Hello !!

[Welshmatt]

Hello I'm new to the forum and also to buddhism. I'm a 33 year old male, married with 3 children. For some years buddhism as always made sense to me and I've known for a while that It is what I want to do. I live in wales ( uk) and have struggled to find any meeting places so all I've been able to do is some research on the web. Any advice would be greatly appreciated? I. E websites , books and general advice on where to start my new path in life.

Many thanks

Matt

[mikenz66]

Welcome WelshMatt!

I hope you can find some help and advice here. See, in particular:
Introductory resources
http://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=148

You may find some groups in Wales using this Directory: http://www.buddhanet.info/wbd/


Mike

[Khalil Bodhi]

Welcome Welshmatt!

[cooran]

Welcome to DhammaWheel!!

With metta,
Chris

[Mkoll]

Welcome, Welshmatt!

[SarathW]

Hi Welshmatt
Wellcome!

The following book is very helpful. Start from chapter 15.

http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/buddh ... gsurw6.pdf

[Taijitu]

Hello!

I am new as well but my favorite Sutta that I always come back to is the Simile of the Saw or as I have been calling it the Smile of the Saw: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

[Welshmatt]

Hi everyone,

Just read my first book- buddhism for beginners by Thubten Chodron! It was a great basic insight into buddhism , but I'm left with a few question..... How do I know which tradition is best for me to follow? I was told on another forum to read up and a few and that's the only way I will know where to go? I was also advised of a tradition to avoid! Any ideas on what follow up books would be best for me?

Thankyou all

Matt

[culaavuso]

Hi everyone,

Just read my first book- buddhism for beginners by Thubten Chodron! It was a great basic insight into buddhism , but I'm left with a few question..... How do I know which tradition is best for me to follow? I was told on another forum to read up and a few and that's the only way I will know where to go? I was also advised of a tradition to avoid! Any ideas on what follow up books would be best for me?

Thankyou all

Matt

On the web, a lot of information is available at Access to Insight.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/

There is a lot of material there, including this introduction/outline of the Dhamma:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/

So far as books, Refuge by Thanissaro Bhikkhu is a good introductory book based largely on collected quotes from the Pali Canon.
It is also available for free online:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... efuge.html

So far as picking a tradition or a teacher, I think it might be useful to review the Buddha's advice to the Kalamas when they asked a similar question. I recommend reading the entire sutta, as it often has pieces quoted out of context which can lead to an incomplete understanding of what was taught.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

As they sat there, the Kalamas of Kesaputta said to the Blessed One, "Lord, there are some brahmans & contemplatives who come to Kesaputta. They expound & glorify their own doctrines, but as for the doctrines of others, they deprecate them, revile them, show contempt for them, & disparage them. And then other brahmans & contemplatives come to Kesaputta. They expound & glorify their own doctrines, but as for the doctrines of others, they deprecate them, revile them, show contempt for them, & disparage them. They leave us absolutely uncertain & in doubt: Which of these venerable brahmans & contemplatives are speaking the truth, and which ones are lying?"

Since you say you are a householder, I would recommend also reading the layperson's code of discipline as described in the Sigalovada Sutta:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .nara.html

[bodom]

Welcome Matt!

[Welshmatt]

Thanks for the answers guys! I've still lots to learn! I've been on many websites and forums. I've found many different view.....buddhist who eat meat, Buddhists who don't! Some even have an occAsional drink and others who never! I must admit I've never been a big drinker And don't enjoy it that much to miss! I do still eat meat , but this may change as I understand things more! I've just read buddhism for beginners by thubten Chodron and have ordered - what the buddy taught by Walpola ruhala. Am I reading the right materials? The first book made sense to me and gave a basic insight...I think??