Table of Contents
Can a westerner be a Buddhist?
Westerners can definitely do Buddhism, and are its future.
Can anybody be a Buddhist?
Yes, anyone can become a Buddhist. You will need to take refuge in the Triple Gem and follow a ceremony during which you take a vow to uphold the Five Precepts (to not kill, not steal, not commit sexual misconduct, refrain from false speech and not take intoxicants that lessen your awareness).
Can a westerner become a monk?
After a five-year novitiate he was ordained a Bhikku or full monk, and adopted the name “Dhammaloka”. It is most likely that this ceremony took place prior to 1899, which would mean he may potentially hold the distinction of becoming the first westerner to become a Buddhist monk.
What do Americans think of Buddhism?
Americans now generally view Buddhism favorably, according to Pew Research Center, while Canadians view Buddhism in equal favorability with Christianity, according to an Angus Reid poll. Mindfulness is taught in schools, and Buddhism is presented as a sort-of spiritual science.
Even today, comparisons of Buddhism and science are commonplace, with neuroscientists, psychologists, and physicists paying attention to Buddhist doctrines and practices, such as mindfulness.
Is Buddhism the path to career success?
It was Buddhism—a tradition today often heralded in popular culture as the path to everything from a better professional career to world peace. Within a century, Buddhism in America has gone from being frequently portrayed as a “dangerous cult” to becoming the prime spiritual practice of the business elite.
What is the best way to learn about Buddhism?
The easiest way in the West is to find a Buddhist center near you, where you can get an introduction to Buddhism and learn meditation. There are usually books, magazines and recorded lectures available to check out.