user10303: How do I get started on my journey to become Buddhist? I'm familiar with the basics and really connect with the teachings I know of so far on a personal level. I need some guidance as to what I should do now...

user10304: I would suggest you to take one or two sutras to read yourself first. The Buddhas said his life merges into the sutras. It's the purest way to get your first hand understanding, before joining or listening to any school anyone. Since opinions and viewpoints are flooding thanks for the advance of medias, the purity of the Dharma and a good teacher is not easy to find. To begin with, Heart Sutra, Jakata although some said it's stories (made up by others). Personally I like to read Lotus Sutra, Surangama Sutra, Diamond Sutra (very difficult to understand), Vimalakirti Sutra, Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment, Lankavatara Sutra, I may begin Dhamapada which I read few lines, seemed like a very easy beginner text but dived into the meanings underneath the words one will get the nectar. I found that reading the original text is far easier since the great men's minds had infused into their words. Translations, explanations, elaborations etc. don't always make them simpler, unless necessary. Here "original text" I mean Classical Chinese, unfortunately I haven't learnt Sanskrit yet.      

user4753: Start with a Vipassana retreat. Buddha sates clearly that the goal is the attainment of Nibbana by the practice of Vipassana.
I am fan of Thai-style (Ajahn Tong) Mahasi tradition (don't worry if this means nothing to you), they do a 3-week "basic course" which is suitable even for people who never meditated before. Something like that will give you a good taste how meditation makes you a better person and will build up your confidence (in the practice and in your ability to meditate), something books will never give you.
Good luck!

user-1: Let's deconstruct what you are saying.  You find the teachings resonating with you.  You feel you've got a handle on the basics.  It would seem like you've got some faith in the Buddha and you are beginning to feel the pull of the dharma.  Well, what's missing?  The next step for you is to find a sangha!  
I cannot overstate the importance of a community when it comes to your practice. It really keeps you honest about your progress.  There is a major tendency for people to live their Buddhism in their heads.  While sutra study and meditation are both extremely important, neither is worth a damn unless you can integrate those practices with those around you.  Enlightenment doesn't happen in a vacuum located somewhere between your right and left ear.  It happens in the world and in your relationships with others.  The sooner you can begin that integration, the better off you'll be.
In our digital age, we are pathologically cut off from others.  This is the exact opposite of what the Buddha taught.  Compassion, loving-kindness, and wisdom are hardest yet find their fullest expression face to face.  And as an aside, remember that the sangha isn't some thing out there that will always be waiting for you to join somewhere down the road.  YOU are the sangha.  Unless you participate in it, it doesn't exist.

user295: You approach should be pariyatti (learn), patipatti (practice) and pativedha (experience / validate)
To learn you can read. Perhaps a good starting point will be:

In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon (The Teachings of the Buddha) by Bhikkhu Bodhi
Sutta translations by Piya Tan.

Also you can find a course or teacher:

Vipassana (as taught by S.N. Goenka)
World Buddhist Directory


10303: <p>How do I get started on my journey to become Buddhist? I'm familiar with the basics and really connect with the teachings I know of so far on a personal level. I need some guidance as to what I should do now...</p>
 10304: <p>I would suggest you to take one or two sutras to read yourself first. The Buddhas said his life merges into the sutras. It's the purest way to get your first hand understanding, before joining or listening to any school anyone. Since opinions and viewpoints are flooding thanks for the advance of medias, the purity of the Dharma and a good teacher is not easy to find. To begin with, Heart Sutra, Jakata although some said it's stories (made up by others). Personally I like to read Lotus Sutra, Surangama Sutra, Diamond Sutra (very difficult to understand), Vimalakirti Sutra, Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment, Lankavatara Sutra, I may begin <a href="http://www.tipitaka.net/tipitaka/dhp/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Dhamapada</a> which I read few lines, seemed like a very easy beginner text but dived into the meanings underneath the words one will get the nectar. I found that reading the original text is far easier since the great men's minds had infused into their words. Translations, explanations, elaborations etc. don't always make them simpler, unless necessary. Here "original text" I mean Classical Chinese, unfortunately I haven't learnt Sanskrit yet.      </p>
 4753: <p>Start with a Vipassana retreat. Buddha sates clearly that the goal is the attainment of Nibbana by the practice of Vipassana.</p>

<p>I am fan of Thai-style (Ajahn Tong) Mahasi tradition (don't worry if this means nothing to you), they do a 3-week "basic course" which is suitable even for people who never meditated before. Something like that will give you a good taste how meditation makes you a better person and will build up your confidence (in the practice and in your ability to meditate), something books will never give you.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>
 -1: <p>Let's deconstruct what you are saying.  You find the teachings resonating with you.  You feel you've got a handle on the basics.  It would seem like you've got some faith in the Buddha and you are beginning to feel the pull of the dharma.  Well, what's missing?  The next step for you is to find a sangha!  </p>

<p>I cannot overstate the importance of a community when it comes to your practice. It really keeps you honest about your progress.  There is a major tendency for people to live their Buddhism in their heads.  While sutra study and meditation are both extremely important, neither is worth a damn unless you can integrate those practices with those around you.  Enlightenment doesn't happen in a vacuum located somewhere between your right and left ear.  It happens in the world and in your relationships with others.  The sooner you can begin that integration, the better off you'll be.</p>

<p>In our digital age, we are pathologically cut off from others.  This is the exact opposite of what the Buddha taught.  Compassion, loving-kindness, and wisdom are hardest yet find their fullest expression face to face.  And as an aside, remember that the sangha isn't some thing out there that will always be waiting for you to join somewhere down the road.  YOU are the sangha.  Unless you participate in it, it doesn't exist.</p>
 295: <p>You approach should be pariyatti (learn), patipatti (practice) and pativedha (experience / validate)</p>

<p>To learn you can read. Perhaps a good starting point will be:</p>

<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.pacificbuddha.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/In-the-Buddhas-Words.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon (The Teachings of the Buddha)</a> by Bhikkhu Bodhi</li>
<li><a href="http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Sutta translations</a> by Piya Tan.</li>
</ul>

<p>Also you can find a course or teacher:</p>

<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.dhamma.org/en/index" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Vipassana (as taught by S.N. Goenka)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.buddhanet.info/wbd/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">World Buddhist Directory</a></li>
</ul>
