Arhat: a being who has attained Nirvana. Bodhisattva: a being who is on the way to enlightenment. Buddha: an awakened being who has achieved perfect enlightenment. Becoming a Buddha is the ultimate goal of Buddhism as highlighted by Shakyamuni Buddha in many scriptures such as The Lotus Sutra. [2] X Research source Dharma: a complicated term that usually refers to the teachings of the Buddha. Nirvana: spiritual bliss that transcends beyond duality, language, time, space and perception. It was often described by Shakyamuni Buddha using the metaphor of a mirror, that a mirror reflects images of all objects without any differentiation. [3] X Research source Nirvana is a result after attaining enlightenment. Sangha: the Buddhist community. Sutra: a sacred Buddhist text. Venerable: The title of an ordained monk or nun, seen wearing the specific colored robes of their tradition and sect.
There are many other schools of Buddhism, such as Nichiren Shoshu, Zen Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism, and Esoteric Buddhism. Schools of Buddhism are far from being the same. There are similarities to a degree but many schools of Buddhism have gone off on tangents over time. Because Buddhism is such an ancient religion, there are many intricate differences between all the schools that cannot be covered in detail here; spend time researching Buddhism to find out more.
Negative karma results from bad actions or thoughts, like killing, stealing, or lying. Positive karma results from good actions or thoughts, such as generosity, kindness, and spreading Buddhist teachings. Neutral karma results from actions that have no real effect, such as breathing or sleeping.
Ask about what services and activities the temple offers. Explore the different shrines. Attend a few services and see if you like the atmosphere.
Many Buddhist communities will travel together to different Buddhist temples across the world. This is a fun way to get involved. If at first you feel shy or nervous, this is perfectly normal. Buddhism is the most popular religion in many countries like Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal, Korea, Sri Lanka, China etc.
The specific aspects of the ceremony will vary from temple to temple. Do not feel obligated to take the Three Refuges, since upholding Buddhist morality is the most important part of this religion. If you cannot take the Three Refuges because of cultural reasons, or if you cannot find a temple near you, you can still uphold the Five Precepts. Once you take refuge in Buddhism, you are officially a Buddhist.
Teach others what you have learned about Buddhism once you think you’ve mastered a concept. There are hundreds of Buddhist concepts and teachings to study, but try not to feel overwhelmed or pressured to “get it” right away. Attend classes taught by a Venerable or lay devotee at your temple.
Right view Right intention Right speech Right action Right livelihood Right effort Right mindfulness Right concentration
