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!
Where to start?!
- Marcus Epicurus
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- Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2010 5:52 am
Re: Where to start?!
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.
I think it is a great place to start and has gotten very good reviews, and it is easy to read and understand.
- Wizard in the Forest
- Posts: 699
- Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2010 8:16 am
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Re: Where to start?!
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;
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
Re: Where to start?!
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
THE BUDDHA AND HIS TEACHINGS by Venerable Nārada Mahāthera
Another one: What Buddhists Believe by the late Ven Dr K Sri Dhammananda Maha Thera
Re: Where to start?!
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).
Kim
Kim
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- Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2010 12:48 pm
Re: Where to start?!
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!
Thanks again!
Re: Where to start?!
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/
http://www.insightmeditationcenter.org/ ... e-at-hand/
And the Access To Insight website has more information than I can manage.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/
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Re: Where to start?!
It is so nice to see three threads of this nature in the Discovering Theravada forum.
- Bonsai Doug
- Posts: 72
- Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:59 pm
- Location: Finger Lakes area of NY
Re: Where to start?!
Agree. Available as a small paperback book you can carry with you and reference often throughout the day.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).
Kim
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
I do not have the luxury of remaining on a distracted path.
~ Tibetan Book of the Dead
- Wizard in the Forest
- Posts: 699
- Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2010 8:16 am
- Location: House in Forest of Illusions
Re: Where to start?!
http://www.wildmind.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Has a good Anapanasati Meditation and also Metta Bhvana.
Has a good Anapanasati Meditation and also Metta Bhvana.
"One is not born a woman, but becomes one."- Simone de Beauvoir
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- Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2010 4:05 am
Re: Where to start?!
IMHO 'In the Buddha's Words' by Bhikkhu Bodhi is the best introductory material for a beginner.
- Bonsai Doug
- Posts: 72
- Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:59 pm
- Location: Finger Lakes area of NY
Re: Where to start?!
I'm about half way through this work, and I too agree with the recommendation.imaginos wrote:IMHO 'In the Buddha's Words' by Bhikkhu Bodhi is the best introductory material for a beginner.
Now having obtained a precious human body,
I do not have the luxury of remaining on a distracted path.
~ Tibetan Book of the Dead
I do not have the luxury of remaining on a distracted path.
~ Tibetan Book of the Dead
- Wizard in the Forest
- Posts: 699
- Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2010 8:16 am
- Location: House in Forest of Illusions
Re: Where to start?!
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
Re: Where to start?!
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.imaginos wrote:IMHO 'In the Buddha's Words' by Bhikkhu Bodhi is the best introductory material for a beginner.
YMMV, of course.
Kim
Re: Where to start?!
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;
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;