How to become a Buddhist

•Recite the Triple Refuge, Three Jewels

–I find refuge in the Buddha

–I find refuge in the Dharma (Doctrine)

–I find refuge in the Sangha (Community)

Buddhist Sacred Texts

•Largest number among the world religions but not all Buddhists rely on texts

•No single central text or collection of texts recognized as score Scripture by all the major branches in Buddhism

•Dhammapada esteemed in Sri Lanka (Theravada branch) provides a helpful access for the novice to core ethics

–25 short chapters and available in English

.Five Basic Rules of Conduct

•Lay Buddhists are expected to observe:

–Abstain from killing

–Abstain from stealing

–Abstain from lying

–Abstain from improper sexual conduct

–Abstain from intoxicants

•Lay Buddhists also provide support for the monks and nuns (especially Theravadins)