Pali Canon Recommendation for Christmas Gift?

[starphlo]

Could anyone make a recommendation on where to begin collecting the Pali Canon? There are so many translations, I am totally overwhelmed. I would like to order some for my son, who is interested in attending a monastery....he would also like to learn Pali, but does not know any at this time. I wonder if it would be better to try to obtain a translation with only English or one that has English and Pali...As you can tell, I am lost! I would appreciate any advise...

[mikenz66]

Welcome starphlo,

I think that Bhikkhu Bodhi's sutta collection In the Buddha's Words is excellent, giving a good overview of a variety of suttas.

You can sample the first chapter here:
http://www.wisdompubs.org/pages/display ... yValue=104


Mike

[Khalil Bodhi]

I second Mike's recommendation although Great Disciples of the Buddha edited by Ven. Bodhi is also excellent and inspiring: http://www.amazon.com/Great-Disciples-Buddha-Their-Legacy/dp/0861711289

[Reductor]

Those are very good anthologies, but you may instead wish to purchase a single Nikaya of the pali canon. In which case I suggest the Majjhima Nikaya, published by Wisdom Publications, and edited by Bhikkhu Bodhi. Easily found on amazon.

It is thought that this Nikaya was compiled with the purpose of orientating new monastics in terms of doctrine, deportmemt and monastic culture. Things of importance to any young man who would wish to hang out in a monestary.

[starphlo]

Thanks so much. I will check those out. What about the Anguttara Nikaya? I've been reading some recommendations for that one to begin with.

[Aloka]

What about the Anguttara Nikaya? I've been reading some recommendations for that one to begin with.

There's an Anguttara Nikaya Anthology you might like, selected and translated by Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi.

[Vepacitta]

My personal favourite is the Samyutta Nikaya, translated by Ven. Bodhi. For some reason it speaks to me the most out of all the other Nikayas.

V.

[hermitwin]

You can download it for free at access to insight.
www.accesstoinsight.org/
I wish your son all the best in his quest.
Its wonderful to see someone seeking the dhamma
in this materialistic world. Cheers.

[BKh]

On this page:
http://readingfaithfully.wordpress.com/ ... talibrary/

there is a PDF you can download with a bibliography for building a solid English sutta library. The selection puts a priority on accuracy, readability, and availability. Those texts marked with a star are recommended to start with. As you will see, they include the two sutta books already recommended on this thread. You will see other pages on that site that go into more detail about good books to start with.

One of the purposes of this PDF is for people like the OP who want to get the books but may not have a sense of where to begin. If it is helpful or you have suggestions for improvements that would be welcome.

As far as Pali language texts, most are now available for free on the Kindle. And there are other resources on the computer to get the texts so having the Pali print books is not so urgent.