How To Practice Buddhism At Home? Beginners Guide

Last Updated: July 21, 2025

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I have been practicing Buddhism for six months now, and it has changed my life more than I expected. Today, I feel calmer, happier, and more disciplined in how I live each day.

When I started, I had no clue where to begin. But slowly, as I explored and practiced, I discovered the best way to start Buddhism in a way that truly worked for me.

So, in today’s guide, I’ll be sharing my personal journey and how to start practicing Buddhism the right way, from home, to experience the most benefit.

Why You Should Practice Buddhism?

Buddhism is one of the oldest religions, founded over 2,500 years ago, that teaches us how to live life free from pain and distress.

It was started by Siddhartha Gautama, who witnessed people struggling with sadness and mortality. He searched deeply for a way to end this suffering. After years of seeking, he discovered the path and called it Buddhism.

So, Buddhism is not just any religion; it is a way of living with kindness, peace, and wisdom. In fact, I began practicing it to ease my stress, worries, and emotional struggles. It became a helpful tool for managing difficult feelings like frustration and anger.

Since I started following Buddhist practices, I have become less reactive and more calm. Before, I used to get very upset with my mom and regret it a few hours later. But now, it has been months since I last showed my anger to anyone.

Among all the teachings and exercises in Buddhism, meditation stands out. Science also confirms that meditation reduces stress and boosts both mental and physical health.

If you want to learn more about Buddhism, check out our 'Facts About Buddhism' page, which will surely surprise you.

Core Teaching Of Buddhism

Before knowing how to practice Buddhism, you need to know about its core teachings to practice in the right way. These teachings are simple yet effective.

The Four Noble Truths

These teaching states the truth of life, and that includes.

1. Life includes suffering (we all feel pain, sadness and worry)
2. Suffering comes from higher wants and a craving for anything.
3. If you let the craving go, suffering can end.
4. There is a path to stop those suffering, and that is called the Eightfold Path.

The Noble Eightfold Path

These eight paths teach how to be happy and stop suffering. These are the most important teaching that everyone need to follow who wants to practice Buddhism.

1. Right View - Understand life clearly.
2. Right Intention - think kindly and honestly that is in favor of the earth, not only you.
3. Right Speech - speak truth politely and kindly.
4. Right Action - do the good things without harming others.
5. Right Livelihood - choose the work or make an everyday goal not to hurt any people or animals.
6. Right Effort - always work for the good deed, and stay positive/
7. Right Mindfulness - live in the present and know your body and thoughts properly.
8. Right concentration - while learning or doing anything, do it with full concentration. Meditation can help you with that.

These are the eight noble truths that everyone needs to follow to make this world a better place for everyone. If you want to know more about these truths, read our detailed, curated guide on the Eightfold Path of Buddha.

How to Practice Buddhism?

Practicing Buddhism starts with meditation, mindfulness, the 4 Noble Truths, 8-Fold Path, Buddhist books, precepts, and daily compassion.

Trust the Buddha, His Teachings, and the Community

The first step of following Buddhism is trusting in Buddhism from the heart. Think in your mind like "I follow and trust the Buddha, his teachings, and the people who practice Buddhism". This is called taking refuge in the Three Jewels of Buddhism.

2. Try to Live Kindly and Honestly

Second, and most important, steps involve living kindly and honestly without hurting any other animals or people. This involves five simple rules.

1. Don't hurt any people or animals.
2. Don't steal or take things that are not yours.
3. Be respectful to the person near you, including your love ones.
4. Don't lie.
5. Don't use things like alcohol or drugs that confuse your mind.

3. Practice Good Habits for Body, Mind, and Wisdom

Live daily with good manners and try to improve yourself daily. Buddhism teaches three basics and big skills. They are:

1. Sīla (ethics): Be kind and honest.
2. Samādhi (focus): Practice meditation to calm the mind.
3. Paññā (wisdom): Understand life deeply.

4. Study Good Buddhist Teachings

Start reading the Buddhism religious and teaching books like Mindfulness in Plain English, The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching, and Waking Up by Sam Harris.

5. Start Meditating

Last but not least, start meditating. This is one of my favourite steps. After doing meditation, you can see yourself too quickly. Keep in mind meditating is not hard and you don't need to sit for hours, you can start meditating just 5 minutes a day, and that will keep you relaxed and at peace of mind.

Best Ways To Meditate

As I mentioned earlier, meditation is the most important step of Buddhism that gives you high and noticeable changes in your body, behaviour and thought. So, how to meditate? Well, worry not, meditating is too easy, you need to take care of a few simple tips, and you can achieve the full benefits of meditation.

1. Watch Your Thoughts (Vipassana)

Sit in a peace place, close your eyes and breathe slowly. And let your thoughts come and go like clouds, don't follow them, notice and let them pass gently.

2. Focus on Your Breath (Samatha)

Next, focus on your breath. Feel the air that moves in and out, feel the air that is passing through your whole body, try to feel the heart pumping blood to different parts.

3. Send Love and Kindness (Metta)

Think calmly and say, 'May I be happy, May others be happy'. Think of the people you love and send them wishes from the bottom of your heart.

4. Walk Mindfully (Walking Meditation)

You can do meditation by walking in peace and quiet place. Start walking slowly and feel your feet touching your ground. Plus, you can even do this by meditating while sitting, think of like you are in peace forest, and try to feel the cool air passing through the leaves, and the sound of the birds and the air.

5. Repeat Peaceful Words (Chanting / Mantra)

Next is to repeat the words like "OM" and "Peace" slowly in your mind to be more focused and relax your body and mind.

Bring Buddhism Into Daily Life

Yes, meditation is a powerful tool of Buddhism, but Buddhism is not all about sitting, closing your eyes in a peace place. It is about living each moment of your life happily and kindly. Bring Buddhism to your daily life.

When doing any work, do it gently. Like simple things, eating, walking or washing dishes, do it gently. Bring the peace and try to stay in the present.

Plus, if you have kids, try to sit them with you while doing meditation, and share the stories of the Buddha with them. And start your every morning with the aim to live the day with kind and peace without harming others, and teach the same to your child.

Yes, sometimes I still get anger, but just after I close my eyes and fight with the anger. Try to keep my mind in a peaceful state and say that anger cannot take over me and start feeling the breathe, and done, this brings me back to the present, and peace state.

Final Thoughts

You don't need to sacrifice everything and not need to change your whole life to practice Buddhism. You just need to take a small step towards positivity every day. Buddhism is not about being perfect, it is about being honest, kind and living in the present.

Hope you will start practicing Buddhism from today and now. Best of luck on your journey. Keep in mind, it is never too late to take steps towards a good deed.

FAQs

Q1. Can you practice Buddhism on your own?

Yes, you can start practising on your own from your home by starting meditation, reading Buddhist books and following the Buddhist regulations.

Q2. What are the five precepts of Buddhism?

The five precepts of Buddhism include don't kill, don't steal, don't lie, don't cheat on relationships, and don't use drugs or alcohol, which divert your mind.

Q3. What should I avoid when practising Buddhism?

Don't practice forcefully and don't expect instant peace. Plus, follow the above five precepts of Buddhism and don't compare your journey with others.

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