I have never had before. Thank you Doug for helping me I found you channel and it has helped me I still don’t understand a lot but I have met monks that speak English in thailand that have been helpful. I just wish you could do a video about Buddhist chants and explain them if at all possible?

If people are interested in pure Buddhism correct Parth to " nibana" please follow Theravada Buddhism in practicing in Sri Lanka, Burma or Thailand. It is the best you can get about Buddha's teachings.🙏🙏🙏

I appreciate your insight that wanting to be "Buddhist" can be a form of craving and identification. I have observed that some people try to disentangle themselves from "religious buddhism" by referring to themselves as "secular Buddhists", but I would submit that "secular buddhism" can also be motivated by craving and identification. No one is exempt from one's own context and culture. Thank you.

I've been studying Buddhist for a few weeks now, and I'm enjoying it so much

This video was absolutely eye opening, thank you!

Thankyou for this video. It answered many questions and brought to light some aspects I had been subconsciously thinking about but hadn't heard explained before. I feel more comfortable on my path.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE STRANGERS TO BUDDHISM ; IN A NUTSHELL BUDDHISM CAN BE SUMMARISED AS FOLLOWS ; * the three main basic principles or basic foundations of Buddha Dharma. 1 DEPENDANT ORIGINATION ( cause and effect ----- which includes KARMA ect ) 2 THE THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF EXISTENCE. ( anicca, dhukka and anatta ) 3 FOUR NOBEL TRUTHS . ( which includes Nobel eight fold path ) Please be clear about the above teachings. * THEN PRACTICE THE FOLLOWING: ( very important and essential ) 1 DO GOOD THINGS. 2 AVOID DOING BAD THINGS. 3 PURIFY THE MIND. ( this is the hardest and most difficult part in Buddhism which involves a lot of practice like meditation etc. ). If item 3 is difficult , practice items 1 and 2 at least. To achieve this you need Mindfulness, Effort and common sense.( right and balanced view ). These are common to all forms of Buddhism but rituals and practices may differ. ( rituals are NOT at all important in BUDDHISM ) When you have a sound , clear knowledge about the above topics , you can practice ANY form of Buddhism or follow ANY religion, yet you will be on the correct BUDDHIST path to achieve peace of mind. As lord buddha preached , please DO NOT accept any of these blindly .( please use your common sense and analyze before accepting ). LORD BUDHDHA only preached common sense and the true reality of existence. P S: NIRVANA IS ONLY A STATE OF MIND. AND NOT ANY OTHER PHYSICAL WORLD OR REALM OF EXISTENCE. .( it is a state of mind you achieve here and now and NOT something you achieve after death ) THANK YOU

I'm a born Catholic from a predominantly theravada buddhist country. Now trying to follow the eightfold path, I find myself lucky to have hundreds of videos related to Buddhism in my native language. However your videos helped me in trying to get the basics of buddhism in a big picture. Thank you.

I'm from India 🇮🇳 and I'm buddhist I'm so happy too see you videos

Thanks for this video. Im in the process of beginning my journey into buddhism to minimise my suffering and move on from years of deep despair. This video made it very easy to understand and I am convinced now that this is a path worth exploring Appreciate this. Thank you!

I love this video. So articulately explained. Not only people who want to be Buddhists but all people born into or identify as "Buddhists" should watch this.

Check out this video introducing the three major schools of Buddhism: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-FAazFDC8m6M.html Consider joining us on Patreon if you enjoy these videos, and get fun benefits like exclusive behind-the-scenes videos, audio-only versions, and extensive show notes: www.patreon.com/dougsseculardharma 🙂

I have not learnt much about Buddhism so far and I have only been taught the Eightfold Path and about the Buddha. Yet I have sone sort of connection that attracts me towards learning more about it!

I was raised atheist, but I have dabbled in religion since I was 12. I’ve been agnostic for several years now, and in my philosophy podcast they had an episode about the Buddha and his teachings. It was very insightful and I immediately clicked with his ideas, so I’m doing what I can to educate myself on Buddhism - it might just be what I’ve been looking for in religion all these years.

Very informative and very well explained. Thank you.

Man, this channel is a gem! 🌹🌹🌹

I can’t thank you enough for your channel

Much love for this video🙏

You are an excellent presenter. I am glad that I found your channel. I called a sangha about thirty years ago to take refuge and was told I didn't need to. If anyone asks me about my religion, I just tell them that I read Buddhism and meditate.

Fantastic Doug. Thanks 👍👍👍👍👍

I'm wanting to convert to Buddhism everything makes sense to me, I feel comfort from this religion, so going to learn as much as I can, im from Edinburgh, Scotland so have been looking for places and people in my area

thank you for teaching me about this, i need this

“We are constantly changing”,……love that. 🙌

Question: Say you have broken some of the 5 precepts in your past. Can you still follow the teachings with a good conscious or is some form of penance/forgiveness required?

The silence in your voice is very meditative.

Thank you very much! I love your videos.

U are doing a great thing Respect!!! 😊🙏

Hi Doug! loved the video and hoping you're safe and doing good during these days! Since I've started my practuce I had this impending doubt and feeling that I'm doing everthying wrong or feeling as "a bad buddhist", do you know why that might be? I know might sound as a strange question but... is still a doubt I have. Thank you so much for your work and greetings from Panama

Thank you so much for your kind information! Om mani padme hun

Thank you, Doug!

Thanks sir . Your videos are very knowledgefull and good for understanding buddha. Namo buddhay

I like the part of budhism that tells you not to desire pleaasure a nd material goods. The thought behind it is very thought provoking. If you can truley let go of desires its a very powerful state of mind.

It's been a week, since I became a Zen Buddhist. I found what I was looking for, I feel peace.

I am attracted to Buddhism because I want to get rid of all that’s a lie. I want to live in the truth. I want to wake up from the dream I was in my whole life. I want to live a life full of love. I want to be freed from all constructs that serve no purpose. I want to break the chains. And also, I am attracted the Buddhism because my souls needs to heal, and it feels like this is how I will finally get help. It just...feels right.

I grew up in a Christian family but I have never believed in God as I believe there is too much suffering and pain in the world for their to be an omnibenevolent creator. I have always been interested in the world as I believe there are things we can never understand and I would like to know myself and the world from a different perspective. That’s when I started practicing basic spirituality but I never connected with it. The idea of following buddhist ideologies came into my head when I watched a buddhist monk speak about his life and experiences and he seemed so peaceful. I knew from that moment it was the life I wanted to live.

I'm trying to become a secular buddhist as well

Thank you Doug for all your wonderful work bringing the Buddha-Dharma closer to home! Personally I must say that I find the Theravada Buddhism to be the one Buddhist tradition (with following practices) that resonates with me the most. Although I must also acknowledge that both the so called "secular", as well as the many "Tibetan" Buddhist practices have greatly contributed and enriched my practice, especially the many diverse practices of meditation, but also their quite diverse philosophy(-ies). (Which at least I don't find to be contradicting each-other, as many might think or believe - but rather instead builds and elaborates upon the earlier concepts that are already present within the early ones promulgated by Shakyamuni Buddha himself.) Also, and perhaps a bit surprising and even confusing to some, I must admit that I also find some of the Yogic practices within Hinduism, such as especially many of the different (and then especially Tantric Yogic) meditation-practices, "breathing-excercises" (or Pranayama[s]) as well as some physical exercises, especially those for stretching and opening up the hips and knees - to more easily be able to sit comfortably for longer periods of time to be of great benefit for me. I know, or at least believe that my approach probably is rather unorthodox - to say the least! But still - since they're both (Yoga and Buddhism) so called "yogic" traditions that are both equally old (Buddha Dharma -> Classical Yoga + VajraYana-Buddhism -> Tantra-/Shakta-Yoga, for ex.) and are also both indigenous Indic Yogic traditions that have also cross-pollinated each-other for millenia....well, is it REALLY such a weird and inconceivable paths to combine? Or rather, what do you think of combining Theravada (which I see as my "ground-practice") with elements of Vajrayana such as some of it's philosophy as well as some of it's diff. meditation-exercises with some elements of (Hindu) Yoga elements like I described above? (I've practiced for many years - so I don't find it confusing in any way...I just use it for different areas to accomplish different things....as I simply see all of these seemingly "distinct paths" [which generally tries to accomplish more or less the same thing(s)] - as tools on my way!). Do you see any inherent problems in this approach? - I'ld be happy for any input. Thanks in advance! Namaste!

Thanks wonderful teaching

This has been very helpful. Been wrestling w how to incorporate the parts of Buddhism w my current beliefs as a Christian that I'm not wanting to renounce. W secular Buddhism I can meditate and learn and practice the Dharma . I am finding meditation and the Dharma to be incredibly helpful and enriching. Honestly what began to draw me first was the kindness and humility of Buddhists over "doctrine".

It's not a religion it's a way of life

Thank you so much your video.

I was in a very 'urgent state of distress' & the only spiritual education I had was Christian at the moment but it just was not resonating with me anymore. Out of nowhere my thoughts were telling me to look into Buddha's story, he seems to have his peace together lol & it's been a beautiful journey ever since. Appreciation to Siddhartha ☸️

I'm an alcoholic whom has been seeking help for years. My parents are Christian baptists and shove religion down my throat. When I'm upset in my life and talk it is never personal it is always "what would Jesus do??" It is very frustrating. But Buddhism has attracted me sibce I worked at a factory with 85% Buddhism population. Even if no god is real I'd much rather practice this because it gives me a drive to become better.

Hi Doug, I was wondering, do you think using meditation music is bad? I’ve done some research and opinions seem mixed. Love the videos!

Thank you!

Hello Doung.I am your new subscriber Love from India 🇮🇳

Sir, there is no need to become Budhist by religion. Instead of it follow and learn practical aspects of The Budha. Budhas principles are unuversal things and easy to observe peactically. Thanks you sir for your great effort to teach Budha.

I am glad you addressed the issue of subtle identification of wanting to be a Buddhist. I am not a Buddhist or practitioner (secular or otherwise) of any religion. However, I believe there is Truth in the teachings of the Buddha and among other religious figures or seekers of Truth. I have been on my journey of dealing with existentialism and depression since I was 16. Due to those two factors along with childhood circumstances, I crave community and a sense of belonging. I want to belong and more importantly, I want to "know." I have been fighting against calling myself a Buddhist (or Taoist, or Christian) because I can't in good faith acknowledge that I am doing it out of non-craving. Seeking Truth and liberation without titles and labels is lonely and causes me pain. I still have a long way to go to rid myself of attachment, which I believe is the cause of suffering. I hope that once COVID is over and we can meet face to face again, I can still participate in sanghas and communities seeking Truth and liberation without having to identify myself with being something. I hope that by not identifying it isn't disrespectful (and moreover if I am only deluding myself by participating and not identifying). I can only say that I am confused. Thank you for these videos, Thomas

Great sir thank you so much,,,,I'm from Nepal namo buddhaya

Thank you 🌷

I was lost soo badly in ethics and religions i belive now buddhism is the right religion based on my character profile! :)

The Refuge Vows taken privately or publicly make you a Buddhist, when they are clear in the heart, internally. To live them out externally help you Practice not only Meditation but BuddhaDharma or Buddhism. Jikai

A lot of times I just tell people, (if they ask my religion). I follow the Dharma, and they can expand on that, with questions if they wish.

Blessings of the Buddha. I am from Sri Lanka and I hope that the Nali Kavan I gave to your program will help. I tell you to come to our country to learn about Buddhism. You have the Triple Gem☸️☸️☸️☸️

Buddhism is entirely on experience instead of beliefs and dogmas. That's one of the things that sets Buddhism light years from any religion . Another is the ever present wisdom and its unmatched depth. And then... well, there is plenty more: studying Buddhism is a life long journey.

unlike others budhism actually feels like a safe place for me, meditation actually works.

I know very little about Buddhism but what I know I like, it's a simpler philosophy of life and follows the golden rule plus and the meditation helped you achieve a state of mind that will enlight you...

Thank you🙏🙏

In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, to become "officialy buddhist" one have to take refuge with a lama. You also receive a dharma name. Most of the time when a great lama does a seminar he also gives refuge. But it is certain that the most important is to have an understanding of the dharma and to practice it. As always a great video, thanks Doug.

i went to a school at a buddhist centre and the beliefs have always appealed to me but i just get too scared to commit to it

I guess I’ve always been Buddhist, I’ve always believed in reincarnation, a temporary/ timed hell for bad people, nirvana and karma. Just used to never have the words for it

Somehow i feel like our mind is making it so exited about it, so intresting and complicated. while it's actually kinda simple, live

Yes Buddhism is the way of life to enlightenment yourself.

I've been an athiest since I was 16. Secular buddism I think is my way to connect to my religious friends without having to fall back into a faith I really don't belive in.

Buddhism is a profound philosophy of the intellect and the mind. It does not accept creationism and teaches that something has a cause. Developing the mind is the essence of Buddhism. The Buddha is also a human being and there is no mention of God.Even Albert Einstein spoke of Buddhism because of its realism.☸️

"The island has been a center of Buddhist scholarship and practice since the introduction of Buddhism in the third century BCE producing eminent scholars such as Buddhaghosa and preserving the vast Pāli Canon. Throughout most of its history, Sri Lankan kings have played a major role in the maintenance and revival of the Buddhist institutions of the island. During the 19th century, a modern Buddhist revival took place on the island which promoted Buddhist education. Due to the islands close ties with India, Sinhalese Buddhism has been in part influenced by Hinduism and indigenous beliefs, and some Buddhists share similar beliefs with Hindus, such as the worship of Hindu deities, the caste system, and Animism. Some traditional Sinhalese Temple layout also includes individual shrines dedicated to Hindu gods. Some of the most important Hindu god’s worshiped by some Sinhalese Buddhists include Vishnu, Murugan, Pathini, Nata, Gambara, Dedimunda, Saraswati, Ganesh, Lakshmi, Shiva and Kali, etc. Demons and spirits are also invoked during Exorcisms and rituals, which seem to be customs passed down from Pre-Buddhist indigenous times. In 2007, there were around 6,000 Buddhist monasteries on Sri Lanka with approximately 30,000 monks" (2)

I discovered zen buddhism around 3 years ago and in an unexplainable way I felt as if I've always known about it. It's seems as if the practice was made to my liking. I always felt a lack of connection growing up catholic and praying. Is this common?