Hey mans, Im interested in looking at Buddhism...

Hey all. Im interested in looking into/ studying Buddhism. Could anyone here point me in the direction of a book/ source of info to which i could refer? Also- I'm interested in purchasing the Book of the Dead, could someone point me in the direction of a good edition of the book to purchase? Thank you all.

 

Well, there are many paths in Buddhism, and which one you choose depends a lot on what you want out of it. Try this forum, which might give you a better idea of what your options are and what practice is really like:

e-sangha

As far as the Book of the Dead goes, I'd recommend the one edited by Graham Coleman, Thupten Jinpa, and translated by Gyurme Dorje. I've not read it yet, but it is supposed to be the best and most complete translation to date.

 

e-sangha has become appalling. So incredibly elitist and sectarian these days, you aren't really allowed to ask questions or raise debates if it challenges the "holy word of Buddha"...

Look elsewhere, there are much better forums and sites around.

Better still, go to your local buddhist centre, maybe try some meditation sessions...You don't have to be a buddhist to join and you can ask questions openly there (most the time)...If you dont like it, no worries, don't go again...

Also I wouldnt start with the Book of the Dead. Too heavy... Start with something light and easily digestible. Dalai Lama is a good writer, so is Thich Nhat Hanh...'Zen Mind , Beginners Mind' by Suzuki is also a wonderful introduction to the zen school imo.

Oh and also 'Tibetan Book of Living and Dying' by Sogyal Rinpoche is a pretty easy and readable introductory book.

 

As far as sites go, I would really suggest www.buddhistinformation.com
They're a really good operation.
Books...
A Buddhist Bible -Dwight Goddard
What the Buddha Taught -Walpola Rahula
Old Path White Clouds -Thich Naht Hanh

 

I feel the same way. I've read a lot of things... looked at a lot of sites.... but really I feel lost at where to really start. My b/f looks more towards Zen... but I'm not sure if it's what I would prefer. One of my biggest problems about internet resources is that I'm not sure wich ones I should trust and wich I shouldn't. For all I know it could be someone like me who know just about as much as I do about it and not all the information could be correct.

What are the different types anyway?

 

The most general distinctions are: Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. Inside of each of those there are many more traditions.

 

Thank you... that makes it a little easier for me to begin.

 

Are you from northern Indiana? if you are then we could talk

 

try "Words of My Perfect Teacher" - Patrul Rinpoche

 

I also live in IN. I am following the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Try reading anything by Lama Surya Das. He is an excellent writer. Good luck on your journey!

Peace and love

 

I take classes at DDCV in Vermont - Drikung Dzogchen Community Vermont. They are vajrayana. Great teachers through there.

If you want to be Buddhist then you are following a path of return, meaning, what you put into it is what is returned.

 

Read the Dhammapada.

 

Oceans by Kenneth Tanaka and Bits of Rubble Turn into Gold by Taiteusu Unno are a couple of my favorites.

 

I too, am starting my journey into Buddhism. I just started reading 'Buddha is as Buddha does'

 

Forget paths, forget religions, seek to awaken the Kundalini. She alone will take you back to the God you already are. We don't exist, only the absolute does, become one with that, and you're home.