During a conversation among a group of us prior to a formal meditation session several years ago someone said, “I’m not a Buddhist. I just practice the Dharma.” It sounded pompous to me, but I understand where she was coming from. Identifying with being Buddhist is no different from identifying with the body and mind, which is – according to Buddhist doctrine – cause for suffering. The speaker was trying not to identify with Buddhism as a religion. But for what purpose? Why avoid such a common convention?
Imagine someone saying, “I’m not a Christian. I just follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.” Doesn’t that by definition make one a Christian? OK, maybe that’s not a good example, because, first, one has to be baptized to be a Christian. Second, not all Christians follow the teachings of Jesus, so that doesn’t seem to be a prerequisite.
Unlike Christianity, one doesn’t become a Buddhist through the performance of any rite or ritual. One becomes a Buddhist by taking refuge in the Buddha (the teacher), the Dharma (the teachings), and the Sangha (the community of monks and nuns who practice the teachings) – collectively known as the the Three Jewels or Triple Gem. But what does taking refuge mean?
Historically, common people sought the protection of those who had the capacity to protect them. It was a matter of physical survival. Also, in matters of spiritual survival, people would take refuge in spiritual leaders. Very simple, really. Taking refuge, then as now, is a matter of putting one’s faith in a protector. In this case, the Three Jewels.
The Buddha teaches the end of suffering. One needs faith that practicing what the Buddha teaches will lead to that end. The only effect of a lack of faith (which implies a lack of skillful practice) is more suffering. It’s not punishment, but a logical consequence.
The teachings of the Buddha are divided into eight categories that instruct on living skillfully, so skillfully that when all these skills are sharpened to perfection, ultimate happiness is realized. In other words, the effect of skillful living is happiness, the effect of unskilful living is unhappiness. The eight categories are known as the Eightfold Path of Right View, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.
Following the Eightfold Path to the best of one’s ability is practicing the Dharma. Practicing the Dharma is applying the teachings of the Buddha to one’s life. This seems to me a good description of Buddhist. Why not just say so? If that’s what I do – skillfully or not – that’s what I am.
4 Comments
You ask why avoid such a common convention as identifying with religion. Because in the minds of many people that “common convention” known as religion is in no way regarded as a positive thing, but represents superstition and empty relgious trappings at best, and I won’t even go into what it represents at worst. (History can be consulted for that.) I, for one, can fully understand someone wishing to distance themselves from anything that smacks of religion, even if they love and try to live by the the teachings of the Buddha. I would most likely fall into the same category as the person you are writing about. I could turn your question around and ask, “If you’re living it, why do you need a label for it anyway?” Just keep living it.
My two cents, humbly (I hope) offered.
Peace, and I’ve been enjoying your blog.
Two cents accepted, Canoe. Yes, I know many people carry the scars and baggage of religion, and therefore are glad to get rid of the trappings as best they can. I’m not suggesting it’s necessary or even desirable that one who practices Buddhism identify as being a Buddhist. But it’s a bit spiritually snobbish – in my opinion – to go out of one’s way to avoid the connection so as to appear above all that mundane superficiality. I’m not an American, I’m merely a collection of forms, feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness who happened to be born in a place called the United States….
And I agree, it’s more important to live it rather than label it. But when asked if I’m a Buddhist, I say “yes.” It’s so much easier that way. Thanks for stopping by. I hope to see you again.
I found this post very clear and helpful; thanks Paul. I have often struggled with the distinction between what was implied when I once called and identified myself as a ‘Christian’ (or more specifically, a ‘Catholic’) and struggling with – in that former context – calling myself a ‘Buddhist’.
From that perspective and confusion, it got to the point that it seemed best, and more genuine, to not invoke the ‘Buddhist’ label at all…Maybe that’s what that person meant by claiming not to be a Buddhist, just a follower of the Dharma?…
Later, I came to understand what you are saying…the problem persisting though…that when identifying myself as a ‘Buddhist’ to a person who understands this label with the implications of being ‘Christian’ or ‘Jew’ or ‘Muslim’; it makes for misunderstanding between the two of us…
Any thoughts?, Comments?
John
Hi John. Perception is one of the five aggregates (form, feeling, perception, mental formations, consciousness). Perception is part of what we are. When I say, “I’m a Buddhist,” not only do I have a certain perception of what that means to me, I also expect others to have a perception of “Buddhist.” But I can’t control what others perceive, that is, what arises in someone’s mind. For example, one person may respond, “Wow, aren’t you mysterious and mystical.” Another may say, “I’ll pray for you since you’re obviously going to hell.” (When my daughter told a friend she was a Buddhist, the friend replied, “I can’t believe you worship some fat dude!”)
So, yes, there is so much room for misunderstanding. But that’s not what I’m addressing here. Rather, it’s the identification with being – and not being – Buddhist I’m talking about. Identification with our perceptions and the other aggregates is, says the Buddha, suffering. It’s not that we shouldn’t have perceptions, rather we should strive not to identify with them. A person can take great pride in announcing, “I’m a Buddhist.” Likewise, a person can take great pride in announcing, “I’m not a Buddhist, I just practice the Dharma.” Both indicate a strong identification.