The Duty of a Real Buddhist

The Buddha said that: “A Buddhist is the one who takes refuge in the Buddha, in the Dhamma, in the Saṅgha and practise the Dhamma.”

Actually, those who want to be Buddhists, firstly have to believe strongly in the three Ratanas (the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Saṅgha). They accept them as teachers, guides or shelters. This means they practise the Buddha’s teachings. They should study the fundamental teachings of the Buddha such as what should be done and what should not; how a Buddhist should behave himself in relation to others. The formula they have to recite in the ceremony of taking refuge is thus:

Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchamī

Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchamī

Saṃghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchamī

Taking refuge is complete after reciting this formula three times. To become a Buddhist is very simple. However, they should not be Buddhists for name sake only. They must practise the Buddha’s teachings: Not to do evils, to do what is good, and to purify the mind. That means they must perform the following religious tasks daily with conviction and wisdom:

- Paying homage to the Triple Gem by reflecting on, reciting their virtues and by worshiping:

- Observing the five or eight precepts.

- Doing the act of charity or offering something to the Buddha and the Sangha with righteous volition.

- Cultivating loving-kindness for oneself and to all living beings.

- Striving for the perpetuation and propagation of the Buddha’s teachings:  participating in religious associations, supporting the pariyatti-sāsana and paṭipatti-sāsana, donation and distribution of books on Buddhism, teaching and discussing. Practise mindfulness on tranquillity and insight meditation.

- Sharing merit accrued from meritorious deeds of charity, morality and meditation by saying: “May all living beings gain the benefits of merit equally with me”.