Conversion To Buddhism

Two types of conversion.

In the Buddha's scheme of things conversion has two meanings.

1.        Conversion to the Order of Bhikkus called Sangh.

2.       Secondly, it means conversion of a householder as an Upasaka or lay follower of the Buddha's Dhamma.

• Except on four points there is no difference in the way of life of the Bhikku and the Upasaka.
• An Upasaka remains a householder. A Bhikku becomes a homeless wanderer.
• Both the Upasakas and the Bhikkus must observe in their life certain rules.
• Here again to the Bhikku they are vows the breach of which ends in punishment. To the Upasaka they are precepts. They must be observed to the best of his ability.
• An Upasaka can have property. A Bhikku cannot have.
• To become an Upasaka there is no ceremony.
• To become a Bhikku he must undergo a ceremony called Upasampada.
• The Buddha converted those who came to him according to their wish either as Bhikku or as Upasaka.
• An Upasaka could become a Bhikku whenever he felt like it.
• And a Bhikku had to cease to be a Bhikku when he committed a breach of the major vows or whenever he wished to give up his membership of the Order.
• It must not be understood that the Buddha converted only those whose names occur in the following pages.
• The instances are chosen only to show that he did not observe any distinction as to caste or sex in admitting persons to his Sangh or preaching his Dhamma.