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**Fsfkkkjz** · 06-23-2011, 11:53 PM

Thank you Kaarine….I’ve downloaded ‘The Handbook for Mankind’ and will make a start on it this evening. I like the way its written, just like an ordinary book in layout. To be honest, I don’t really enjoy reading the suttas much - I feel they are so long and repetitive!!

Maybe once I’ve got through a few good basic books on Buddhism, outlining the Buddha’s teachings, then I can progress onto reading the suttas. Do you really need to read them, or will reading other books that contain his teachings suffice?

But I have approached the teachings of the historical Buddha alone and coming to this forum to learn and participate about them. Here are members that have a good understanding of them with which you can learn about.

Yes, its a great place to learn and ask questions, and also to get lots of encouragement and guidance.

A kind of certainty was born in my heart. A kind of confidence that I never felt when I was entangled with other teachings and other teachers. Yes, like you, I feel Buddhism just sits right with me, and I’ve always felt that. Although I enjoyed going along to the Buddhist Centre for meditation years ago, and I read a couple of introductory books on Buddhism at the time, I found all the talk about ‘suffering’ really depressing and it put me off exploring it further! I wasn’t ready to face up to reality and accept that you have to think about these unpleasant truths in life in order to overcome the fear of them. I suppose that’s why I was trying to find a belief in a God that would ‘look after you’. Big Daddy in the sky!!!

Also I think that to go through the Pali teachings, the guidance offered by many of the Thai Forest Tradition teachers is just great. But the very best teacher is the Buddha. Yes, I looked up what the 'Thai Forest Tradition' meant and see its teaching close to the historical Buddha and focuses more on the meditation and practice which is good.

I watched 'Life of the Buddha' which was showing on Google earlier today. TheLetterL mentioned it in his/her posting....it was very, very good.

06-23-2011, 11:53 PM	#10
Fsfkkkjz Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 443 Senior Member	Thank you Kaarine….I’ve downloaded ‘The Handbook for Mankind’ and will make a start on it this evening. I like the way its written, just like an ordinary book in layout. To be honest, I don’t really enjoy reading the suttas much - I feel they are so long and repetitive!! Maybe once I’ve got through a few good basic books on Buddhism, outlining the Buddha’s teachings, then I can progress onto reading the suttas. Do you really need to read them, or will reading other books that contain his teachings suffice? But I have approached the teachings of the historical Buddha alone and coming to this forum to learn and participate about them. Here are members that have a good understanding of them with which you can learn about. Yes, its a great place to learn and ask questions, and also to get lots of encouragement and guidance. A kind of certainty was born in my heart. A kind of confidence that I never felt when I was entangled with other teachings and other teachers. Yes, like you, I feel Buddhism just sits right with me, and I’ve always felt that. Although I enjoyed going along to the Buddhist Centre for meditation years ago, and I read a couple of introductory books on Buddhism at the time, I found all the talk about ‘suffering’ really depressing and it put me off exploring it further! I wasn’t ready to face up to reality and accept that you have to think about these unpleasant truths in life in order to overcome the fear of them. I suppose that’s why I was trying to find a belief in a God that would ‘look after you’. Big Daddy in the sky!!! Also I think that to go through the Pali teachings, the guidance offered by many of the Thai Forest Tradition teachers is just great. But the very best teacher is the Buddha. Yes, I looked up what the 'Thai Forest Tradition' meant and see its teaching close to the historical Buddha and focuses more on the meditation and practice which is good. I watched 'Life of the Buddha' which was showing on Google earlier today. TheLetterL mentioned it in his/her posting....it was very, very good.
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