i want to learn about Buddhism..any ideas???

Question

Can u recomend me some books to learn more about buddhism and it's roots....

I am a baptized Christian....but in order to be able to choose wisely....be sure to know all the others.....Asia and the Buddhism is a culture of centuries.....long before the States where born......so please open ur minds....i don't say believe...but learn....just for wisdom......everyone has something to teach us....i bet Buda does to.....so don't be an intolerant prick

Answer 1

there are actually a few books that sound bad but are pretty ok for the basic facts, such as Buddhism for Dummies. I can tell you the very general ideas of Buddhism. Buddha, was a prince in India who reached enlightenment. You can read about how he realized his path into enlightenment from simple books about Buddhism or even sites like Wikipedia. One must remember, however, people believe he didn't reach enlightenment during his lifetime, but had been practicing Buddhist ways over his many lives.

There are two main "schools" in Buddhism - Hinayana and Mahayana. Hinayana Buddhism is known as the "lesser vehicle" - as named by the Mahayana Buddhists; and Mahayana - "greater vehicle". Most people practice Mahayana Buddhism nowadays. The key difference is that Hinayana Buddhism focuses generally on self achievement of enlightenment, and Mahayana Buddhism focuses on compassion and collective enlightenment.

Buddhism believes that life is suffering. Some call Buddhists pessimists, but Buddhists see it as a reminder of how we can make our lives and others lives better. The final step to be free from suffering is when one enters Nirvana. When one enters Nirvana, s/he will not have to go through the pain of reincarnation. Before attaining Nirvana, one approaches a level known as Boddhisattva. Some Boddhisattvas have sworn not to become Buddhas until they have helped all living beings achieve Buddhahood. To achieve Buddha-hood, one has to follow the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. More information on this is widely available through online sources and books. Buddhists believe that everyone has the seed to become Buddha.

Mahayana Buddhism, again, can be subdivided into different schools - the most widely known school is Zen Buddhism. Others include Tian Tai Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism, and many more. Depending on which you find easier and more acceptable, you can follow that specific school by looking for teachers. How you could approach that, I really don't know, but visiting a monastery could help. To show you a common example of the differences of the diff, schools of Buddhism: Zen Buddhism does not emphasize on the education of prayers and but Pure Land Buddhism does. It depends on your own take on it, really, to determine which school you want to follow - alternatively, you don't need to follow any schools.

In any case, I personally have a favorite writer. His name is Thich Nacht Hanh. Here is a link that provides more info and a few ebooks about Buddhism.

Answer 2

Check out the Idiot's Guide to ... and Buddhism for Dummies.

I really think these are good places to start, because they examine the different offshoots, and of course take an objective approach.

Answer 3

"Siddhartha" by Herman Hesse

"Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" by Shunryu Suzuki-roshi

You can do plenty of online reading. Just type in "roots of Buddhism" or "Zen Buddhism" or "Siddharth Gautama" or any of a number of things.

Answer 4

See wikipedia.

Answer 5

http://www.buddhanet.net/
http://member.melbpc.org.au/~grjallen/buddha.htm <<< buddhist quotes
http://www.lamayeshe.com/index.shtml <<< lama yeshe
http://www.geocities.com/breath1life/chah.html << http://www.plumvillage.org/teachings/DharmaTalkTranscripts/TranscriptsOfSelectedDT.htm <<< Thich Nhat Hanh's Teachings
http://www.sutramanga.com/e_index.html <<< sutra manga
http://www.serve.com/~cmtan/buddhism/index.html <<< lighter side of buddhism
http://www.ordinarymind.com/index.html <<< ordinary mind zendo

Answer 6

http://www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/buddhaintro.html....check this site to know some history abt buddhism

Answer 7

check the local dump

Answer 8

BUDDHISM IS THE SEARCH FOR TRUTH, CHRISTIANITY IS THE TRUTH.!

Answer 9

well i mean search on the internet and libaray...i really don't no a specific book...or sometihing...like really..