How long have I been Buddhist ?

[thehappysnapper]

So what do you good folk think, just how long have I been Buddhist ?

https://thehappysnappershideout.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/so-just-how-long-have-i-been-buddhist/

[Blue Garuda]

You have two alternatives IMHO.

Either:

When you formally took Refuge in a ceremony with a preceptor.

Or:

When you took refuge in your heart and mind.


I would say the second is the true 'Refuge' and may take place before or after any ceremony, or even during it!

[Monkey Mind]

I like to believe that I have been a Buddhist since I was 14. That was when I learned about meditation and 5 precepts, and have made an effort to live according to these.

I did not have a formal refuge/ precept ceremony until I was 18 and/ or 22. The ceremony carries an air of official formality, but not much changed in my life as a result because I was already walking the Path. Does that help?

[thehappysnapper]

You have two alternatives IMHO.

Either:

When you formally took Refuge in a ceremony with a preceptor.

Or:

When you took refuge in your heart and mind.


I would say the second is the true 'Refuge' and may take place before or after any ceremony, or even during it!

Yesh, I have yet to take refuge formally, for the moment its just within my own heart and mind, but no less important to me, my own thoughts were that I should only really count the six months since I began taking refuge as this is one of the defining things about being Buddhist :-)

[thehappysnapper]

I like to believe that I have been a Buddhist since I was 14. That was when I learned about meditation and 5 precepts, and have made an effort to live according to these.

I did not have a formal refuge/ precept ceremony until I was 18 and/ or 22. The ceremony carries an air of official formality, but not much changed in my life as a result because I was already walking the Path. Does that help?

It does to a certain extent Monkey, as I have said below I have yet to formalise my refuge but its still very important to me, although I have been reading and studying Buddhism for around 3.5 years I think I should only really count myself as "officially" Buddhist for the six months during which I have been taking refuge as this is one of the main definitions of being Buddhist :-)

[Blue Garuda]

You have two alternatives IMHO.

Either:

When you formally took Refuge in a ceremony with a preceptor.

Or:

When you took refuge in your heart and mind.


I would say the second is the true 'Refuge' and may take place before or after any ceremony, or even during it!

Yesh, I have yet to take refuge formally, for the moment its just within my own heart and mind, but no less important to me, my own thoughts were that I should only really count the six months since I began taking refuge as this is one of the defining things about being Buddhist :-)

That seems a very valid method of assessing it.

[Caz]

Theres a Hell of alot of room for Improvement with me

[Blue Garuda]

Theres a Hell of alot of room for Improvement with me

There is no inherently exisiting  'me' .  Fixed! LOL

Was taking Refuge a smooth process Caz, or did you ponder awhile?

[Caz]

Theres a Hell of alot of room for Improvement with me

There is no inherently exisiting  'me' .  Fixed! LOL

Was taking Refuge a smooth process Caz, or did you ponder awhile?

Did it when I was little seemed natural at the time, Of course when your little you dont fully understand whats going on

[Blue Garuda]

Theres a Hell of alot of room for Improvement with me

There is no inherently exisiting  'me' .  Fixed! LOL

Was taking Refuge a smooth process Caz, or did you ponder awhile?

Did it when I was little seemed natural at the time, Of course when your little you dont fully understand whats going on

A perfect answer - seemed natural. 

Once an adult, of course, you had the chance to take a different course.

It brings to mind the many people who are now 'taking back' their Christian baptisms.  At first the CofE refused to acknowledge it, but I think now, if you print a rejection in the press, they accept it.

The daftness of UK law is universal:   I changed my name and legally need do no more than use the new name.  However, all banks, driving licence and passport agency etc. require me to write down that I am changing my name, get a witness, put it on paper, with a watermark which says it is an 'original' Deed Poll document.

Your religion is arguably much more important than your name, but it seems that leaving Christianity to become a Buddhist is a bit like Hotel California! ;)

Just come across this beautiful chanting:

Ti-Sarana (Buddhist song)

[Hanzze]

One may find out when starting to let go of being something. *smile* Once a "Buddhist" there is no return.

[Spiny le Norman]

Either:
When you formally took Refuge in a ceremony with a preceptor.
Or:
When you took refuge in your heart and mind.

I would say the second is the true 'Refuge' and may take place before or after any ceremony, or even during it!

I agree.  For me a formal refuge ceremony really represents a commitment to a particular group or teacher, which may not last.

Spiny

[CSEe]

Just sharing . To me Buddhism is platform of all lifes or nature , know ourself of all our awareness , regard ourself same and equal with all living or non-living is Buddhism .  "Buddhist" should not be existed as we should never regard ourself "different" from others .

Knowing ourself as "Buddhist" will directly or in-directly "grouping" ourself different from others as this will perhaps lead us to ego / pride / knowledge of believing we could be better than other living or non-living in search of emptiness .....the fact is we are not .

Thks
CSEe

[thehappysnapper]

Just sharing . To me Buddhism is platform of all lifes or nature , know ourself of all our awareness , regard ourself same and equal with all living or non-living is Buddhism .  "Buddhist" should not be existed as we should never regard ourself "different" from others .

Knowing ourself as "Buddhist" will directly or in-directly "grouping" ourself different from others as this will perhaps lead us to ego / pride / knowledge of believing we could be better than other living or non-living in search of emptiness .....the fact is we are not .

Thks
CSEe

My intention wasn't meant to make me out to be different from anyone else or better than anyone else, I use the name Buddhist simply as a label of convenience for someone who follows Buddhist philosophy or has taken Buddhism a their religion, someone who has taken refuge in the Three Jewels, I'm sorry if my words made me sound as though I consider myself better than others :-)   

[CSEe]

My intention wasn't meant to make me out to be different from anyone else or better than anyone else, I use the name Buddhist simply as a label of convenience for someone who follows Buddhist philosophy or has taken Buddhism a their religion, someone who has taken refuge in the Three Jewels, I'm sorry if my words made me sound as though I consider myself better than others :-)   

No need sorry , is not you but to me no one should "known" as Buddhist........to me I current believe Buddhism is all about same and equal so I should not differenciate myself in any possible way .

Thks
CSEe