[MoreEndotte]

Hey all, can someone suggests me an easy to read book about Theravada? I have a friend who is a newbie in Buddhism, and he wants to know about Theravada branch. Thanx

[Podborodok]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but Walpola Rahula was Theravadan? In any case, his book "What the Buddha taught" is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in Buddhism in general. And, yes, I'm almost sure he was Theravadan. There are many people from the Theravada branch of Buddhism here that will come up with excellent books but this one, along with Thich Nhat Hanh's "The heart of the Buddha's teaching" are my top recommendations for newbies. But then, Thich Nhat Hanh is zen, not Theravadan.

[robstamps]

I am a Theravada Buddhist and the only book i read is the Digha Nikaya, or in english it is called The long discourses of the Buddha.

Maybe bot the most easy book but i used it also when i was a newbe as you call it

The thinker

[NarhozNic]

Hey all, can someone suggests me an easy to read book about Theravada? I have a friend who is a newbie in Buddhism, and he wants to know about Theravada branch. Thanx

Hi padma

For easy to read books which are by Theravadan authors:

I recommend the range of excellent free books available from Forest Sangha Publications and would suggest possibly starting with Ajahn Chah :

http://forestsanghapublications.org/

Also, here are some Ajahn Chah books to purchase:

http://www.wisdom-books.com/SiteSear...=2&Submit=+Go+


I definately highly recommend:

"The Sound of Silence" by Ajahn Sumedho

also:

"Don't Take Your Life Personally" by Ajahn Sumedho

Both of the above books are a good read and full of wisdom - here is a link to the second one:

http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=22287


Other than that I suggest :

'Mindfulness in Plain English', by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana


and a small selection of suttas ....

"Anguttara Nikaya Anthology - An anthology of discourses from the Anguttara Nikaya" by Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhi Bodhi.

[beenBinybelia]

Hi padma,

Highly recommendable:

1."The Buddha's Ancient Path"

2."The Word of Buddha"

3."Handbook for Mankind"

4."The Four Noble Truths"

Numbers 1, 2 and 4 are excellent because they show direct quotes of what Buddha really taught.

Number 3 is a Theravada approach to what Buddha taught. Excellent teacher & excellent text.

All four are direct to the issue of what Gotama Buddha's teachings are really about.

[Gogogo]

"What the Buddha taught" is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in Buddhism in general.

Sure it is!

Here a link:

"What Buddha Taught"

[womberte]

Lots of good advice above. However if I had to pick one book to introduce someone to Theravada, and one introductory book by Ajahn Sumedho, it would be the same - 'The Mind and the Way' :-

The Mind and the Way

It has just enough of the basic ideas (Kamma, Four Noble Truths, Metta) with advice on meditation and lifestyle.
For me it gives a great overview, but with enough depth to reward re-reading as one's experience grows.

Best wishes
Cal

[casinobonuscxz]

if I had to pick one book to introduce someone to Theravada, and one introductory book by Ajahn Sumedho

Yes, he is an excellent book writer and a wonderful teacher. As a teacher has to be, he makes the Dhamma really understandable and ready to be practiced, away from philosophical riddles and useless complexities.

[apatteopipt]

hey all, thank you very much!!

[Orefsmisits]

Hello, thanx dharmamom. But I have misunderstood my friend's request. He actually asks about "in depth Theravada" book. so do you know any? Thank you

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but Walpola Rahula was Theravadan? In any case, his book "What the Buddha taught" is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in Buddhism in general. And, yes, I'm almost sure he was Theravadan. There are many people from the Theravada branch of Buddhism here that will come up with excellent books but this one, along with Thich Nhat Hanh's "The heart of the Buddha's teaching" are my top recommendations for newbies. But then, Thich Nhat Hanh is zen, not Theravadan.

[Loonakind]

Hello, thanx Aloka. But I have misunderstood my friend's request. He actually asks about "in depth Theravada" book. so do you know any? Thank you

Hi padma

For easy to read books which are by Theravadan authors:

I recommend the range of excellent free books available from Forest Sangha Publications and would suggest possibly starting with Ajahn Chah :

http://forestsanghapublications.org/

Also, here are some Ajahn Chah books to purchase:

http://www.wisdom-books.com/SiteSear...=2&Submit=+Go+


I definately highly recommend:

"The Sound of Silence" by Ajahn Sumedho

also:

"Don't Take Your Life Personally" by Ajahn Sumedho

Both of the above books are a good read and full of wisdom - here is a link to the second one:

http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=22287.

[Qesomud]

Hello, thanx Esho. But I have misunderstood my friend's request. He actually asks about "in depth Theravada" book. so do you know any? Thank you

Hi padma,

Highly recommendable:

1."The Buddha's Ancient Path"

2."The Word of Buddha"

3."Handbook for Mankind"

4."The Four Noble Truths"

Numbers 1, 2 and 4 are excellent because they show direct quotes of what Buddha really taught.

Number 3 is a Theravada approach to what Buddha taught. Excellent teacher & excellent text.

All four are direct to the issue of what Gotama Buddha's teachings are really about.

[Irrampbroow]

Hello, thanx Cal55. But I have misunderstood my friend's request. He actually asks about "in depth Theravada" book. so do you know any? Thank you

Lots of good advice above. However if I had to pick one book to introduce someone to Theravada, and one introductory book by Ajahn Sumedho, it would be the same - 'The Mind and the Way' :-

The Mind and the Way

It has just enough of the basic ideas (Kamma, Four Noble Truths, Metta) with advice on meditation and lifestyle.
For me it gives a great overview, but with enough depth to reward re-reading as one's experience grows.

Best wishes
Cal

[xyupi]

He actually asks about "in depth Theravada" book.

Why not suggest that he read the Visuddhimagga? That's a fairly detailed summation of specifically Theravada practice and theory.

[TeLMgNva]

Hello, thanx Aloka. But I have misunderstood my friend's request. He actually asks about "in depth Theravada" book. so do you know any? Thank you

How about:

"BUDDHADHAMMA - Natural Laws and Values for Life" by Phra Prayudh Payutto.

http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=6380


There's also a list of Theravada books here and 'read more' will give one some idea of the contents.

http://www.wisdom-books.com/SubjectH...FZMctAodwQ5E9g

[DouseAuthott]

Not a book but he could try Bhikkhu Bodhi's lectures on the Majjhima Nikaya, which are available at http://bodhimonastery.org/a-systemat...ma-nikaya.html I'm just starting on them and my first impressions are that they are excellent.

[Amerworma]

Well, Walpola Rahula "What the Buddha taught" is more "in depth Buddhism" from a Theravada point of view... But any of the above should be fine, since the other members have more experience with Theravada. I am more Tibetan.

[pkxlugbsbv]

Why not suggest that he read the Visuddhimagga? That's a fairly detailed summation of specifically Theravada practice and theory.

too long; too theoretical; often, in relation to important dhammas, grossly inaccurate. personally, the Visuddhimagga is the last book i would recommend.

to get off to a proper start, which will prevent wasting years, even a whole lifetime, trying to understand what Buddha taught, i would recommend starting with Buddhadhamma For Students by Bhikkhu Buddhadasa. it can be a little 'lofty' in parts but it explains many core principles clearly. in fact, although it is comprised of 48 questions, the mind should stream-entry after reading the first 4 questions

kind regards