Where to start?!

A forum for beginners and members of other Buddhist traditions to ask questions about Theravāda (The Way of the Elders). Responses require moderator approval before they are visible in order to double-check alignment to Theravāda orthodoxy.
Post Reply
mettatrader
Posts: 8
Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2010 12:48 pm

Where to start?!

Post by mettatrader »

Hello there!

I have read the "Introductory Resources" post which is excellent for a beginner like me! I have also looked at the Buddhanet e-library, which again as many, many books to choose from!

The only thing is there is just too much information (not that I am complaining!)

Of all the resources listed, which would be the most useful for a beginner to study, and which have been best reviewed and most enjoyed?

Thanks for your Guidance!
User avatar
Marcus Epicurus
Posts: 15
Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2010 5:52 am

Re: Where to start?!

Post by Marcus Epicurus »

May I suggest reading the book, "What The Buddha Taught" by Walpola Rahula.
I think it is a great place to start and has gotten very good reviews, and it is easy to read and understand.
User avatar
Wizard in the Forest
Posts: 699
Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2010 8:16 am
Location: House in Forest of Illusions

Re: Where to start?!

Post by Wizard in the Forest »

That's actually a really good one. I think also another good one is "Buddhism in a Nutshell"

http://www.buddhanet.net/nutshell.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"One is not born a woman, but becomes one."- Simone de Beauvoir
plwk
Posts: 1462
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 5:14 am

Re: Where to start?!

Post by plwk »

If you like a typical 'catechism' styled, topical and structured chapters...here's one:
THE BUDDHA AND HIS TEACHINGS by Venerable Nārada Mahāthera
Another one: What Buddhists Believe by the late Ven Dr K Sri Dhammananda Maha Thera
User avatar
Kim OHara
Posts: 5584
Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2009 5:47 am
Location: North Queensland, Australia

Re: Where to start?!

Post by Kim OHara »

Or you could go for (IMO) the simplest presentation of original teachings, the Dhammapada http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .budd.html (the alternate translation linked at the top of the page is just as good but more poetic - take your pick).
:namaste:
Kim
mettatrader
Posts: 8
Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2010 12:48 pm

Re: Where to start?!

Post by mettatrader »

Thanks for the pointers! I have just completed "Buddhism in a Nutshell" and it's a very nice easily readable book. I will probably move onto "What the Buddha Taught" next. I find everything I have read so far very interesting!

Thanks again!
User avatar
andre9999
Posts: 465
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2010 3:04 pm
Location: Milwaukee, WI, US
Contact:

Re: Where to start?!

Post by andre9999 »

As far as free stuff goes, I've been on and off reading through The Issue At Hand:
http://www.insightmeditationcenter.org/ ... e-at-hand/

And the Access To Insight website has more information than I can manage. :)
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/
Individual
Posts: 1970
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 2:19 am

Re: Where to start?!

Post by Individual »

It is so nice to see three threads of this nature in the Discovering Theravada forum. :namaste:
The best things in life aren't things.

The Diamond Sutra
User avatar
Bonsai Doug
Posts: 72
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:59 pm
Location: Finger Lakes area of NY

Re: Where to start?!

Post by Bonsai Doug »

Kim O'Hara wrote:Or you could go for (IMO) the simplest presentation of original teachings, the Dhammapada http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .budd.html (the alternate translation linked at the top of the page is just as good but more poetic - take your pick).
:namaste:
Kim
Agree. Available as a small paperback book you can carry with you and reference often throughout the day.

I carry the Gil Fronsdal translation, and find his annotations throughout the book to be very helpful.
Now having obtained a precious human body,
I do not have the luxury of remaining on a distracted path.

~ Tibetan Book of the Dead
User avatar
Wizard in the Forest
Posts: 699
Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2010 8:16 am
Location: House in Forest of Illusions

Re: Where to start?!

Post by Wizard in the Forest »

http://www.wildmind.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Has a good Anapanasati Meditation and also Metta Bhvana.
"One is not born a woman, but becomes one."- Simone de Beauvoir
nobody12345
Posts: 196
Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2010 4:05 am

Re: Where to start?!

Post by nobody12345 »

IMHO 'In the Buddha's Words' by Bhikkhu Bodhi is the best introductory material for a beginner.
User avatar
Bonsai Doug
Posts: 72
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:59 pm
Location: Finger Lakes area of NY

Re: Where to start?!

Post by Bonsai Doug »

imaginos wrote:IMHO 'In the Buddha's Words' by Bhikkhu Bodhi is the best introductory material for a beginner.
I'm about half way through this work, and I too agree with the recommendation.
Now having obtained a precious human body,
I do not have the luxury of remaining on a distracted path.

~ Tibetan Book of the Dead
User avatar
Wizard in the Forest
Posts: 699
Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2010 8:16 am
Location: House in Forest of Illusions

Re: Where to start?!

Post by Wizard in the Forest »

Read that a few years ago. I should read it again and see what I remember... (^^);;;;
"One is not born a woman, but becomes one."- Simone de Beauvoir
User avatar
Kim OHara
Posts: 5584
Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2009 5:47 am
Location: North Queensland, Australia

Re: Where to start?!

Post by Kim OHara »

imaginos wrote:IMHO 'In the Buddha's Words' by Bhikkhu Bodhi is the best introductory material for a beginner.
It's really good, but it's not my top pick for beginners just because it's so long - there's so much material there that it's easy to get bogged down.
YMMV, of course.
:namaste:
Kim
User avatar
Nibbida
Posts: 466
Joined: Sat May 02, 2009 3:44 am

Re: Where to start?!

Post by Nibbida »

My preference wouldbe to start with Bhante Henepola Gunaratana's Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness: Walking the Buddha's Path.

http://www.amazon.com/Eight-Mindful-Ste ... 0861711769" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

What the Buddha Taught is also a good choice and a classic place to start, but it's more dense reading. Gunaratana very skillfully expresses the Eightfold Path in contemporary terms, which would make reading other books like What the Buddha Taught or Bhikku Bodhi's Noble Eightfold Path more accessible.

[Edit]
From both a general practice and meditation point of view, Gil Fronsdals The Issue at Hand is very good, and a very accessible book (and free).

http://www.insightmeditationcenter.org/ ... e-at-hand/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Post Reply