What religious texts would help me understand the fundamentals Buddhism better?
score:4
Hi Tuxmachina and welcome to this path!
There are two books that were very important when I was struggling with getting acquainted with Buddhism.
The first book I read was the Dhammapada, which is a relatively short collection of saying and teachings directed to popular audiences, and which summerize a lot of the most important ideas of the Dhamma, in a rather poetic way. It is a nice introduction to classical buddhist thought, although it is not recognized as part of the earliest text. It was probably composed (according to some scholars) after the Buddha's demise.
Here you will find a online translation of the Dhammapada: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/index.html
The second book I could recommend is "In the Buddha's Words", written by Bhikkhu Bodhi, a Theravada monk and expert in the PΔli dialect. This book is a collection of the most important suttas (discourses, sermons and teachings) found in the PΔli Canon (the collection of suttas historically recognized by the Theravada tradition as authentic Buddha's words). The structure of the book is arranged considering some of the key aspects of the Buddha's life and teachings, and it is divided in chapters according to different doctrinal topics, and each chapter with a brief introduction written by Bhikkhu Bodhi himself. It is a long book, but I think it should not be read quickly, but gradually and with time and patience, and it is the best you can find (IMO) if you want to read directly from the source.
In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon (The Teachings of the Buddha) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XF1LIO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_2dbxCb0MRD47T
Here are some useful websites filled with suttas, essays, forums and wonderful introductions to Theravada Buddhism and Early Buddhist Texts: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/index.html https://suttacentral.net https://dhammawheel.com
And since we are in this digital era, I also recommend watching some YouTube channels if possible. Here you will find some of my favorites:
Yuttadhammo Bhikkhu's channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/yuttadhammo
Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFAuQ5fmYYVv5_Dim0EQpVA
Buddhist Society of Western Australia: https://www.youtube.com/user/BuddhistSocietyWA
Doug's Secular Dharma: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPIyEJzvW7SsbiIrooixjNA
1983dukkha: https://www.youtube.com/user/1983dukkha
Dhammanet: https://www.youtube.com/user/dhammanet
These channel contain sutta clases, dhamma talks, explanations from a secular point of view, guided meditations, etc. I should warn you that some of these wonderful teachers may have different views and interpretations on some doctrinal topics, so keep an open mind and a curious spirit to discern the most appropiate interpretation of the Buddha's teachings. Let experience, attention, analysis and wisdom be your best allies in this path.
And if you find yourself in doubts and confusion, don't hesitate about asking your question here. We all were (and are) still novices on this training and way of life.
Good luck in your path!
More post
- π What are the Three Trainings and how are they practical?
- π What does "sandhΔvitvΔ saαΉsaritvΔ" mean in AN 9.12?
- π what to do, when you can't meditate?
- π How to get to know the state of mind
- π Thought-sending in Tibetan Buddhism and other traditions
- π Is Buddhist practice a form of suicide?
- π What should a 11-17 years old Buddhist do?
- π pranayama unsettles my meditation practice
- π Three types of Raaga
- π Five Precepts - did Buddha really preach them?
- π How does enlightenment relate to the higher realms of existence?
- π Did the Buddha say anything about bullying?
- π What are great forty?
- π How to use inner feeling (intuitive feeling) while taking refuge
- π Which body of the Buddha belongs to the Buddha nature?
- π Why don't teachers just tell us the answers?
- π What does buddhism say about mind and heart?
- π Should one who follows the Dhamma give drugs to the dying to ease thier suffering?
- π Is our surroundings affecting our ability to concentrate the mind?
- π What are "Supernatural mental abilities" in relation to Buddhism?
- π How should I watch sensations in Vipassana meditation?
- π Which is the most read journal on Buddhism?
- π Is the Avatamsaka Sutra the only Buddhist scripture that talks about multiverse?
- π Δbhassara Brahma World for anyone?
- π Is luminous mind unconditioned and not impermanent?
- π How could craving be the habit of reification?
- π How to recognize stream entry?
- π Do the Abhidharma texts exist online in original format?
- π How/Why to be moral without believing God or any supernatural entity?
- π Did Gautama Buddha know his path?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- π What religious texts would help me understand the fundamentals Buddhism better?
- π What do Buddhists religious texts say about the environment?
- π Is Buddhism a syncretic religion, and then what would they say on the Abrahamaic religions?
- π Please help me to better understand the simile of the turner for the first part of the anapanasati instructions
- π What are the differences/similarities in the concept of faith as used in Buddhism and Christianity?
- π What are the texts that contain words which can be attributed directly to the Buddha?
- π What are the differences between "Nirvana" in Buddhism and "Moksha" in Hinduism?
- π What would Buddhists do to get rid of the feeling of insecurity in relationships?
- π I want to understand the technicality of rebirth and what happens to conditioned self
- π What Buddhist texts describe the doings of syncretized Hindu deities?
- π What is the object of Faith in Buddhism
- π On what basis does the 'right' in Buddhism come from?
- π Vajrayana Buddhism relies on a teacher-pupil relationship. What in tradition or the literature explains how to find the appropriate teacher?
- π What are the teachings in Buddhism for good social Social Health?
- π What was the reason behind the fall of Buddhism in India?
- π What would be the secular interpretation for the Assu Sutta and the Mata Sutta?
- π Can Buddhism help me escape the difficulties in my life?
- π What are the websites to learn Buddhism from start?
- π If you Consolidate the Satipatthana Instruction from the Tripitaka what would the additions and variation in Comparison to Maha Satipatthana Sutta
- π What impact has the Chinese Government had on Chinese Buddhism so far?
- π What does Buddhism say about the consequences of good and bad behaviour?
- π What is the difference between Yogacara Buddhism and Idealism?
- π What is the view of Buddhism in correcting others' view in spite of their willingness to accept it?
- π What is the quality and status of the Tripitaka texts at tipitaka.org?
- π What is the general view towards Triratna Buddhism from other schools?
- π How to explain to someone with no knowledge about Buddhism what is meant by "extinguishing" the self?
- π What texts in Buddhism should be read for understanding/ controlling these emotions?
- π What are the canonical texts for the Buddhisms of the world?
- π Why is swastika in buddhism is in this ε format and not in this ε format? What is the difference between the two? What is the meaning of each sign?
- π What does Buddhism teach about healing others through the mind