BEING A BUDDHIST IN THERAVADA BUDDHISM

Abstract

A Buddhist is someone who sincerely believes in the Triple Gem and must follow the teachings of the Lord Buddha. They do not merely believe in him but do not act as Buddhists. There are five qualities of a Buddhist: having faith, having morality, not believing in superstitions, believing in karma and not believing in auspiciousness, not seeking merit outside of Buddhism, and supporting Buddhism and studying the teachings of the Lord Buddha with true respect. The declaration of one's Buddhist identity must be made verbally in front of four monks to acknowledge the individual's pledge to Buddhism. The declaration of one's Buddhist identity is usually held at a school, with five monks invited to preside over the ceremony. A brief summary of the steps is as follows: students pay respect to the Buddha together and receive the precepts from the monks. The student body leader leads the declaration of one's Buddhist identity and pays respect to the Buddha three times in the Benjangapadit style. The monks give a congratulatory sermon, and all the monks congratulate and give blessings. The students who have declared themselves Buddhist pour water and receive blessings. The ceremony concludes.

            The declaration of oneself as a Buddhist means taking the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha as the highest refuge. In this declaration, there must be a prayer to declare that one has accepted Buddhism among the monks who have come to witness. The popular prayer is as follows: Ete (male) Eta (female) Mayang Phante Sujirapariniputampi Tang Bhagavantang Saranan Gacchama Dhammañca Sanghanca Phutthamamagati (male) Phutthamamikati (female) No Sangho Dharetu. When the ceremony is complete, one will be a perfect Buddhist.