[Beriilosal]

I am very new to Buddhism.

Be welcome Twinkie,

(1) Is Theravada a good first choice? The choice depends in which tradition resonates or fits better with you. The best is to attend the different traditions if they are available in your country. I used to practice Zen and changed to the Thai Forest Tradition. Both have been wonderful for me but I have found better the Thai Forest of the Theravada tradition.

Also, for me, it is enough to practice from the teachings that Gotama Buddha left in the Nikayas.

But, for example, Tibetan and the Mahayana philosophy do not fit well with me at all.

So my advice is that you have to explore all this by yourself until you feel at home in a given tradition.

(2) Did Buddha address the lay people much? Yes he did. But not only lay people. Most of his main teachings can be practiced by monks or by lay people.

(3) The raft story in the sticky. Does it mean even good ideas should not be held too long? Being very new to Buddhism, try to follow with joy and enthusiasm the teachings of Buddha and practice his "good" ideas so to develop wisdom, ethical conduct and peace for the mind. This practice, by itself, will bring you into that stage of understanding.

Don't jump from the raft prematurely.



May peace be with you.