Ashin, you say that Buddhism is not religion but if someone like myself wants to become a Buddhist by properly understanding what the Buddha taught, what can I do and how can I become a Buddhist?

Q: Ashin, you say that Buddhism is not religion but if someone like myself wants to become a Buddhist by properly understanding what the Buddha taught, what can I do and how can I become a Buddhist?

A: well, it is an interesting question to me. I totally and perfectly understand that Buddhism is not like a religion which trains its people to develop unquestioning faith in a Creator God, it’s creation and a messenger of such a God. However, in these days, all over the world, there are quite many people who convert themselves to Buddhism even though there is no way to physically convert people to Buddhism.

Therefore, there is a technique how to become a Buddhist for those who want to do so. It was answered by the Buddha, himself. Of curse, the Buddha and His disciples didn’t use the term, “Buddhism and Buddhist” in the time of the Buddha. One of the Buddha’s relatives named Mahānāma asked “ Oh! Buddha, how can I truly become an Upāsakā?”

It was the question to the Buddha. Upāsakā is appropriate term to “Buddhist” in these days. The Buddha answered “Oh! Prince Mahānāma, you can truly become Buddhist by taking a refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha and you must strictly observe the five precepts, Pancasīla in everyday life.

Therefore, it is the way how to truly become Buddhist. Even though Buddhism is not like a religion, we have to accept that the word, “Buddhism” has been existed for centuries. And also there is nothing wrong for someone like you to become Buddhist because you are not going to go a religious war by becoming Buddhist but you want to live peacefully according to the Dhamma being closely instructed by Sangha, who is well-trained in the peace and harmony by practicing moral and spiritual qualities.

Here’s Technique how to become Buddhist;
You have to repeat after a leading Buddhist monk or a Buddhist lay teacher by saying:
1. Buddham saranam gacchami. I go to the Buddha for refuge.
2. Dhammam saranam gacchami. I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
3. Sangham saranam gacchami. I go to the Sangha for refuge. And you have to observe the five precepts, Pacasīla.
1. Pānātipātā veramani Sikkhāpadam samādhiyāmi.
I undertake to refrain from killing any sentient beings.
2. Adinnadānā veramani sikkhāpadam samādhiyāmi.
I undertake to refrain from taking what is not given.
3. Kāmesu micchacārā veramani sikkhāpadam samādhiyāmi.
I undertake to refrain from committing sexual misconduct.
4. Musāvārā veramani sikkhāpadam samādhiyāmi.
I undertake to refrain from telling lie.
5. Surāmerayamajjhappamādatthānā veramani sikkhāpadam samādhiyāmi.
I undertake to refrain from taking intoxicating drinks and drugs.

I hope you know now how to truly become Buddhist as answered by the Buddha.

Q: Thank you very much, Ashin. I feel so meaningful to become Buddhist with you.