https://www.reddit.com/r/Buddhism/comments/1h4fzdg/what_can_i_do_to_start/
created by Parking_Way4847 on 01/12/2024 at 22:51 UTC
5 upvotes, 7 top-level comments (showing 7)
I’ve been really interested in Buddhism for a while but idk what to do to start learning about it and the history.
Comment by BodhingJay at 01/12/2024 at 23:10 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
There's a series put out by The Dalai Lama and Thubten Chodron, the first book in the series is called Approaching The Buddhist Path.. It has a pretty good overview regarding the history, how it developed and splintered historically into different Buddhist factions all around the globe
I also recommend The Heart of The Buddha's Teachings, by Thich Nhat Hanh for an overview of the concepts and aspects of Buddhism.. it includes all the basics including some tougher concepts like No-Self, the 5 aggregates, interdependent co-origination
Comment by FUNY18 at 01/12/2024 at 23:51 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Immerse yourself to the teachings of Sravasti Abbey for a few years.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Buddhism/s/nQdJJ9Tbhv
Comment by genivelo at 02/12/2024 at 00:01 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Buddhism is vast and varied.
For a very basic overview, this website is generally good: https://tricycle.org/beginners/
The book “Buddhism for Dummies” is also a good introduction. It is a relatively thorough overview of the history and of most major important notions and traditions, well presented, and easy to read. It is not a book of Buddhist teachings or instructions though (it’s not directly a Buddhist book on how to practice Buddhism, it’s a book about Buddhism). But it references many other books and teachers you can look up, depending on what aspects interest you.
A good way to establish the foundation for Buddhist practice is with the ten virtuous actions
Short explanation: https://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=Ten_positive_actions[1]
Longer explanation: https://learning.tergar.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/VOL201605-WR-Thrangu-R-Buddhist-Conduct-The-Ten-Virtuous-Actions.pdf[2]
1: https://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=Ten_positive_actions
Along with making offerings, and reciting texts and aspirations, to orient our mind in the proper direction. Meditation is also very useful as a way to train the mind more directly.
The best way to learn how to practice Buddhism is with other Buddhists. So I would recommend you check out what legitimate temples and centers there are in your area, what activities they offer and when is the best time to visit them. There are also online communities at r/sangha, and many online courses offered now. Do check out a few to see what really appeals to you.
If you are curious about Tibetan Buddhism, here are some resources:
Buddhism — Answers for Beginners, from Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXAtBYhH_jiOGeJGAxfi0G-OXn5OQP0Bs[3]
A series of 61 videos (avg. 7min. long) on all types of common questions
3: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXAtBYhH_jiOGeJGAxfi0G-OXn5OQP0Bs
or more at this link: https://www.reddit.com/r/TibetanBuddhism/comments/1d0cwr4/comment/l5s4tdy/[4]
(Videos and readings)
4: https://www.reddit.com/r/TibetanBuddhism/comments/1d0cwr4/comment/l5s4tdy/
I think also the Thai Forest Buddhist tradition can be a good place to start, given their generally very straightforward approach. If you google “Thai Forest Ajahn”, you should find many resources.
Many people also find Thich Nhat Hanh to be very beginner-friendly.
https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh/key-books[5]
https://plumvillage.app/[6]
5: https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh/key-books
I hope that helps.
Comment by foowfoowfoow at 02/12/2024 at 05:28 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
the buddha’s path to the end of suffering is called the noble eightfold path. you can learn more about the buddha, his teachings, and the community of individuals who practice here:
the story of the buddha in his own words is here:
Noble Warrior[1] (free on request from the site)
1: https://www.dhammatalks.org/ebook_index.html#NobleWarrior
the following is a summary of the buddha’s core teachings:
On the Path[2] (free on request from the site)
2: https://www.dhammatalks.org/ebook_index.html#onthepath
the noble eightfold path has three aspects to it: sila (virtue), samadhi (concentration) and panna (wisdom).
as a basic standard of virtue for practicing buddhism, you should follow and perfect the five precepts:
in developing concentration, you may also want take up breath based mindfulness and loving kindness mindfulness:
With Each and Every Breath[3] (free on request from the site)
3: https://www.dhammatalks.org/ebook_index.html#eachandeverybreath
Inhalation-Exhalation Based Mindfulness - Basic Instructions
Loving Kindness Mindfulness - Basic Instructions
the books above will give you an idea of how to see all things with wisdom, in terms of impermanence, non self, and ultimately stressful / unsatisfactory.
best wishes. stay well.
Comment by TheOGMelmoMacdaffy at 01/12/2024 at 23:04 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
You can: watch Buddhism videos on Youtube (I love Ajahn Sona); learn how to meditate, read books about it (Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Bhante Gunaratana[1] is terrific). Read this thread. Lots of options.
Comment by ThalesCupofWater at 01/12/2024 at 23:23 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
In terms of materials you can watch, you can start with the first two. The first tells you about basic concepts and practices in general including introducing you to various traditions. The second will introduce you to the history of multiple traditions in Buddhism, key figures and some philosophical concepts in more detail. It is a bit academic but pretty good.
Alan Peto's Buddhism For Beginner Series (great for multiple traditions and beginners)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5MO7RkS7MhB8lgo6eXotAmw%5C_TrJ5qANt[1][2]
1: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5MO7RkS7MhB8lgo6eXotAmw%5C_TrJ5qANt
2: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5MO7RkS7MhB8lgo6eXotAmw_TrJ5qANt
Dr. Aaron Proffit Introduction to Buddhism Lecture Series (Academic introduction to multiple traditions in Buddhism, sutras and philosophical concepts)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKBfwfAaDeaWBcJseIgQB16pFK4%5C_OMgAs[3][4]
3: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKBfwfAaDeaWBcJseIgQB16pFK4%5C_OMgAs
4: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKBfwfAaDeaWBcJseIgQB16pFK4_OMgAs
From here on you can see it broken by tradition that interests you.
Ajahn Sona-Great videos for Theravada practice
https://www.youtube.com/c/AjahnSona[5][6]
5: https://www.youtube.com/c/AjahnSona
6: https://www.youtube.com/c/AjahnSona
Center for Buddhist Education: Shin Buddhist lectures, talks and introductory videos
https://www.youtube.com/c/BCACenterforBuddhistEducation/about[7][8]
7: https://www.youtube.com/c/BCACenterforBuddhistEducation/about
8: https://www.youtube.com/c/BCACenterforBuddhistEducation/about
Saravasti Abbey (Talks, lectures and even guides to Approaching the Buddhist Path Series in Tibetan Buddhism)
https://www.youtube.com/user/sravastiabbey[9][10]
9: https://www.youtube.com/user/sravastiabbey
10: https://www.youtube.com/user/sravastiabbey
Tendai Buddhist Institute (Features talks from Tendai tradition)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7PpHL9jHu9UKmkjwc0h50g[11][12]
11: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7PpHL9jHu9UKmkjwc0h50g
12: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7PpHL9jHu9UKmkjwc0h50g
Foundation for Shingon Buddhism (Introduction to Shingon talks and sutra studies)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC%5C_MS0HqdL34o8D-AncPThqw/videos[13][14]
13: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC%5C_MS0HqdL34o8D-AncPThqw/videos
14: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_MS0HqdL34o8D-AncPThqw/videos
Tallahassee Chan Center: (talks and lectures on Chan Buddhism
https://www.youtube.com/c/TallahasseeChanCenter/videos[15][16]
15: https://www.youtube.com/c/TallahasseeChanCenter/videos
16: https://www.youtube.com/c/TallahasseeChanCenter/videos
Fo Guang Shan English Dharma Service (English resources on Chan Buddhism)
https://www.youtube.com/@fgsdharmaservices/videos[17][18]
17: https://www.youtube.com/@fgsdharmaservices/videos
18: https://www.youtube.com/@fgsdharmaservices/videos
Pure Land Buddhism 101 Playlist (Focuses on Chinese Pure Land practices)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-RSgVFbZXSwWXMSOkjPPlhM1FNWHSWV3[19][20]
19: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-RSgVFbZXSwWXMSOkjPPlhM1FNWHSWV3
20: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-RSgVFbZXSwWXMSOkjPPlhM1FNWHSWV3
Edit: BodhingJay's post is a great place to start reading.
Comment by todd_rules at 02/12/2024 at 03:17 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
There is a great podcast called Everyday Buddhism. Start at the beginning where she discusses the basics. She also has a fantastic book that is easy to understand and helps you bring the practice into your everyday life as apposed to just learning about it. https://www.everyday-buddhism.com/[1][2] Here is the site,