Can I practice ascetic practices? It's hard to decide on a denomination.

You can practice ascetic practices even if you are not a monk.
The role of monks includes passing on teachings to the next generation, spreading them to more people, and maintaining and managing temples.
However, when it comes to practicing one's own ascetic practices, you can do it without being a monk.
If you're worried about your health, it may be tough to become a monk.
However, even without becoming a monk, it is possible to learn teachings, believe in Buddha, and practice.
For example, there is an explanation of meditation on the Japan Terawada Buddhist Association website for basic Buddhist practices.
For those who think basic Buddhist practices such as meditation are difficult, there are also easy salvation teachings such as the Jodo sect and the Jodo Shinshu.
Also, it's a good idea to visit a familiar temple event where your ancestors are indebted to you and listen to the chief priest's story.

Is it necessary to decide on a denomination from the beginning? Also, being a monk isn't a requirement for practicing ascetic practices, is it? So, “Why don't you go to various dojos as appropriate and find an ascetic practice that suits you?” That's where I want to say that. However, currently, there are few places that offer places to experience ascetic practices, so it's a pity that I can't say that...
By the way, I'm really sorry to hear that from Gada Hikimizu, but our dojo offers training experiences. So, if you have a relationship, I think it would be a good idea to try it once. If you search for it, it might come up.
Rather than choosing one's own training, I think it's something you get through relationships. I felt like you, and I really support you, really. I'm praying that you will have a good relationship with your ascetic practices.

Nice to meet you, Lotus-universe.

It seems that they are hesitating to become a monk due to the severity of the ascetic practice, but I don't think it's necessary to become a monk.

What's more, you're already practicing ascetic practices, aren't you?
The difficulty of living is also an ascetic practice.

It's natural that it's unclear what you can't overcome.
If it were clear, they would be doing something to surpass it.

If you want to know what it is, it's essential to calm your mind first.

Try meditating in a quiet time
Like trying to quietly copy the sutras
Like just trying to recite the sutras

There are many ways.

You can meditate anywhere, and sutras sheets are sold in sets at stationery stores.
You can recite sutras if you have a sutra book, so it's a good idea to ask for it at a Buddhist altar shop or nearby temple.
Recently, there are also CDs and cassette tapes.

First, I think it's a good idea to try typing in something yourself or talk to a nearby temple.

It's not that I have to do ascetic practices because I became a monk
He aspired to practice Buddhism, so he became a priest.

The order was reversed, wasn't it?

Below are examples of misunderstanding of ascetic practices and bad practitioners.
◎ 3 months for pilgrims. Come back and have a fight with the couple.
What was the ascetic practice for?
I stare at my hands. (-_-;)

◎ After 10 years of zazen, I'm still swayed by my own emotions.
What was zazen meditation for?
I stare at my hands. (-_-;)

Nembutsu 30,000 times.
As always, I'm not on good terms with my family.
What is Nembutsu for?
I stare at my hands. (-_-;)

There are people like this, regardless of monks and customs.
Pilgrimages, zazen, nembutsu, and meditation are not years or number of times.

It's about looking at what the “heart” is like in that line.
Buddhist practice, which is not separated from thought and sensibility, is simply cosplay, no matter how you look at it.
There is no salvation if you don't show your “selfless heart” in your daily life through nembutsu, zazen, and pilgrimages.
Even if you practice Buddhism, it won't save you while you're looking for it on top of your mind.
It's just an extension of myself, so no matter how much I intend to practice at the Buddhist training dojo or head temple, ❝ I'm not even doing ascetic practice ❞. This is because I'm just thinking and doing myself while doing ascetic practices,

Are you tired of thinking?
If no matter what you do, it becomes an ascetic practice, then that quality is important,
It doesn't matter if it's tough. Boxers and members of the Self-Defense Forces are much tougher than Buddhism.

It's not enough to say it once, and it's not enough to say it a thousand times.
Nembutsu, zazen, pilgrimage, and waterfall training don't end the ascetic practice by doing that.
Daily life after finishing that trip is important.

Even if you are complacent by doing something typical of Buddhism only in that line, it won't help you in any way, as described above, in everyday life's usefulness, bitterness, bitterness, and agony.
This is because many ascetics and monks have misunderstood the direction of ascetic practices.
Is it really an ascetic practice that saves people from life, old age, illness, and death? The quality of the training is being questioned.
If you destroy yourself through walking meditation, eating meditation, and sitting meditation and live with a “meditated heart,” there is no change that you are doing ascetic practices no matter where you are.

Lotus-universe

This is Kawaguchi Hidetoshi. This is my humble answer to the question.

As the Buddhist theory is said to be the 84,000 Dharma, there are many teachings. The reason why so many teachings were preached is that Shakyamuni was preached to skillfully lead to enlightenment according to the opponent's root (ability/qualities to move towards enlightenment) (good, clever, and convenient).

Simply, you can think that they were explained to each person individually, or that they were explained how to deal with each of the 84,000 afflictions.

Well, you can think that some degree of common denominator of these teachings is organized as something for each denomination, but when it comes to exactly which teachings suit you, I think it is necessary to add something about each to some extent.

However, it takes a huge amount of time and effort to read all the Buddhist scriptures and treatises, etc., so I think it would be good if you first learn from introductory books and reference books that give you an overview of Buddhist thought in its entirety.

Also, if you eventually come across something you want to learn and master in earnest, I think it would be nice to be asked for that mentor and seek guidance.

I wonder if it is possible to become an official disciple and walk the Buddhist path even when staying at home, receiving teachings, etc. If you want to become a monk, you will need to practice in a place that is somewhat specialized, but if not, you won't be able to practice ascetic practices even if you stay at home, so don't worry about that.

Anyway, whether at home or as a monk, what is important in practicing Buddhism is the “Bodhi Heart” (a heart that wants to seek enlightenment to save all things). First, it is necessary to firmly establish a “Bodhi Heart,” surrender to the Three Treasures, and then accumulate the dual resources of “wisdom (understanding of the sky) and blessings (practice of convenience and merit).”

Also, there is no need to force yourself to stick to the forms of ascetic practice (zazen, meditation, water goma, nembutsu, samurai...). Even in everyday life, sitting, and lying, it is important to proceed in a well-balanced (middle path) within a reasonable range of both mind and body.

By all means, let's work hard together and continue to work hard on the path of Buddhism.

Kawaguchi Hidetoshi Gassho