Where to start?!

[mettatrader]

Hello there!

I have read the "Introductory Resources" post which is excellent for a beginner like me! I have also looked at the Buddhanet e-library, which again as many, many books to choose from!

The only thing is there is just too much information (not that I am complaining!)

Of all the resources listed, which would be the most useful for a beginner to study, and which have been best reviewed and most enjoyed?

Thanks for your Guidance!

[Marcus Epicurus]

May I suggest reading the book, "What The Buddha Taught" by Walpola Rahula.
I think it is a great place to start and has gotten very good reviews, and it is easy to read and understand.

[Wizard in the Forest]

That's actually a really good one. I think also another good one is "Buddhism in a Nutshell"

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

[plwk]

If you like a typical 'catechism' styled, topical and structured chapters...here's one:
THE BUDDHA AND HIS TEACHINGS by Venerable Nārada Mahāthera
Another one: What Buddhists Believe by the late Ven Dr K Sri Dhammananda Maha Thera

[Kim O'Hara]

Or you could go for (IMO) the simplest presentation of original teachings, the Dhammapada http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/dhp.intro.budd.html (the alternate translation linked at the top of the page is just as good but more poetic - take your pick).

Kim

[mettatrader]

Thanks for the pointers! I have just completed "Buddhism in a Nutshell" and it's a very nice easily readable book. I will probably move onto "What the Buddha Taught" next. I find everything I have read so far very interesting!

Thanks again!

[andre9999]

As far as free stuff goes, I've been on and off reading through The Issue At Hand:
http://www.insightmeditationcenter.org/books-articles/the-issue-at-hand/

And the Access To Insight website has more information than I can manage.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/

[Individual]

It is so nice to see three threads of this nature in the Discovering Theravada forum.

[Bonsai Doug]

Or you could go for (IMO) the simplest presentation of original teachings, the Dhammapada http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/dhp.intro.budd.html (the alternate translation linked at the top of the page is just as good but more poetic - take your pick).

Kim

Agree. Available as a small paperback book you can carry with you and reference often throughout the day.

I carry the Gil Fronsdal translation, and find his annotations throughout the book to be very helpful.

[Wizard in the Forest]

www.wildmind.org

Has a good Anapanasati Meditation and also Metta Bhvana.

[imaginos]

IMHO 'In the Buddha's Words' by Bhikkhu Bodhi is the best introductory material for a beginner.

[Bonsai Doug]

IMHO 'In the Buddha's Words' by Bhikkhu Bodhi is the best introductory material for a beginner.

I'm about half way through this work, and I too agree with the recommendation.

[Wizard in the Forest]

Read that a few years ago. I should read it again and see what I remember... (^^);;;;

[Kim O'Hara]

IMHO 'In the Buddha's Words' by Bhikkhu Bodhi is the best introductory material for a beginner.

It's really good, but it's not my top pick for beginners just because it's so long - there's so much material there that it's easy to get bogged down.
YMMV, of course.

Kim

[Nibbida]

My preference wouldbe to start with Bhante Henepola Gunaratana's Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness: Walking the Buddha's Path.

http://www.amazon.com/Eight-Mindful-Ste ... 0861711769

What the Buddha Taught is also a good choice and a classic place to start, but it's more dense reading. Gunaratana very skillfully expresses the Eightfold Path in contemporary terms, which would make reading other books like What the Buddha Taught or Bhikku Bodhi's Noble Eightfold Path more accessible.

[Edit]
From both a general practice and meditation point of view, Gil Fronsdals The Issue at Hand is very good, and a very accessible book (and free).

http://www.insightmeditationcenter.org/ ... e-at-hand/