[MackBranon]

Hello all!

I'm fairly new to Buddhism. (Maybe six or seven months.) While not a practitioner per se, I am doing as much research as possible with some light mindfulness and meditation practices. I currently attend a nearby Buddhist center, but they are only interested in their own tradition, and arn't much help when I'm trying to get as many perspectives as possible regarding the basics.

So here are the books I own.

Introduction to Buddhism - G.K. Gyatso

What the Buddha Taught - Walpola Rahula

The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching - Thich Nhat Hanh

Any more for consideration? Preferably hardcopy? I already know 90% of the good websites, but I like reading hard copies as opposed to pdf files or off a screen. This isn't to say I won't read things from buddhanet etc., it will just take longer.

P.S. Please no discussion regarding NKT. I'm aware that there is a controversy or banning, or whatnot, but it doesn't interest me.

Thanks for your reading and consideration!

[WapSaibiar]

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki is an excellent resource for those new to Buddhism and seasoned practitioners alike. The hard copy is quite affordable and compact. Enjoy!

[OlgaBorovikovva]

P.S. Please no discussion regarding NKT. I'm aware that there is a controversy or banning, or whatnot, but it doesn't interest me.

Hello and welcome to BWB, OneoftheLost.

You can't have read the Code of Conduct which you agreed to when you joined us because it already states :

"Members are requested to avoid posting discussions or media items concerning controversial practices, traditions and disputes within Vajrayana Buddhism as these issues can lead to deep divisions between online sangha"

This includes discussion of NKT/Dalai Lama issues, the two Karmapas etc

As a refresher you might like to read the short 'What is Buddhism' by Bhante Vimalaramsi and click on the MP3 at the top of the page to listen to his voice.

http://www.dhammasukha.org/Study/Tal...T-MAR03-TS.htm

There are various resources in our Study Links section near the bottom of the main forums page.

Books I would recommend are:

'Anguttara Nikaya Anthology' - an anthology of discourses from the Anguttara Nikaya, selected and translated from the Pali by Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi.

'The Dhammapada' translated by Gil Fronsdal

'Don't Take Your Life Seriously' by Ajahn Sumedho - which I would recommend to everyone.

kind regards

Aloka

[d1Bc25UP]

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki is an excellent resource for those new to Buddhism and seasoned practitioners alike. The hard copy is quite affordable and compact. Enjoy!

This. Great book. I also enjoyed You Are Here by Thich Nhat Hanh but it's very introductory and you may not find it helpful if you've already read the three books you listed.

[htDgExh8]

Hi, oneofthelost.
May I ask what tradition the centre belongs to, Vajrayana, Mahayana, Theravada, or some others.
For the start I suggest that u read the 4 Noble Truths, 8 Fold Noble Paths, 12 Interdependent Origination.
I have a small library of Buddhist books collected since 1986.
Off hand I cannot tell u a few good titles until I clear out my cupboard.
Remember, Buddhism is not a religion. The historical Buddha teached all sentient beings the truth.
All sentient beings are as numerous as the sands of the river Ganges. We are all lost in an illusory world.
Everything we are empty of substance, they are not real.
So be happy, and take care of your health, so that u can practise what is being taught.

[stastony]

You can't have read the Code of Conduct which you agreed to when you joined us because it already states :

"Members are requested to avoid posting discussions or media items concerning controversial practices, traditions and disputes within Vajrayana Buddhism as these issues can lead to deep divisions between online sangha"

This includes discussion of NKT/Dalai Lama issues, the two Karmapas etc In all honesty, this is true, I did not read it, mainly because every forum I have ever come across generally has the same code of conduct copy and pasted from one another regarding the same topics. A mistake, and I sincerely apologize! I will rectify this immediately.

Thank you three for your responses, I've already started to look over your suggestions.

Regarding 'What is Buddhism', I found I had to turn the voice off. While it added quite a bit, he simply speaks too slowly. To the point of making me sleepy. I plan on finishing it at some point where I am a bit more awake.

Thanks again!

[Biassasecumma]

lighter reading: Buddha Dhamma for Students: Bhikkhu Buddhadasa

more serious reading: Handbook for Mankind: Bhikkhu Buddhadasa

[Paul Bunyan]

Hiello again oneofthelost,

If you pay for the postage you can get some excellent free books from Forest Sangha Publications.

http://forestsanghapublications.org/books.php

with kind wishes

Aloka

[ashleyjoseph]

I am currently reading A Complete Guide to Buddhist America which is edited by Don Morreale. So far it has helped me a lot.

[WoCTrt0X]

Two good introduction to the Pali scriptures:

Early Buddhist Discourses translated by John J. Holder -- a good selection of the most philosophically significant suttas, with an excellent general introduction and individual introductions to each sutta.

Sayings of the Buddha translated by Rupert Gethin -- I really like Gethin's translations, as well as his introduction and notes, but this one is a bit less organized than the Holder anthology. The suttas are presented in order in which they are categorized in the canon instead of by topic or title.

I would avoid the volume by Glenn Wallis for Modern Library (Basic Teachings of the Buddha). I used to like his translation of the Dhammapada, but lately find his approach too gimmicky. He plays word games with the text, which makes them very difficult to understand.

[Pelefaifs]

Thank you for all of the replies! I am doing my best to look them over. I anticipate picking up a few in the near future.

Thanks again!

[Gymnarnemia]

you're welcome