Simple question. Difficult answer. For me being a Buddhist in the west is about integration. And integration, at least in my experience, is the only obstacle, albeit a big one, I have. I know some people are new to Buddhism so to benefit you I will give examples of how I integrate some of my practices into daily life and hope that some other readers might share their experiences.
Mantras and malas, a staple of Tibetan Buddhism. I always carry my malas with me, but ask your teacher. I try to say mantras when I can; driving, sitting, watching TV, walking, etc but I don’t make it flashy. When I was a beginner I really wanted to know what to do with the malas when I went to the bathroom. Yes, this question caused me stress. Solution: I just put them in my front pocket before I go into the bathroom. Bonus, I found some mantras to say when using the bathroom in Enlightened Living by Tulku Thondup. The food prayer is something I try not to make look like a “now bow your head” scenario, especially at a restaurant. I know some people just tip up the edge of their plate, some people hold up a offering plate. Again it is a food offering prayer not a food demonstration.
Days when I take the 8 Vows. Twice a month, on the 15th and the 30th of the Tibetan calendar, I take the 8 Mahayana vows. These are the 5 precepts plus no eating after noon, no sitting/sleeping on high places, no dancing or singing (no entertainment) and no ornamentation. They last from sunrise to sunrise and for me it is a great practice in being mindful or as Rigpa Dorje says “Hunger strike against samsara”. Sometimes I have to be into work before the sun rises and sometimes those days fall on the days I take the 8 vows at sunrise. So I have to take my text with me, and at sunrise, I go into a little room, kneel down, vow away, and then back to work. Some of the little things I have to remind myself of: Make sure the radio is turned off before you get in the car, otherwise the song you hear will be stuck in your head. Watch out for the candy sitting around, this almost got me but it was before noon so I was ok. And I have to watch out for mindless chatter, people like to talk and they tend to gravitate to the person not speaking, me.
Next, people will find out you’re a Buddhist and they will have certain perceptions/opinions about Buddhism. Everything from “Buddhism doesn’t offer salvation”, to you will have to answer to a god, to you are not Asian, and I have even had you are not a Buddhist because you do this or that. I remind myself that I am practicing and while I would love to engage them about their own religion, that action ultimately won’t do any good. I don’t wear maroon, I do shave my head, not because I want to look like a monk but because I am losing my hair. I do wear a protection cord and some other Dharma accouterments, but I keep them hidden under my shirt. I do carry a small daily prayer book and some Dharma pictures because maybe I will get snowed in somewhere and I have to practice. Oh and I carry them in a cool looking Mountainsmith pack.
Daily Practice. This, in whatever tradition you practice, is very important. In the beginning this was the hardest for me to establish. Do what your teacher has suggested. I have to remind myself that I have vowed to liberate sentient beings and daily practice helps them. Buddhism is a vast religion, that is probably not mastered overnight. The Buddhas are kind, seriously they are. They don’t judge, won’t threaten you with eternal damnation, etc, and should you end up in a hell realm well I have read that the Buddhas even go there to help (read a story about Avalokiteśvara) Ask questions and I guess the most important point is practice, study, and be kind to yourself. Remember compassion starts with you. And to all those on the Buddhist path I will take this sentence to say THANK YOU for your compassion and I beseech you to return to benefit all sentient beings. Please add your suggestions…
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