What does it mean to call yourself a Buddhist? Are there specific things you have to do or believe, or is it up to you?
Illustration by Nolan Pelletier.
Of course, anybody is free to draw on Buddhist principles and techniques they find helpful and to think of themselves as a Buddhist if they want. But it’s not a total free-for-all. Buddhists have lots of differing beliefs and practices, but there are a few shared principles that define them as Buddhists. These are the fundamental discoveries the Buddha made, and if you accept their truth, you’re a Buddhist.
Thich Nhat Hanh describes them this way: impermanence (everything is always changing), no self (nothing has a solid core or soul), and nirvana (peace is freedom from fixed concepts). In his great book What Makes You Not a Buddhist, Dzongsar Khyentse describes them as: All compounded things are impermanent, all emotions are pain, all things have no inherent existence, and nirvana is beyond concepts.
If you accept these principles, you can then make a formal commitment to Buddhism in a ceremony called “taking refuge.” Because nirvana means giving up ego’s futile search for refuge from impermanence and no self, the twist is that you’re taking refuge in not seeking a refuge. If you can do that, you’re really a Buddhist.
THANK YOU FOR READING LION’S ROAR. CAN WE ASK FOR YOUR HELP?
At Lion’s Roar, our mission is to communicate Buddhist wisdom in today’s world. The connections we share with you — our readers — are what drive us to fulfill this mission.
Today, we’re asking you to make a further connection with Lion’s Roar. Can you help us with a donation today?
As an independent nonprofit committed to sharing Buddhist wisdom in all its diversity and breadth, Lion’s Roar depends on the support of readers like you. If you have felt the benefit of Buddhist practice and wisdom in your own life, please support our work so that many others can benefit, too.
Please donate today — your support makes all the difference.
Lion’s Roar is a registered charity in the US and Canada. All US & Canadian donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
