I Spent Seven Days as a Buddhist

Our world is made up of so many different philosophies, and they’re what shape us as people; our values, morals, beliefs and actions. So, I’m going to try out every religion in the world.

That’s my mission. Each week, I’ll research a new religion and live by their rules, practices and customs for seven days. I’ll share what I learned, what I loved, and what I’ll be leaving behind. Because I believe a well-rounded person is made up of many different stories and lessons.

This week I stepped into the world of Buddhism. What struck me most was how internal everything felt. There were no grand expectations to change my life—but rather, an invitation to change the way I saw it.

Before I get into my experience, let’s look at where it all began.

A Brief History of Buddhism

Buddhism began over 2,500 years ago in India with Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as the Buddha- or “the Enlightened One.” Born into royalty, he left his privileged life to understand the roots of human suffering. After years of meditation and spiritual seeking, he found the answer under the Bodhi tree: suffering comes from attachment.

Rather than worshipping a single God (like Christianity), Buddhism focuses on self-awareness, compassion, and liberation from suffering. Some schools of thought include gods or celestial beings, but they are not creators, and they’re not central. The goal is not to worship, but to awaken.

My Week as a Buddhist

Here’s what I committed to:

• Eating a vegetarian diet

• Daily meditation

• Avoiding gossip and idle talk

• Practicing mindfulness in everyday actions

• Studying Buddhist texts and philosophy

• Reflecting on karma and the interconnectedness of life

• Letting go of attachment

• Being present

Observations

The Practice: I didn’t overhaul my life this week. I still went to work. I still texted friends. But I watched myself doing it all differently. A sunrise felt brighter. The sound of birds outside my window felt louder. I noticed the way love hearts had been etched from dust onto someones car window. Nothing had changed, except my attention.

Meditation: It’s hard to sit still and just be. But also? It’s a relief. Just breathing without trying to be “better” or “productive.” I learned that peace doesn’t come from control, it comes from letting go.

Money + Teachings: One thing I didn’t expect: how expensive some Buddhist courses and temples were. In a world where so many religious spaces focus on sharing the word freely, it felt a little jarring to see healing offered with a price tag. I understand the need for donations, upkeep, and exchange, but it did contrast with the message of detachment and non-materialism.

The Tour: At a temple I visited, I learned that the Dalai Lama had visited there back in 2000. They shared a beautiful story: when they tried to give him money, he refused it and said, “Buy the tanga (spiritual writings) instead.” Their spiritual teacher passed away 11 years ago, and now, they believe he has been reincarnated as a young boy in Bhutan, identified by the Dalai Lama himself.

What I’ll Be Taking With Me

Finding peace in the simple moments.This week reminded me that I don’t need to escape my life to find peace, I just need to meet it with more love, more attention, and less resistance. I’ll carry that with me. The beauty is already here. I just needed to look.

What I’ll Be Leaving Behind

Spiritual elitism via cost. I completely respect the value of ancient wisdom and tradition, but I struggled with the accessibility of some Buddhist experiences. Charging high fees to learn how to let go of attachment felt a little contradictory. Enlightenment shouldn’t come with a price tag.