I am married to a buddhist (theravarda) and my kids and in laws are buddhists. I must say I find it a very welcoming and tempting way of life.
I lived on SEA for a while when in my late teens/early twenties and amongst budhists and knew a few monks (my brother in law became one for a year) and think it helped me grow into a better person.
You don't have to be a veggie btw unless you are a novice or a monk, but I got a bollocking from me mother in law for killing mozzies in a temple once (fine outside but temples were sacred).
I also liked that no one in my time there tried to convert me, it was my choice to stay a catholic/atheist or not, I wasn't asinner or dammed for not following the path, each to their own was their opinion.