Reply #14: Find a Sangha in your area and attend.

[roughsatori]

There are many kinds of Buddhists. You may need to explore and find which is a proper fit for you. There are sects of Buddhists that are non-theist, and sects that are theist. Though many Americans will tell you to pick and choose what bits you like - some Buddhists, like some Christians, or Jews, will take offense at that kind of approach. Some feel it is better to be a good Jew than it is to be a haphazard Buddhist. Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche wrote a classic book on the topic: "Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism." Chogyam Trungpa was a controversial teacher who has touched me deeply.

There is a formal ritual: In taking refuge one vows to take refuge in the Buddha, Sangha (congregation of people as in a Temple or Church group), and Dharma (the way or truth). I have known a few devout Jews, and Christians who do find that the practice of non-theist Buddhism is a complementary practice. Of course, they have had to navigate through members of their original Faith practice. Some Christians absolutely flip at the idea of the practice of meditation as handed down from Buddha. They will be ignorant of the fact that Buddha taught before Jesus was born. You will find people who claim that the mix is a corruption of one or the other religion. Some approach Buddhism as a philosophy and find it makes a wonderful addition to their Faith tradition.

Most Sanghas offer free meditation instruction one night a week. Some offer weekly lectures and classes. When I live near a Sangha, I will meditate with the group on Wed. for one hour: 45 minutes of sitting and 15 of walking. And Sundays for 3 hours of sitting. Meditation is a must if one is to learn about Buddhism. On my own, away from a Sangha, I find I am a lazy. We use the term "sitting" as opposed to "meditation." This is done because the word "meditation" is fraught with baggage and lends a false air of importance to the act of sitting and breathing.

You may want to look at Mahayana, Hinayana (now frequently referred to as Theravada) , and Vajrayana schools of thought - see which would be most simpatico for you. There are sects of Buddhism that are quite scholarly that may, or may not, appeal to you. My recommendation is to simply start by reading the words of Buddha and meditating. But keep in mind this teaching of Buddha's: "Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."

My own understanding of Buddhism is quite limited. I apologize for this off the top of my head post. I hope it helps at least a little bit.