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created by [deleted] on 25/05/2024 at 14:12 UTC
21 upvotes, 8 top-level comments (showing 8)
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Comment by IntermediateState32 at 25/05/2024 at 15:00 UTC
12 upvotes, 1 direct replies
A good place to start is StudyBuddhism.com[1]. There are 4 main Schools in Tibetan Buddhism but they all teach the same basic introductory stuff, which is called the Stepped Path to Enlightenment (Lam-Rim)[2]. I am assuming you are most interested in Tibetan Buddhism since you put the question here. There is no hurry to make that choice. Buddhanet.net[3] has a ton of info on all the Buddhist Traditions. Buddhanet.net[4] also has a global center directory, which, sadly, is poorly maintained so not all of the info is current.
1: https://studybuddhism.com/en
2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamrim
The FPMT.org[5] has some nice introductions to Buddhism[6].
6: https://fpmt.org/education/programs/new-to-buddhism/
If you have a center near you, go check it out. The pandemic made everyone start using Zoom and Youtube, which the Dharma has definitely benefited from, so many centers are now putting their teachings on Zoom. So, if you know the name of the center near you, search for them on Youtube or check out their web site for times and dates. Example: You can get Zoom info on when Garchen Meditation Centre Society in Vancouver[7] meets via their email list.
7: https://garchencanada.com/join-our-email-list/
HH the Dalai Lama gave a series of teachings on the Lam-Rim[8]. You can read the transcript online or download the free ebook there.
8: https://www.lamayeshe.com/article/illuminating-path-enlightenment
Don't be in any sort of rush to make a decision about which school, teacher, or even Tradition to follow. There is a TON of info on the web, a veritable ocean, which will inundate you quickly if you aren't careful. There is also a lot to be wary of, as is the case everywhere. You can ask questions here if you are not sure if a teacher or group is legit. Most the un-legit ones hit you up with requests for money right away.
Good Luck!
Comment by minatour87 at 25/05/2024 at 15:47 UTC
7 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The world of Tibetan Buddhism by HH Dalai Lama How to Mediate by Kathleen McDonald
Comment by tyinsf at 25/05/2024 at 15:59 UTC
4 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Videos are helpful. There's something about the warm vast openness of a teacher talking that doesn't come through in print.
To get a feel for the Tibetan vibe, watch Kundun, free on youtube. It's the life story of HH Dala Lama. Film by Scorcese. Music by Philip Glass. It's awesome.
Comment by helikophis at 25/05/2024 at 21:24 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
This is a free, easy to read ebook that covers the entire Buddhist path (from an Indo-Tibetan perspective) in less than 300 pages -
https://lhaseylotsawa.org/assets/texts/A_Lamp_Illuminating_the_Path_to_Liberation_2nd_ed.pdf
Comment by Expert-Celery6418 at 26/05/2024 at 02:41 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Best way to start is to learn is to a) start learning the Dharma and b) start practicing.
I recommend *How to Practice* by H.H. Dalai Lama and *What Makes You (Not) A Buddhist* by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse.
Another thing you might want to ask yourself is, are you simply interested in a good rebirth or are you interested in freedom/liberation? For a good rebirth, you simply need to act with good karma. No need for the *Vajra* path which will totally break your conceptual and conventional thinking into full enlightenment if you're simply in need of a good rebirth.
So, I would identify your objective, what you hope to achieve **first**, start understanding the *heart of the Buddha's teaching* (btw, though he isn't *Vajra* the book by Hanh is good by the same title) **second** and lastly, when you have decided and understood these things to a good degree to find a meditative path to help you along the way that would require dedicating your time and seeking out a specific practice/tradition, that would be **third**.
I hope my advice helps, but I would also take it with a grain of salt, as there are probably many others on this forum who know a lot better than I do about the Tibetan tradition.
P.S. Looks like IntermediateState32 has given very sage advice Sadhu my friend. I recommend starting with some of that advice. In order to get a good rebirth, it's not necessary to jump from the fire straight into being frozen into a block of ice. (sort of my version of the fire metaphor uses by Buddha Shakyamuni but also how the *Vajra* path is described as the lightning quick path metaphorically) Some of the other vehicles/turnings (Theravada and Mahayana both) can get you a good rebirth without needing to go full on into something like Vajrayana and Dzogchen. So, identifying your objective in this life and with the Dharma is key.
Comment by genivelo at 26/05/2024 at 18:57 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Here is a very interesting, less traditional overview: https://youtu.be/0swudgvmBbk
And here is a very good, free course that introduces the core Tibetan Buddhist views: Erik Pema Kunsang's course on the Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo available here: https://dharmasun.org/courses/archives/[1]
(you need to create a free account to access the course recordings)
1: https://dharmasun.org/courses/archives/
And even better than listening to recorded dharma talks is attending one in person or online. Check for temples in your region, or online at r/sangha, or this comment https://www.reddit.com/r/Dzogchen/comments/17zna7p/comment/kaa81pe/[2].
2: https://www.reddit.com/r/Dzogchen/comments/17zna7p/comment/kaa81pe/
Here is a list of articles that will give you a taste of various aspects, and let you sample different teachers. You will have to open them in incognito windows, because of the limit of articles per month. (Edit : there is sort of an order to the list, but you can also simply go read the ones that grab your attention most.)
https://www.lionsroar.com/compassion-and-wisdom/
https://www.lionsroar.com/rebel-buddha-january-2011/
https://www.lionsroar.com/buddhas-original-wakefulness/
https://www.lionsroar.com/this-is-my-mind-luminous-and-empty-may-2012/
https://www.lionsroar.com/the-power-of-positive-karma/
https://www.lionsroar.com/karma-is-not-fate/
https://www.lionsroar.com/what-makes-you-a-buddhist/
https://www.lionsroar.com/what-the-buddha-taught/
https://www.lionsroar.com/buddhas-four-noble-truths/
https://www.lionsroar.com/why-we-take-refuge/
https://www.lionsroar.com/why-meditation-isnt-enough/
https://www.lionsroar.com/why-we-do-it/
https://www.lionsroar.com/the-heart-of-the-buddha/
https://www.lionsroar.com/thubten-chodron-the-heart-of-the-buddha-2/
https://www.lionsroar.com/basically-good/
https://www.lionsroar.com/in-with-the-bad-air-out-with-the-good/
https://www.lionsroar.com/feeding-demons-tsultrim-allione-on-joyful-giving/
https://www.lionsroar.com/being-present-with-suffering/
https://www.lionsroar.com/vajrayana-unpacked/
https://www.lionsroar.com/what-are-the-four-schools-of-tibetan-buddhism/
https://www.lionsroar.com/emptiness-buddhanature/
https://www.lionsroar.com/you-are-already-a-buddha/
https://www.lionsroar.com/existence-nonexistence-teachings-on-dzogchen/
https://www.lionsroar.com/see-the-true-nature-then-let-go-and-relax-in-that/
https://www.lionsroar.com/approaching-the-guru/
https://www.lionsroar.com/true-blessings/
https://www.lionsroar.com/visualizing-a-pure-and-perfect-world/
https://www.lionsroar.com/developing-pure-perception-through-visualization/
https://www.lionsroar.com/you-are-avalokiteshvara/
https://www.lionsroar.com/enlightenment-in-female-form/
https://www.lionsroar.com/oh-tara-protect-us/
https://www.lionsroar.com/how-to-do-green-tara-practice/
https://www.lionsroar.com/simple-man-extraordinary-yogi-the-life-of-patrul-rinpoche/
https://www.lionsroar.com/another-reality/
https://www.lionsroar.com/the-natural-liberation-of-habits/
https://www.lionsroar.com/mind-is-empty-and-lucid-its-nature-is-great-bliss/
https://www.lionsroar.com/without-center-or-limit/
https://www.lionsroar.com/take-charge-of-your-practice/
Comment by 28OzGlovez at 25/05/2024 at 21:02 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I’d definitely look at the different orders first (Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, Gelug, etc) and see if there’s a teacher online or in person that can help you start Ngondro in some given lineage.
I’d also do some research on the practice of Tonglen, while sending prayers for a lama/guru to appear in your life while you wait.
It’s a ocean of teachings out there like others have said, and I don’t think you can go wrong in doing some research on the different orders of Tibetan Buddhism, starting a Ngondro, and practicing Tonglen and counting breaths meditation as your first step. And of course, building up the habit of dedicating your merit of whatever Dharma practice/being a good person lol
Hope this helps, may all beings benefit
Comment by SamtenLhari3 at 25/05/2024 at 17:10 UTC
0 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Indestructible Truth by Reginald Ray is a good introduction to Vajrayana.