I’ve been studying different religions and beliefs, and I’ve started to see a code of living that includes many parts of each religion. I’d love to go to a Buddhist temple or center and ask to join their practices to learn more. Do you think it’s a good idea to mention that I want to start my own religion? I’d really love to do that, but I don’t want to do anything wrong. Buddhism seems like the key for patience and mental strength. I respect their faith so much!
It certainly depends what sort of Buddhists we’re talking about to some extent. Do you know what school of Buddhism the folks in question follow? (Some brand of Zen? Something Theravada or Vajrayana?)
Not that I’m an expert on Buddhism or anything, but I did some lay study on Buddhism a few years back.
I will say that it is technically a core tenet of Buddhism that they don’t have a monopoly on enlightenment. If you do go in there talking about starting a religion, you at least have that going for you. And if I were to pick a religion where they’re most open to that, Buddhism would probably be pretty high on the list (again depending on the specific school to an extent.)
It might well be that if you do go in talking about starting a religion, they may get the feeling that you’re not serious about doing Buddhism. I don’t think they’d exclude you from regular practice or any events on that basis. But there might be things they would exclude you from. (Monasticism in particular, though it doesn’t sound like that’s what you’re going for anyway.)
What relevance does that have to you learning a religion?
Just go learn, there’s a million reasons someone would want to go learn. No need to add anything that can add confusion.