{"id":11592,"date":"2021-04-19T15:47:49","date_gmt":"2021-04-19T05:47:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/?page_id=11592"},"modified":"2021-05-19T10:05:19","modified_gmt":"2021-05-19T00:05:19","slug":"new-to-buddhism","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/new-to-buddhism\/","title":{"rendered":"New To Buddhism"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"11592\" class=\"elementor elementor-11592\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-085f1d2 elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"085f1d2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\" data-e-bg-lazyload=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6c8fbac\" data-id=\"6c8fbac\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88d829d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"88d829d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.14.0 - 26-06-2023 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">New to buddhism<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e7bd8a8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e7bd8a8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-824a8e1\" data-id=\"824a8e1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb661b3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fb661b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.14.0 - 26-06-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"386\" src=\"https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/NEW-TO-BUDDHISM.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5156\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/NEW-TO-BUDDHISM.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/NEW-TO-BUDDHISM-600x309.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/NEW-TO-BUDDHISM-300x155.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" style=\"width:100%;height:51.5%;max-width:800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-983599c elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"983599c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.14.0 - 26-06-2023 *\/\n.elementor-column .elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--spacer-size)}.e-con{--container-widget-width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer{width:var(--container-widget-width,var(--spacer-size));--align-self:var(--container-widget-align-self,initial);--flex-shrink:0}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer{height:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--container-widget-height,var(--spacer-size))}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c1d4414 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c1d4414\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.14.0 - 26-06-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>Siddhartha Gautama was born into a royal family in the area around Northern India that is currently Southern Nepal, in 563 BCE. At the age of 29, Siddhartha realised that wealth and luxury did not guarantee happiness, so he explored the different teachings, religions and philosophies of the day, to find the key to lasting human happiness.\u00a0After six years of study and meditation he finally discovered (not invented) \u2018the middle path\u2019 and gained enlightenment at the age of 35.\u00a0 The title Buddha means \u2018the awakened one\u2019. After enlightenment, the Buddha spent the rest of his life teaching until his passing at the age of 80.\u00a0 The Buddha taught a path to enlightenment (or lasting happiness) from his own experience.\u00a0His teachings are called \u2018the Dharma\u2019, meaning Truth. These teachings later came to be known as Buddhism. His teachings are maintained by the \u2018Sangha\u2019, a term used to refer to community of monks and nuns.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-319ae67 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"319ae67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.14.0 - 26-06-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-divider{--divider-border-style:none;--divider-border-width:1px;--divider-color:#0c0d0e;--divider-icon-size:20px;--divider-element-spacing:10px;--divider-pattern-height:24px;--divider-pattern-size:20px;--divider-pattern-url:none;--divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(--divider-element-spacing);flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font-size:var(--divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider-separator{display:flex;margin:0;direction:ltr}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator{align-items:center}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:before{display:block;content:\"\";border-bottom:0;flex-grow:1;border-top:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider__element{margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider__element{margin-right:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon) .elementor-divider-separator{border-top:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern{--divider-border-style:none}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern.elementor-widget-divider--view-line .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider--view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(--divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(--divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing{--divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider--bg-round{--divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-divider,.e-con>.elementor-widget-divider{width:var(--container-widget-width,100%);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51a0604 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"51a0604\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Everyday Buddhism<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dbf9fb8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dbf9fb8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The daily practices of Buddhists depend on personal choice as well as many other factors. Some Buddhists simply set aside a time each day to meditate, while others may include prayers, chanting, reciting the Buddha\u2019s name, taking refuge and bowing to the altar (which normally holds a Buddha image). The language used for chanting can be any one of many languages such as English, Pali, Sanskrit, Chinese, or Tibetan. Daily practice typically lasts from 15 minutes to one hour.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Another common practice among Buddhists is taking the vow to follow the five precepts. These precepts include refraining from killing, stealing, engaging in sexual misconduct, harmful speech and the taking of intoxicants. The act of keeping these vows serves as a moral code that allows Buddhist practitioners to refrain from engaging in harmful or unskilful acts.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Some practitioners may decide to renew these vows from time to time. This serves as a continual reminder to foster generosity, compassion and loving kindness (a wish for all beings to be well and happy). Those wishing to explore Buddhism may choose to go on a retreat. This offers a defined period of quiet reflection and meditation lasting from days to weeks, or even months. A Buddhist pilgrimage involves making a special trip to holy places such as in India, Nepal, Tibet, China or Sri Lanka. For most Buddhists, ordained monks and nuns play the central role in the Buddhist community as teachers and spiritual leaders, although some Buddhists prefer less ceremony and instead learn from lay teachers.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Buddhist teachings can be explored and tested by anyone. The Buddha\u2019s teachings do not rely on blind faith. Rather, the Buddha encouraged his students to test his teachings by applying them to daily life. When one\u2019s faith and confidence in the Buddhist path develops, a formal ceremony can be undertaken called \u2018taking refuge\u2019. This essentially involves recognising the importance of the Triple Gem or Three Jewels: namely the Buddha (who discovered the path), the Dharma (the teachings) and the Sangha (the community of ordained monks and nuns who devote their lives to spiritual practice).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fed51ef elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"fed51ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6de2a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b6de2a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Buddhist Teachings<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-dcb9c76 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"dcb9c76\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-aac5b3a\" data-id=\"aac5b3a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c81a2d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6c81a2d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"249\" src=\"https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Cultural-and-Language-Barriers-1024x340.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4351\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Cultural-and-Language-Barriers-1024x340.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Cultural-and-Language-Barriers-600x199.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Cultural-and-Language-Barriers-300x100.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Cultural-and-Language-Barriers.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" style=\"width:100%;height:33.17%;max-width:1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c0a1400 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c0a1400\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>All sentient beings have a shared goal \u2013 humans, animals and insects alike \u2013 have a desire to be happy and free from suffering. The Buddha recognised this, and taught a more skilful approach to life that leads to more lasting happiness. Instead of relying on external factors such as fame and wealth to give us happiness, the Buddha\u2019s teaching asks us to look within and change our perception of the world. We normally see our problems as \u201cout there\u201d, but Buddhism teaches that it\u2019s actually all about our perception of reality. Seeing clearly where our difficulties originate is the first step to overcoming them. The paradox is that most of us find ourselves unknowingly creating conditions that lead us back to the dissatisfaction we so desperately seek to eliminate.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Buddhism points to the underlying causes of our day-to-day problems and teaches a graduated path to liberate us from suffering. This is known as the Noble Eight-Fold Path. Buddhist teachings are therefore about reducing the causes of suffering and increasing the causes of happiness. The Buddha\u2019s teachings cannot be absorbed through intellectual understanding alone; it needs to be realised through direct experience. This is where meditation fits in. The aim of Buddhist teachings is to develop the capacity to recognise that the ever changing, inter-connected universe follows the law of cause and effect. In order to realise this both intellectually and experientially, it is necessary to learn how to cultivate mindfulness. Meditation practice helps us to achieve this.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2afd268 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"2afd268\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b86e284 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b86e284\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Introduction to Meditation<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4600609 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4600609\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Your mind is normally active, generating a continuous flow of thoughts, sensations and emotions.&nbsp; Meditation practice recognises that this is how the mind functions.&nbsp; It does not try to stop your thoughts, but rather, offers techniques for letting them go.<\/p>\n<p><br><\/p>\n<p>So how does meditation work?&nbsp; We experience everything through our mind, so by training or cultivating this mind, we can change the quality of our experience.&nbsp;&nbsp; Gradually, meditation practice alters the structure of the brain and new neuronal pathways are created which improve whole brain functioning.&nbsp; Meditation increases left-prefrontal lobe activity, which is associated with happiness, compassion and curiosity.&nbsp;&nbsp; It also tends to reduce \u201cneuronal gossip\u201d, i.e. thoughts of anxiety, fear and worry.&nbsp; This is achieved by resting the mind in natural, non-judgmental awareness.&nbsp; Buddhist meditation helps us to be aware of the \u201cmental poisons\u201d of attachment, aversion and ignorance, which lead to harm for ourselves and other sentient beings.<\/p>\n<p><br><\/p>\n<p>Meditation can help increase our happiness and compassion, allowing us to be more aware of the needs of other beings.&nbsp; Over time, meditation can even make us more aware of the consequences of our own actions, or the actions of others. In this way, we may learn to uncover the illusion of \u201cSelf\u201d. In this way, we become less selfish and absorbed in our own thoughts, fears and desires. Over time, we may start to realise that there is no difference between the mind that thinks and the thoughts that flow in and out of it.<\/p><p><br><\/p>\n<p>The difference between ordinary meditation and Buddhist meditation is Mindfulness.&nbsp; What is this? It is the link between sitting meditation practice and everyday life.&nbsp; Mindfulness meditation improves our awareness throughout the day, so that we are not on \u201cauto-pilot\u201d, but instead living life fully aware.&nbsp; It\u2019s important to integrate practice into day-to-day life.&nbsp; There is no point in being calm on the cushion but out of control throughout the day.&nbsp; Mindfulness can be applied in every situation: listening to others, cleaning the house, eating your meal, or walking along the street.&nbsp; These are all opportunities for mindfulness and being aware of the present moment.&nbsp;<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-369fb87 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"369fb87\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c476b39 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c476b39\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Practicing Meditation<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d53e0b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0d53e0b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"259\" src=\"https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/IMG_9247-1200x6001-1024x353.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3930\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/IMG_9247-1200x6001-1024x353.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/IMG_9247-1200x6001-600x207.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/IMG_9247-1200x6001-300x103.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/IMG_9247-1200x6001.jpg 1193w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" style=\"width:100%;height:34.45%;max-width:1193px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56d178f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"56d178f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>How do you meditate?&nbsp; Firstly, let go of your expectations about meditation.&nbsp; The Buddha taught many meditation techniques, so there is no single best method. Each&nbsp;tradition has different methods of practice, but all have the common goal of cultivating mindfulness to lead a more peaceful and compassionate life. For a beginner wanting to practice Buddhist meditation, it is important to find a good teacher who can guide you through the early stages of practice. Meditation is a process that requires practice, persistence and patience. You cannot expect results overnight. During the early stages of practice, a beginner may face several constraints or mental setbacks that cause them to become distracted or disillusioned and give up. This is where a good meditation teacher is extremely beneficial. A genuine teacher is a trusted person with good intentions who can provide guidance, supporting the practitioner through their meditation practice. Below is a basic guide on how to start meditating without a teacher.<\/p><p><br><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>Do not hold onto thoughts as they arise, just let them go.&nbsp; Rest the mind in the present moment, allowing thoughts and sensations to pass, noting them without becoming attached to them.&nbsp; Meditation is not a competitive sport and it should not be forced; it is a process of letting go of the thoughts, feelings and emotions that flow through our minds.&nbsp;In the early stages, the quality and frequency of meditation is more important than the quantity.&nbsp; In other words, it\u2019s better to have a few short but relaxed sessions of five or ten minutes than to force a 60-minute session each morning.<\/p><p><br><\/p>\n<p>The object (or focus) of your meditation can be your breath, a natural garden scene, a sound, or a wish for others to be well and happy. You can even send compassionate thoughts towards someone you love.&nbsp; Since distractions are inevitable while meditating, even they can be used as objects of meditation, e.g. a particular thought, a sound or a physical sensation can be used to focus the mind with non-judgmental awareness.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1957b08 elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"1957b08\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\" data-e-bg-lazyload=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8964943\" data-id=\"8964943\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fa9e9e7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fa9e9e7\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e7a5faa\" data-id=\"e7a5faa\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16f55c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"16f55c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">You may also like<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-060dabe elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"060dabe\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-39faa85\" data-id=\"39faa85\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a526793 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a526793\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"222\" height=\"222\" src=\"https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/tqb-222x222.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-4251\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/tqb-222x222.jpg 222w, https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/tqb-222x222-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/tqb-222x222-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 222px) 100vw, 222px\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;max-width:222px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dec2aa8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dec2aa8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Buddhism in Australia<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f09abd3 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"f09abd3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"http:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/buddhism-in-australia\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-right\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-long-arrow-alt-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M313.941 216H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v56c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h301.941v46.059c0 21.382 25.851 32.09 40.971 16.971l86.059-86.059c9.373-9.373 9.373-24.569 0-33.941l-86.059-86.059c-15.119-15.119-40.971-4.411-40.971 16.971V216z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">LEARN MORE<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-f9665f5\" data-id=\"f9665f5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf1ec58 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"cf1ec58\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"222\" height=\"222\" src=\"https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Buddhist-Festival-Dates4.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4364\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Buddhist-Festival-Dates4.jpg 222w, https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Buddhist-Festival-Dates4-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Buddhist-Festival-Dates4-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 222px) 100vw, 222px\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;max-width:222px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48a1eaf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"48a1eaf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Buddhist\nFestival Dates<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c94bf69 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"c94bf69\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"http:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/buddhist-festival-dates\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-right\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-long-arrow-alt-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M313.941 216H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v56c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h301.941v46.059c0 21.382 25.851 32.09 40.971 16.971l86.059-86.059c9.373-9.373 9.373-24.569 0-33.941l-86.059-86.059c-15.119-15.119-40.971-4.411-40.971 16.971V216z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">LEARN MORE<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-da3d7ab\" data-id=\"da3d7ab\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82d3ff2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"82d3ff2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"222\" height=\"222\" src=\"https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/IMG_7917-222x222.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4222\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/IMG_7917-222x222.jpg 222w, https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/IMG_7917-222x222-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/IMG_7917-222x222-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 222px) 100vw, 222px\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;max-width:222px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-61e83a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"61e83a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Useful\nlinks & downloads<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-287aaf9 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"287aaf9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"http:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/useful-links-downloads\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-right\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-long-arrow-alt-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M313.941 216H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v56c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h301.941v46.059c0 21.382 25.851 32.09 40.971 16.971l86.059-86.059c9.373-9.373 9.373-24.569 0-33.941l-86.059-86.059c-15.119-15.119-40.971-4.411-40.971 16.971V216z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">LEARN MORE<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f97dc38 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f97dc38\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-186d379\" data-id=\"186d379\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ba010c elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"4ba010c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New to buddhism Siddhartha Gautama was born into a royal family in the area around Northern India that is currently Southern Nepal, in 563 BCE. At the age of 29, Siddhartha realised that wealth and luxury did not guarantee happiness, so he explored the different teachings, religions and philosophies of the day, to find the&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.oldsite.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/new-to-buddhism\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">New To Buddhism<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>New To Buddhism | Buddhist Council of NSW<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"New To Buddhism | Buddhist Council of NSW\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"New to buddhism Siddhartha Gautama was born into a royal family in the area around Northern India that is currently Southern Nepal, in 563 BCE. At the age of 29, Siddhartha realised that wealth and luxury did not guarantee happiness, so he explored the different teachings, religions and philosophies of the day, to find the&hellip; Continue reading New To Buddhism\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/new-to-buddhism\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Buddhist Council of NSW\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BuddhistConnection\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-05-19T00:05:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/NEW-TO-BUDDHISM.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/new-to-buddhism\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/new-to-buddhism\/\",\"name\":\"New To Buddhism | Buddhist Council of NSW\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2021-04-19T05:47:49+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-05-19T00:05:19+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/new-to-buddhism\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/new-to-buddhism\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/new-to-buddhism\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"New To Buddhism\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/\",\"name\":\"Buddhist Council of NSW\",\"description\":\"Working for the Buddhist Community\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Buddhist Council of New South Wales\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/BCNSW-No-Text-Logo-500x500-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/BCNSW-No-Text-Logo-500x500-1.png\",\"width\":500,\"height\":500,\"caption\":\"Buddhist Council of New South Wales\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.buddhistcouncil.org\/old\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BuddhistConnection\",\"https:\/\/instagram.com\/buddhistcouncilofnsw\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCUuKWb26uzUDwHeZKeJhI2w\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"New To Buddhism | Buddhist Council of NSW","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"New To Buddhism | Buddhist Council of NSW","og_description":"New to buddhism Siddhartha Gautama was born into a royal family in the area around Northern India that is currently Southern Nepal, in 563 BCE. 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