Q&A (How can a person become a Buddhist?)

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Q: How can a person become a Buddhist?

Head Priest: According to the Buddha, there was only one condition to be "a Buddhist". The condition was to have "ears" to his teachings. Having "ears" means not only listening to his teachings but also applying his teachings in everyday life. In this sense, as long as one is learning and using the Buddha's teachings, the person is a Buddhist.

Now, traditional Buddhist schools will ask one to take refuge in the triple gem (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha). Then, they will ask the person to honor the five precepts or even ten precepts to live as a Buddhist. Indeed, this will give the person serious sense of commitments to Buddhism. This person is an ordained (committed) Buddhist.

Personally, I think that a person who has faith in the Buddha's teachings is a Buddhist. Then, I think that a person who shows powerful commitments (being ordained) is a Buddhist priest. These personal ideas are actually used for Shingyo Temple. We ask a person to perform self-ordination to be ordained at Shingyo Temple. This means that the person can focus on own salvation through the Buddha's teachings and practice. However, we ask a person who wants to be a registered priest to make powerful commitment for not only own salvation but also supporting people of the Buddha and Shingyo Temple (Sangha). Such commitment is simply more than just being a Buddhist. This means to be an immediate student (follower) of the Buddha. So, priests of Shingyo Temple are definitely honor the triple gem and the five precepts. However, they will honor Buddhahood of every person who comes to them.

In other words, being a Buddhist can be done if one can have sincere faith in the Buddha's teachings. However, being a Buddhist priest can be done only if a person can think and behave like the Buddha to support other persons in own path to the final salvation.

Gassho.