乾县铁佛寺移动版

approach to Buddhism that appeals to you most. Then it will be impossible for you to say that the source of the river is inferior to the mouth or that the mouth it a distortion of the source.

13. BECOMING A BUDDHIST

QUESTION: What you said so far is very interesting to me. How do I become a Buddhist?

ANSWER: Once there was a man called Upali who was impressed by the Buddha's teachings and decided to become one of his disciples. But the Buddha said to him:

‘Make a proper investigation first Upali. Proper investigation is good for a well-known person like yourself. ’ M.II,379

In Buddhism, understanding is the most important thing and understanding takes time; it is the end product of a process. So do not impulsively rush into Buddhism. Take your time, ask questions, consider carefully and then make your decision. The Buddha was not interested in having large numbers of disciples. He was concerned that people should follow his teachings as a result of a careful investigation and consideration of facts.

QUESTION: If I have done this and I find the Buddha's teachings acceptable, what would I do then if I wanted to become a Buddhist?

ANSWER: It would be best to join a good temple or Buddhist group, support them, be supported by them, and continue to learn more about Buddha's teachings. Then, when you are ready, you would formally become a Buddhist by taking the Three Refuges.

QUESTION: What are the Three Refuges?

ANSWER: A refuge is a place where people go when they are distressed or when they  need safety or security. There are  many types of refuge. When  people are unhappy, they take refuge with their friends. The Buddha said:

‘Take refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha and see with real understanding the Four Noble  Truths, suffering, the cause of suffering, the transcending of suffering and the Noble Eightfold Path  that leads  to  the transcending of  suffering.   This indeed is a safe refuge, this is the refuge supreme. This is the refuge whereby one is freed from all suffering.’ Dhp. 189-192

Taking Refuge in the Buddha is a confident acceptance of the fact one can become fully  enlightened  and  perfected  just  as  the  Buddha  was.  Taking  Refuge  in  the Dhamma means understanding the Four Noble Truths and basing one's life on the Noble  Eightfold  Path.  Taking  Refuge  in  the  Sangha  means  looking for  support, inspiration and guidance from all who walk the Noble Eightfold Path. Doing this, one becomes a Buddhist and thus takes the first step on the path towards Nirvana.

QUESTION: What changes have taken place in your life since you first took the three refuges?

ANSWER: Like countless millions of others over the last 2500 years, I have found that the Buddha's teachings have made sense out of a difficult world. They have given meaning to what was meaningless life. They have given me a humane and compassionate ethics with which to lead my life and they have shown me how I can attain a state of purity and perfection in this life, and if not then, in the next life. A poet in ancient India once wrote of the Buddha:

‘ To go to him for refuge, to sing his praise, to do him honor and to abide in (责任编辑：admin)