Tye Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Hello, everyone. I am wondering if anyone can help me out. I am wanting to begin studying Buddhism. However, I have no idea where to begin. So i was wondering if someone on here that studies and understands Buddhism could help me out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
True_Avery Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tye Posted July 14, 2008 Author Share Posted July 14, 2008 Yeah, I looked at that, and it just confused me. Its too much at one time. Especially since I am completely new to Buddhism. I am looking for someone who can help me to get into it slowly. But thanks for the post none the less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Da_Man_2423 Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Well that's probably one of the easiest free ways to do it... But if you feel like paying some money: Buddhism for Dummies If you really want to dig deep into a religion and truly understand the aspects of it, you'll probably have to look at some confusing text sooner or later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bee Hoon Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Start with this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_noble_truths Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabretooth Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Being a native Indian, I know a thing or two about the Buddhist philosophy and way of life. To my mind, the best way to learn up anything Buddhist would be to start at the root: Gautama Buddha. Read about him, his life and then follow his learnings into Buddhism. Buddhism is actually pretty easy to comprehend compared to other religions, and I find it as a pretty genius idea myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Sitherino Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 It would also serve you well to speak with someone at the nearest Buddhist temple. Any questions can be answered, or at least a path provided. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tye Posted July 14, 2008 Author Share Posted July 14, 2008 My area doesn't have any Buddhist temples. As a matter of fact, I don't think we have one anywhere for more than 100 miles. I would love to visit one, but I just don't have one near me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabretooth Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 My area doesn't have any Buddhist temples. As a matter of fact, I don't think we have one anywhere for more than 100 miles. I would love to visit one, but I just don't have one near me. Come to think of it, I don't recall the last time I ever saw one here either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tye Posted July 14, 2008 Author Share Posted July 14, 2008 Its sad this area doesn't have more cultural and spiritual diversity. Considering this country is known as a melting pot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Jones Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tye Posted July 14, 2008 Author Share Posted July 14, 2008 Thank you very much, Ray Jones. That will be very helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcesious Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 I wonder, what is it that has peeked your interest in Buddhism? You may want to research arguments for and against it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Jones Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 "Buddhism has been described as a very pragmatic religion. It does not indulge in metaphysical speculation about first causes; there is no theology, no worship of a deity or deification of the Buddha. Buddhism takes a very straightforward look at our human condition; nothing is based on wishful thinking, at all. Everything that the Buddha taught was based on his own observation of the way things are. Everything that he taught can be verified by our own observation of the way things are." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthAve Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Maybe start with Siddhartha Gautama and how he became to be Buddha, than branch off with his findings and beliefs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tye Posted July 15, 2008 Author Share Posted July 15, 2008 I wonder, what is it that has peeked your interest in Buddhism? You may want to research arguments for and against it. I went to a christian school for the last 6 years of my schooling, and Bible classes were mandatory. In those classes I heard every argument for the Bible and Christianity, and I heard every argument against every other belief or idea. Now that experience plus the fact that I base my beliefs on experience and not on what people say and what the common concensus is among others has made me who I am. I have decided to forge my own path, and go where the path leads. I see the beauty in everything from people to the abstract and mundane. Buddhism has always been a very beautiful philosophy to me and it fits me. This is why I'm interested in it. It's a beautiful way to look at life. Don't worry about the past or what's to come, because in the end dwelling on the past, and worrying about the future won't change anything. The best we can do is live in the here and now and do our best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Jones Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 So, the positive thing about Bible class is that you don't have to look for cons of a majority of other religions yourself any more. Then again, six years of Bible class teaching you all the pros of Christianity did not make you stick with it either. I reckon your Bible class teacher has to check through his pro/con lists, or he has an hidden agenda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcesious Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 and I heard every argument against every other belief or idea You're find that not all arguments come from a religious perspective, but whatever makes you happy, I would encourage. I beleive that it's important to simply enjoy life and make the best of it, but also be fully aware and mindful of the past and the future. Although, arguments aren't always against ideas, they can also be for certain ideas. Buddhism can be a good start towards a more broad realm- philosophy. I'm not goign to argue agaisnt whatever path you with to choose, but I want to point out that you don't need religion to be able to live happily and enjoy the world. I'd suggest to consider religions as more of a... 'moral guidline' you can learn from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samuel Dravis Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 Tye, you might also be interested in the philosophy of Taoism as well, although I can't say much for the religion. If you are, check out the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu (some lighter reading/introductory material would be The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff, which I found very enjoyable ) Personally I have more interest in the Tao than Buddhism, but I imagine that is due to my near-excessive liking of ordinary language philosophy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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