[Deribasov]

I've been looking for a book on the following subjects:
•Buddhism (the branch of Theravada)
•Refuge in the Three Jewels
•The Four Noble Truths
•The Eightfold Path.
Does anybody know of a book that covers all/any of these comprehensively? I'm still new to Buddhism and its teachings but so far I understand and agree with what I've read. I'm still confused on a major aspect, is this an Atheistic religion? I am perfectly happy wether or not it is, I just want to know as many of my christian, catholic, and jewish friends often ask me these sort of things and I can't give them straight answers.
Thank you very much to any and everybody that answers (or tries to) any of these questions!

[Hpdovoxm]

For your perusal....it's a mix here (last link is not available in book form)

What the Buddha Taught
What Buddhists Believe
The Buddha and His Teachings
Good Question, Good Answer
The Buddha's Teaching: In His Own Words
Buddhism for the Modern Skeptic

[pongeystrhjst]

Welcome Alzoids !

My recommendation would be 'Handbook for Mankind' by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu which is available as an E-book in pdf format:

http://www.suanmokkh.org/archive/pdf/handbook.pdf

Also, as you're interested in Theravada, its worth having a look at the resources at the Access to Insight website:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/begin.html

and also checking our Study Links section.

Sorry I can't be more helpful with book recommendations.

I'm still confused on a major aspect, is this an Atheistic religion?

Buddhists don't believe in a god....more at the link below.

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/qanda03.htm


with kind wishes,

Aloka

[RerRibreLok]

The Eightfold Path.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/a.../waytoend.html

The Noble Eightfold Path

The Way to the End of Suffering

by

Bhikkhu Bodhi

[lXvtm0ox]

Do not look to buy any book, all you want to learn is free to read and to distribute, PLWK already gave you a few links, that is how I learned all I know. I started with the five minute introduction to Buddhism and Good Question, Good Answer. Both of this you can find on buddhanet.net. There is a lot of info on the web that you can read and even print for free...

May all sentient beings find true happiness

[mr.calisto]

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.