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**mr.calisto** · 07-15-2011, 01:13 AM

Aloka recommendation (at #3) "Handbook for Mankind" is a good one so to start and taste Theravada approach to the issue of Buddhism.

The teachings of the historical Buddha are neither a religion, or a believe nor requires the believe in any sort of deity, redeemer, God, Goddess or any sort of supernatural entity. When I am asked about what is "Buddhism" I frequently tell that I don't really know because it has become a lot of different things. What is for sure is that the teachings of the historical Buddha are about Dukkha (stress; unsatisfactoriness) and the way that leads to its cessation.

In Buddha's words:

"Therefore your duty is the contemplation, 'This is stress... This is the origination of stress... This is the cessation of stress.' Your duty is the contemplation, 'This is the path of practice leading to the cessation of stress.'"

Simsapa Sutta.

07-15-2011, 01:13 AM	#6
mr.calisto Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 413 Senior Member	Aloka recommendation (at #3) "Handbook for Mankind" is a good one so to start and taste Theravada approach to the issue of Buddhism. The teachings of the historical Buddha are neither a religion, or a believe nor requires the believe in any sort of deity, redeemer, God, Goddess or any sort of supernatural entity. When I am asked about what is "Buddhism" I frequently tell that I don't really know because it has become a lot of different things. What is for sure is that the teachings of the historical Buddha are about Dukkha (stress; unsatisfactoriness) and the way that leads to its cessation. In Buddha's words: "Therefore your duty is the contemplation, 'This is stress... This is the origination of stress... This is the cessation of stress.' Your duty is the contemplation, 'This is the path of practice leading to the cessation of stress.'" Simsapa Sutta.
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