Book Suggestions..??

[Upsetter619]

Hello everyone, I am just beginning my journey into theraveda Buddhism and am just trying to read the right literature...can anyone recommend some good books to get? I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you

[LonesomeYogurt]

Welcome, Upsetter!

Access to Insight is a great source for hundreds of Buddhist suttas.

If you're interested in getting into meditation, Buddhadasa Bhikkhu's Mindfulness With Breathing is a classic introduction. So is Bhante Gunaratana's Mindfulness in Plain English.

This is a link to the Dhammapada, the most famous collection of Buddhist proverbs.

The Atthakavagga is one of the oldest scriptures we have. Paññobhāsa Bhikkhu's translation is a great one.

These should help you get started. Also check out Ajahn Brahm's youtube channel for some videos, and Dhammatalks.org for some great mp3s to listen to on the go.

Otherwise, please feel free to post questions on the board. May your stay be fruitful!

[retrofuturist]

Greetings upsetter,

If you wish to Scratch under the surface of Theravada Buddhism, see...

Introductory Resources
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=148



Metta,
Retro.

[Kamran]

Some good Books:

The Foundations of Buddhism - Gethin
What the Buddha Thought - Gombrich
How Buddhism Began - Gombrich
Satipatthana: the direct path to realization - Analayo

[cherrytigerbarb]

I enjoyed this short one recently...

The Buddha's Three Jewels by Susan Brassfield Cogan.

[Upsetter619]

hi everybody thank u for all your responses....im actually currently incarcerated and my girlfriend set up this page so i could get help so if u have anymore helpful hints or suggestions they are greatly appreciated such as..things i will need to set up a shrine and places i can get them. They have a Tibetan geshe (michael roach) come here but im not very fond of his teachings because he keeps trying to talk about secret doctrines and what not..so i thank u all for any help you may provide...and thanks for the Upsetter video!!

[cherrytigerbarb]

This one is really good. Looks like they only have it for the kindle though.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Essence-of- ... 943&sr=8-1

[chris98e]

The Foundations of Buddhism - Gethin. I just got done reading The Foundations of Buddhism - Gethin and it is a great book.

[Billymac29]

One of my favorites is Venerable Analayo's Satipatthana: The Direct Path to Realization

I also like U Pandita In This Very Life found here http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pesala/Pandita/, and On The Path to Freedom which is here http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/path-free.pdf

The Practical Way to Nibanna found here: http://www.panditarama.net/ebooks/practicalway.pdf
The Meaning of Satipatthana is here: http://www.panditarama.net/ebooks/satipatan2.pdf

Here's a good short book with question and answer - The Way to Practice found here http://www.panditarama.net/ebooks/thewaytopractise.pdf

many others

[convivium]

craft of the heart by ajahn lee

[Feathers]

Hi! Please don't take this the wrong way (some people do) but when I was first looking into Buddhism I found this really really useful: Buddhism for Dummies
Although it sounds like you might already be more advanced than that.

You might also want to check out some of the books by Pema Chodron - When Things Fall Apart is good, as is Start Where You Are. She's not Theravada, but she is (in my opinion) amazing

Good luck and best wishes

[purist_andrew]

Surprised no one mention one of my favs:

In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon
http://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Words-Anthology-Discourses-Teachings/dp/0861714911/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363877446&sr=8-1&keywords=in+the+buddha%27s+words .

It is a very scholarly collection of discourses from the Pali Canon in themed chapters covering thoroughly ethical conduct, the threefold training including selections on ethics, meditation, insight/wisdom. Also introduces to the Buddhist realms of existence one can be reborn to in the cosmos (heaven, hell, and all in between), and explains how deeds of merit (good deeds) and ethical conduct can lead to a favorable and secure next life/rebirth.

Has some material on ethical conduct leading to prosperity in this life too.

All of the chapters start with several pages of introduction to the suttas that follow by the author, Bhikkhu Bodhi.

With that as your foundation, try some meditation books including ones mentioned here, Mindfulness in Plain English, Satipatthana: The Direct Path to Realization, The Four Foundations of Mindfulness, In This Very Life, and I recommend "The Way of Mindfulness" (must be ordered special from pariyatti.com or bps.lk publishers) and The Heart of Buddhist Meditation.

Some of these can be found online for free.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pesala/Pandita/
http://www.vipassana.com/meditation/mindfulness_in_plain_english.php
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/soma/wayof.html

Check out "The Progress of Insight", "The Noble Eightfold Path" and "The Power of Mindfulness" too, short works available on accesstoinsight.org
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/mahasi/progress.html
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nyanaponika/wheel121.html
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bodhi/waytoend.html

[convivium]

i'm doubt that, in most cases, reading a book on theravada could spark a deep interest, dedication, or commitment to theravada. going on a retreat or staying at a monastery might. if the person is educated and a snob about sources (and doesn't want to read source texts) there's a lot of good stuff published by cambridge and oxford.