An Active Engaged Way of Living

Please understand, reading a book or two (or three) does not make you a Buddhist any more than reading a book or two on anatomy makes you a doctor.

Just as the doctor has taken the time to learn and experience before she or he can practice medicine there are things you have to experience in Buddhism if you want to call yourself a follower of the Buddha.

This means there are certain ideas, principles, and practices you must experience.

None of the experiences can be found in a book. No doubt you've heard the saying, "You can't learn to ride a bike by reading a book about riding a bike."

You have to experience the bike to learn how to ride it.

The Buddha Way is just like this—you can't simply read about it, you have to experience it.

You have to experience the Teachings in your daily life. Buddhism, as you will learn if you practice it, is an active, engaged way of living.

To be a Buddhist, you must learn to live the Teachings, not just read and learn about them.