[affozyBoomi]

I've read about Buddhism and would like to practice it but I don't even know where to start.

I tried doing some meditation but I still don't feel like I'm getting into it properly. I'm really hesitating on what to do and where to begin.

How did all you first start to practice? And what tips can you give me? Maybe point to some reading material?

Thank you,
Renee

[errolespopume]

welcome Renee

Buddhism has many levels of practise, the most basic being practising the five precepts (non-harming), generosity, unconditional love & compassion, etc.

in my life, i started practising Buddhism before i knew what Buddhism was, when, due to life experiences, i decided to not act in ways that contribute to the harm of others

then, when i visited a Buddhist monastery as a tourist overseas, i first discovered & practised meditation, in the setting of a formal 10 day meditation retreat

***

if you wish to practise meditation, it is best to start practice at a Buddhist centre, even if it is just for an evening or day

as for the other aspects of Buddhism, these are practised in everyday life

in Buddhism, there are many teachings on practising in everyday life, such as the qualities that should be practised in our everyday relationships, etc

kind regards

element

[SimSlim]

Hi Renee,

I first got involved with a Buddhist group before doing any general investigation of Buddhism first, so then I had to do that later.

I think its definately a good idea to go to a Buddhist meditation class regularly if possible - but of course that depends on where one lives and if any are available.

For a general view of Buddhism and the Buddha's life and basic teachings , it might be a good idea to have a look at the Buddhist study sections at the Buddhanet site:

http://www.buddhanet.net/

As far as meditation is concerned, I recommend that you have a look at the resources in the ' Meditation' thread in our Study Links section at the bottom of the main forums page. There are other general resouces too in the other threads in Study Links.

http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries...356-Meditation

with kind wishes

Aloka

[DoctorIrokezov]

How did all you first start to practice?

Hello Renee,

I remember starting practicing Buddhism the very first time I read the Four Noble Truths and being touched by them while realizing the Origin of mental suffering.

[tousuarshatly]

It might be a good idea to buy some books on Buddhism in plain english (or your primary language) about Buddhism in general.

I made that mistake when I first started studying Buddhism, I bought books with a lot of pali words that I did not understand with topics that were over my head.
One of the best books I bought was a comicbook for children about the life of Buddha

[raskrutkaseo]

Thank you all for sharing your advice and your experiences, that really makes me feel like less of a failure

BushBuddhist, you are right, a lot of the words they use are a little confusing for me. And I can't believe in something if I don't understand it thoroughly. So I have a long week of research ahead of me.

Esho, the four noble truths were also one of the first things that made me see the realism of Buddhism, I remember reading them and feeling like that was the first time I was ever told the truth. It made me want to cry, not out of sadness but out of a higher sense of hope than I have ever felt before.

Aloka and Element, first of, thank you very much for accepting me into your community and making me feel so welcome. And thank you for clearing up some confusions I've had about the basics of Buddhism. I also thought it would be best to join a community or a Buddhist meditation group here but unfortunately, I was only able to find one and they are unreachable. But I am genuinely happy and thankful to have a kind and inspiring community right here at BWB.

Thank you all and best wishes,
Renee

[realfan87]

Hi, a good starting point for mediation might be here ->

http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma4/mpe.html

Mindfulness In Plain English by Ven. Henepola Gunaratana

I found this book really helpful when starting out as it removed a lot of extra stuff around Buddhism and focussed on the nuts and bolts of meditation. Maybe when you have a firm meditation practice established you can then look into all the other wonderful aspects and traditions in Buddhism.

Good luck!

[nuabuncarnigo]

As someone who is new to the practice of Buddhism myself,I can only tell you
this is just the begging.Although I can understand where your coming from.
I think the key to Buddhism is taking one step at a time,one day at a time.
When progress is slow,what you have learned will stay longer with you.
When progress is made to quickly then perhaps you didn't look long
enough into something to really find what you need? Just a thought though :]

[Qvqnubpj]

As someone who is new to the practice of Buddhism myself,I can only tell you
this is just the begging.Although I can understand where your coming from.
I think the key to Buddhism is taking one step at a time,one day at a time.
When progress is slow,what you have learned will stay longer with you.
When progress is made to quickly then perhaps you didn't look long
enough into something to really find what you need? Just a thought though :]

Yes Peace. Frequently a single Sutta -a discourse of Buddha in the Nikayas- can take time; enough in order to bear its fruit and have its full meaning well understood. Once this has been achieved, practice is a bit more easy and related to the goal.

[Gozmand]

Aloka and Element, first of, thank you very much for accepting me into your community and making me feel so welcome. And thank you for clearing up some confusions I've had about the basics of Buddhism.

You are very welcome, Renee. Please feel free to continue to ask us questions.

By the way, in case you haven't noticed, we have a "meditation room" with a meditation timer in the sub-forum underneath the General Buddhist Discussions forum which might be useful to you.

with kind wishes

Aloka

[encumeterz]

It might be a good idea to buy some books on Buddhism in plain english (or your primary language) about Buddhism in general.

I made that mistake when I first started studying Buddhism, I bought books with a lot of pali words that I did not understand with topics that were over my head.
One of the best books I bought was a comicbook for children about the life of Buddha

I want to share some knowledge that I found very useful in my studies. It is a gem. When you are reading something you do not understand you can read it anyways, add into the expectation of your mind this - absorbsion and patience. It was taught to me this way, the knowlegde and the lessons are already there, if one intends to learn the lesson the way will open. the lessons you have missed will be taught to you if you intend to learn them. i found later, after reading, that my mind was actively absorbing the realisation needed, seemingly from nowhere. it was described to me as the spirit. in any case the enlightenment was met, and awareness bestowed, simply by his suggestion that the body will absorb the lessons anyways. i took it further and realised that books and teachers are not even needed, that the mind and body can absorb, or attract any lesson one wishes to learn, simply by stating your intent. when asked where i learn what i learn i simply say i harnass or i channal the chi to my wishes.

[giDdfezP]

In learning to understand what buddhism is about, i found it helpful to read biographies of the buddha. One of my favourites was by Pankaj Mishra who is an indian so it is interesting on many levels. His chapters on teh buddha's enlightenment i found very inspiring.

I definitely second going along to a buddhist temple or meditation group or do a retreat. I think you can learn a lot about meditation in a retreat that takes a lot longer when you are trying to do it alone.

I have found reading widely helps. Seek out authoritative (well regarded) authors and books because not all books are equal. For meditation Bhante Gunaratana is excellent.

I also found for the practice of buddhism, the Noble Eightfold Path is the most helpful thing.

Learn about impermanence, not-self and dukkha. These are the three characteristics of existence according to buddhism. Working out a practice of not-self is a great thing to do but its not easy to find people writing well about it and therefore its not clear how you should go about living as if you beleived in not-self. I think the best person i've found on that topic is Dana Nourie from the Secular buddhist Association website. She said she might write some articles about it soon. Certainly if you can practice the eightfold path you will be a long way towards praticing not-self.

[AmericaAirline 111]

Learn about impermanence, not-self and dukkha. These are the three characteristics of existence according to buddhism. Working out a practice of not-self is a great thing to do but its not easy to find people writing well about it and therefore its not clear how you should go about living as if you beleived in not-self. I think the best person i've found on that topic is Dana Nourie from the Secular buddhist Association website. She said she might write some articles about it soon. Certainly if you can practice the eightfold path you will be a long way towards praticing not-self.

Dana Nourie is an American woman who writes on the internet ( she's a "Senior Technical Writer/Content Strategist, Community Manager and Social Media Specialist") and isn't actually a recognised teacher of Buddhism.

Renee -this is a teaching from Buddhadasa Bhikkhu on the "Three Univeral Characteristics "of impermanence (anicca), unsatisfactoriness/suffering (dukkha), not -self (anatta)

http://www.buddhanet.net/budasa6.htm

More about not-self (Anatta) from Ajahn Sumedho here in "Self View, Personality and Awareness":

http://www.dhammatalks.net/Books9/Aj...ersonality.htm


There's also Buddhadasa Bhikkhu's "Anatta and Rebirth" which is worth reading too:

http://das-buddhistische-haus.de/pag...nd_Rebirth.pdf

[Gilowero]

"and isn't actually a recognised teacher of Buddhism."

As a secular buddhist, i don't need to take all my learnings from lineaged buddhist teachers. In fact a lot of those sorts of people i have profound disagreement with.

What i like about the way Dana writes about not-self is that its practical not just theoretical and she says things that i haven't found others saying and which make a lot of practical sense and are easy to verify through ones own practice.

I don't feel like reading that article right now. I going to make an assumption that he just articulates the usual generalities about what not-self is. Perhaps you could cut and paste something particularly different if you feel motivated.

I have read many many people talk about not-self and everyone just writes about it as a description of reality and does not show us how to apply that concept to make a difference in our lives. It seems to be assumed that if you accept the concept of not-self you will automatically be able to practice it but i am inclined to think that is not at all the case.

[luffyplayaz]

"and isn't actually a recognised teacher of Buddhism."

As a secular buddhist, i don't need to take all my learnings from lineaged buddhist teachers. In fact a lot of those sorts of people i have profound disagreement with.

What i like about the way Dana writes about not-self is that its practical not just theoretical and she says things that i haven't found others saying and which make a lot of practical sense and are easy to verify through ones own practice.

I don't feel like reading that article right now. I going to make an assumption that he just articulates the usual generalities about what not-self is. Perhaps you could cut and paste something particularly different if you feel motivated.

I have read many many people talk about not-self and everyone just writes about it as a description of reality and does not show us how to apply that concept to make a difference in our lives. It seems to be assumed that if you accept the concept of not-self you will automatically be able to practice it but i am inclined to think that is not at all the case.

Hello Wendii,

This is the Discovering Buddha's Teachings forum and so we use recognised resources, known Dharma teachers and the suttas for any material that is referenced.

If you are not happy with that then there are other forums you can post in on the BWB website instead.

No offence intended but this is not your personal topic and my references are for the benefit of Renee and anyone else who might be reading this thread.

Additionally, Renee hasn't posted for two and a half weeks so it would be good to wait for some feeback now.


Thanks -and with kind regards

Aloka