[Q&A] How does one become a lay "Buddhist", follower? Are there different ways?

here are no various kinds of becoming a follower of the Buddha, householder MatthewMartin.

By going for refuge, seeking refuge on it, toward the Sublime Buddha, the sublime Dhamma, and the Sangha of Bhikkhus, one becomes a "Buddhist", Upasaka, Upasika (householder having the Gems as his/her refuge) or more if asking for leaving home under the Tripple Gems (the second might not for all accessible, give-able).

The become a follower of the Buddha, Upasaka, Upasika, it requires to perceive the real Buddha, to perceive his good Dhamma, to perceive his straight following Sangha, and to for refuge in them, declaring it by body, signs and thought possible best toward the carrier of his heritage.

What ever else refuge, either wrong perceived or incomplete can not be seen as the entrance of Upasaka-ship.

If going outwardly for refuge toward "fake" Gems, as long as perceived as proper and no doubt, there would be no problem.

If having gone to refuge to the Tripple Gems and having doubt later, it's good to take anew refuge toward proper objects. If one has the wrong refuge taken the Sangha might be not so able to guide toward right refuge.

If having gone to refuge toward the right Tripple Gems outwardly but still perceiving them in wrong ways, the refuge as been taken correct to that extant and the Sangha would be more able to help to derive also to correct understanding.

It's worthy to note that, in cases where one has not reached the stream yet (having gained firm confidence, no more relaying on something outwardly the Tripple Gems), as soon as this refuge has gone broken by relaying on something else, it should be renewed since it is not secure, not firm, at this stage. This being the reason, Lay-Buddhaparisata as well monks are eager to renew this refuge min. weekly of on full and half moon days, requesting it anew from the Sangha of monks, after having asked for forgiveness for fault toward the Tripple Gems.

This is in as far an important aspect because without refuge into the Gems there is no protection by the Gems for one and one is open to do a lot of unskillful deeds.

Taking refuge, better asking for refuge, is always better and more secure gained if in relation to the community of the Buddhas homeless disciples.

Note that the taking on of precepts and also declare such toward the Sangha might not only be a additional possibility for the Sangha to guide one, but also make one not only to "just" follower but to a virtuous (good) follower with more chances to gain much benefit form this undertaking.

Although there are certain formal ceremonies, rituals, practiced, they are not necessary required and monks would guide one to make it in best ways after being asked to to so, which is good to declare in a devoted manner and announcing three times. One then only needs to follow the advice, speak following them, and good Sanghas pronounce the refuge formula in two ways, so that it would fit also to Vinaya measures.

General on the problem of wrong perceiving, see also: What's the safe bet, the secure practice, to gain relation toward the right refuge?.

Question to you, Guest, or who ever inspired to give into:

Ven. and good Buddha-Parisata, Interested,

given that lack of relation to the right perception of the Tripple Gems, recognition of integrity, is impossible for ordinary people, yet right refuge, right relation being a prerequisite for path and awakening, what is the best bet, the best kind of practice, to match the feeding of the right relation?

And to make it more visible: What is the most worse one could practise, if not sure being already related or not?

Whom toward giving into for matching the feed of relation till seen clear by one self, firm faith?

[Bounty-Note: right answer will be self-rewarded with stream entry within this existance]

Mudita