Bhikkhu Bodhi books, where do I start?

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m12_shakes
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Bhikkhu Bodhi books, where do I start?

Post by m12_shakes »

Hello all,

I've heard a lot of good things about Bhikkhu Bodhi's books, which has led be to recently order: In the Buddha's words and Noble eight fold path.

From what I've read on the forum, In the Buddha's words would be an ideal book to start off with, I'll be purchasing the following books (all by Bhikkhu Bodhi) soon:
A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma
The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: A Complete Translation of the Anguttara Nikaya
Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya
The Middle Length Sayings: New Translation: Majjhima-Nikaya
Long Discourses of the Buddha: Translation of the Digha-Nikaya

Also, Dhammapada: A New Translation of the Buddhist Classic with Annotations by Gil Fronsda.

So my question is, where do I start, or even which book do I start with? Until I have firmly grasped an "introductory" book and its meanings, I'm not in any particular rush to purchase any more,

I'm looking to start reading the Suttas on a more regular basis and implement what I read into my daily life.

Kindest regards,

m12
Kindest regards,

m12
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PsychedelicSunSet
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Re: Bhikkhu Bodhi books, where do I start?

Post by PsychedelicSunSet »

My suggestion, if you're trying to begin studying sutta, is to start with In the Buddha's Words. After that I would go for The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha, with Bhikkhu Bodhi's accompanying talks on the book, which can be found here http://bodhimonastery.org/a-systematic- ... ikaya.html.
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Mkoll
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Re: Bhikkhu Bodhi books, where do I start?

Post by Mkoll »

Dear m12,

You've made two great choices!

The first book on Theravada Buddhism I read was In the Buddha's Words and I wholeheartedly recommend it as a first read. It contains a great selection of suttas from the Pali Canon that cover most of the main points of the Buddha's teaching.

The Noble Eightfold Path is great too and focuses in on the details of the Path. There aren't any full suttas here so it is more of a practical handbook.

Much gratitude to Ven. Bodhi. :bow:

And may you fare well!

:anjali:
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
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mikenz66
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Re: Bhikkhu Bodhi books, where do I start?

Post by mikenz66 »

PsychedelicSunSet wrote:My suggestion, if you're trying to begin studying sutta, is to start with In the Buddha's Words. After that I would go for The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha, with Bhikkhu Bodhi's accompanying talks on the book, which can be found here http://bodhimonastery.org/a-systematic- ... ikaya.html.
And there are also talks to accompany "In the Buddha's Words": http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2392

Personally, I started by reading In the Buddha's Words (several times), then worked through the MN (Middle length discourses) with the aid of Bhikkhu Bodhi's lectures, and also talks from other sites, such as:
http://www.dhammaloka.org.au/downloads/ ... l?start=20
http://www.dhammanet.org/archive/Majjhima_Nikaya_1_50
[The talks for "In the Buddha's Words" were no available at that time.]

This is also a useful guide to reading the MN:
Sharda Rogell: Pressing Out Pure Honey
http://www.shardarogell.com/reading-and ... pure-honey

:anjali:
Mike
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Mkoll
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Re: Bhikkhu Bodhi books, where do I start?

Post by Mkoll »

Dear m12,

Also, another great introduction to the main points of Theravada Buddhism by Ven. Bodhi is his series of ten lectures: "The Buddha's Teaching As It Is". His lecture on dependent origination is especially illuminating.

http://bodhimonastery.org/the-buddhas-t ... it-is.html

PS
That website has lots more of Ven. Bodhi's talks.

:anjali:
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
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PsychedelicSunSet
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Re: Bhikkhu Bodhi books, where do I start?

Post by PsychedelicSunSet »

mikenz66 wrote:
PsychedelicSunSet wrote:My suggestion, if you're trying to begin studying sutta, is to start with In the Buddha's Words. After that I would go for The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha, with Bhikkhu Bodhi's accompanying talks on the book, which can be found here http://bodhimonastery.org/a-systematic- ... ikaya.html.
And there are also talks to accompany "In the Buddha's Words": http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2392

Personally, I started by reading In the Buddha's Words (several times), then worked through the MN (Middle length discourses) with the aid of Bhikkhu Bodhi's lectures, and also talks from other sites, such as:
http://www.dhammaloka.org.au/downloads/ ... l?start=20
http://www.dhammanet.org/archive/Majjhima_Nikaya_1_50
[The talks for "In the Buddha's Words" were no available at that time.]

This is also a useful guide to reading the MN:
Sharda Rogell: Pressing Out Pure Honey
http://www.shardarogell.com/reading-and ... pure-honey

:anjali:
Mike

I found the lectures on In The Buddhas Words to be almost unlistenable due to the quality of the recording and the acoustics of the room. I actually tried my hand at repairing the bad audio/removing some of the weird artifacts of the first talk with a little success but still couldn't really use it as a study guide.
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m12_shakes
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Re: Bhikkhu Bodhi books, where do I start?

Post by m12_shakes »

Afternoon all,

I just wanted to say thank you all for the replies. I've started reading In The Buddha's Words, and it really is a fantastic book, it was just what I has after.

I've listened to the lectures and other supporting audio, and I'm sure they'll all be indispensable.
Kindest regards,

m12
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