Discovering Theravada ...

[pererin]

... no, but really.

I'm getting bogged down here. Can anyone recommend a good, systematic and reasonably comprehensive introduction (or introductions) to Theravada Buddhism which you would put in the hands of a beginner?



With thanks,

Pererin

[stuka]

... no, but really.

I'm getting bogged down here. Can anyone recommend a good, systematic and reasonably comprehensive introduction (or introductions) to Theravada Buddhism which you would put in the hands of a beginner?



With thanks,

Pererin

Buddhadhamma: Natural Laws and Values for Life by Phra Prayudh Payutto.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Buddhadhamma-by-Phr ... 18Q2el1247

Ebay Item # 260335181036

Some excerpts here: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy ... ayutto.htm

[Element]

Buddhadhamma for Students by Bhikkhu Buddhadasa

[Cittasanto]

... no, but really.

I'm getting bogged down here. Can anyone recommend a good, systematic and reasonably comprehensive introduction (or introductions) to Theravada Buddhism which you would put in the hands of a beginner?



With thanks,

Pererin

http://www.wisdom-books.com/SiteSearchR ... ubmit=+Go+
or a very similar book
http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=16955

I have both and the second link I know the author and he has an easy to read and listen to style

[bodom]

What is Theravada Buddhism?
by John Bullitt

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... avada.html

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Pererin,

See also the pinned thread on:

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

Feel free to post your comments and questions here or in a new thread.

Metta,
Retro.

[pererin]

Thank you to each of you who went to the time and trouble of suggesting study material; I am trying to acquire copies, but my usual outlets don't seem to have all the titles you mentioned. I'll keep looking.



Mark

[Peter]

Buddhadhamma for Students by Bhikkhu Buddhadasa

I would not say a man who says "all Theravada teachers have gotten it wrong for the past 1000 years" provides a good introduction to Theravada Buddhism. He may offer an introduction to how he personally understands the Dhamma, but that's a different thing than saying he introduces Theravada.

I would recommend "In the Buddha's Words" by Bhikkhu Bodhi.

[pererin]

Following your good advice I started to put an order together on a certain well-known online book company. Instantly divining my intent, its computer helpfully offered me the following top titles to match my enquiries:

(1) Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

(2) In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon by Bhikkhu Bodhi

(3) What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula

(4) The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh

(5) Mamma Mia! with Meryl Streep

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

Any of the top 3 would be good.

Metta,
Retro.

[Element]

Buddhadhamma for Students by Bhikkhu Buddhadasa

I would not say a man who says "all Theravada teachers have gotten it wrong for the past 1000 years" provides a good introduction to Theravada Buddhism. He may offer an introduction to how he personally understands the Dhamma, but that's a different thing than saying he introduces Theravada.

I would recommend "In the Buddha's Words" by Bhikkhu Bodhi.

Since we are trading opinions, I would avoid "In the Buddha's Words" by Bhikkhu Bodhi. Whilst it is full of wonderful suttas, it has been weighted, giving wrong and over-emphasis towards certain teachings.

When we read the suttas, it is best to read them as a whole. For example, the beginning with the most authentic collections, which would start with the Majjhima, Samyutta & Anguttara Nikayas, avoiding the Digha Nikaya.

When we read for example, the Majjhima Nikaya, we learn about what the Buddha emphasised in his teaching.

Regarding the book, Buddhadhamma for Students by Bhikkhu Buddhadasa, it is very clear. Whenever I have used it to clarify difficult topics on internet chat sites, the readers have always praised it. However, this book is for sincere practitioners.

[mikenz66]

Hi Element,

Since we are trading opinions, I would avoid "In the Buddha's Words" by Bhikkhu Bodhi. Whilst it is full of wonderful suttas, it has been weighted, giving wrong and over-emphasis towards certain teachings.

I haven't noticed this "weighting". I've read "In the Buddhas Words, studied most of the Majjhima Nikaya (not just the Suttas that Bhikkhu Bodhi has recorded talks on), and dipped into the other Nikayas. What exactly do you think is over-emphasised?

The useful thing about reading "In the Buddhas Words" is that it introduces you coherently to a variety of types of Suttas. My experience is that most Suttas that I read now I can see which chapter of ITBWs they could be classified in (suttas about everyday life, kamma and rebirth, meditation, dependent origination, etc).

It may be redundant if you already know your way around the Suttas.

What I certainly wouldn't recommend for a beginner is starting with Sutta 1 of the Majjhima Nikaya...

Metta
Mike

[Element]

For me, the term "beginner" is vague, subjective but most of all, extremely dangerous.

If one studies certain Buddhist subjects & considers them essential then one will always remain a "beginner" because one will have never actually started.

It does not matter how many years that one has been a Buddhist. One will never start if one has wrong grasp of the teachings.

Buddha said in AN X.61 that the cause of ignorance is associating with unenlightened beings and listening to the wrong teachings.

Buddha has advised in teachings such as the Ani Sutta (on the internet) that his suttas connected with emptiness should be studied.

Of course, each of us can only recommend according to our experience. When I first learned Dhamma, as a beginner, I was taught about the sense bases and about how feeling, cravings (greed, hatred & delusion), attachment, self-view & suffering arose from sense contact and of course, how these things that generate suffering can be controlled and ended.

Thus when Bhikkhu Buddhadasa titles a book: "Buddhadhamma for Students", it is intended for beginners who aim to end suffering.

But if the ending suffering is not one's primary goal then I suppose some can certainly recommend other aspects of dhamma.

With metta,

Element

[pererin]

As the OP of this thread I would like to renew my thanks to all those who have suggested material for me to study; I will most certainly follow these through as diligently as I may. I note that the work of Buddhadasa has led to a number of exchanges between contributors. May I respectfully ask that my specific thread not become a forum for debating his work, as doing so might thereby prevent others from contributing their own further suggestions, any of which I would be more than happy to receive.

I also note that Element considers the term 'beginner' (which I used of myself in my initial posting) to be "vague, subjective but most of all, extremely dangerous". I regret any unskilful use of language on my part, but I knew of no other word I should use in its place.

Metta,

Mark

[Cittasanto]

Hi Pererin
here is a pdf of mindfulness in plain english may be cheeper to just print or go to a self publish site (Lulu.com)than to order it?
I would also add Twins with Arnold Schwarzenegger

Following your good advice I started to put an order together on a certain well-known online book company. Instantly divining my intent, its computer helpfully offered me the following top titles to match my enquiries:

(1) Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

(2) In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon by Bhikkhu Bodhi

(3) What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula

(4) The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh

(5) Mamma Mia! with Meryl Streep

[pererin]

Hi Pererin
here is a pdf of mindfulness in plain english may be cheeper to just print or go to a self publish site (Lulu.com)than to order it?

Sorry Manapa - did I miss that pdf?

Metta

[mikenz66]

Dear Element,

For me, the term "beginner" is vague, subjective but most of all, extremely dangerous.

How about "someone who not read any Suttas yet"?

If one studies certain Buddhist subjects & considers them essential then one will always remain a "beginner" because one will have never actually started.

Yes, but there appear to be some different opinions on what is essential...

When I first learned Dhamma, as a beginner, I was taught about the sense bases and about how feeling, cravings (greed, hatred & delusion), attachment, self-view & suffering arose from sense contact and of course, how these things that generate suffering can be controlled and ended.

There are Suttas on those subjects in Chapters VII to IX of "In the Buddha's Words".

Metta
Mike

[Dhammanando]

Hi Manapa,

here is a pdf of mindfulness in plain english

I don't think the board's software allows the uploading of pdf files. But the book can be downloaded here:
http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma4/mpe.html

Best wishes,
Dhammanando Bhikkhu

[pererin]

Thank you, Bhante.

Metta

[Element]

I regret any unskilful use of language on my part, but I knew of no other word I should use in its place.

Please do not 'regret' Mark.

Buddhism is something quite vast and nebulous.

I suppose what I was trying to say is what one studies depends on one's personal objectives.

Sooner more than later, each must choose what is suitable for them.

Peace,

Element