Buddhism way of life? Where to start?

Question

I have been really interested in learning more about the buddhism.Everything I learned so far about the religion and buddhist way of life made sence to me,but I dont have any buddhist organization nearby and dont know where or how I can start practicing or learn more about it. Any advice?

Answer 1

Hi Veronika, There might just be a temple or monastery or centre near you. This is a link from buddhanet.net that lists places, take a look and see if there's one near you: http://www.buddhanet.net/worlddir.htm .

Online:
www.accesstoinsight.org
www.buddhanet.net
www.bhavanasociety.org
http://www.bodhimonastery.net/talks_audio.html

Books / Magazine:
a) The Buddhist Handbook by John Snelling. This book covers the history, the core teachings, the various traditions/schools/sects and in the back, a directory of places to visit for further help
b) What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula
c) Sitting: A Guide to Buddhist Meditation by Diana St. Ruth
d) Buddhadharma Magazine: A Practicioner's Quarterly

If your computer can play online video, there's a short explanation of the Buddha's teachings by a resident monk from Bhavana Society (West Virginia) at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=776058628643594255&q=what+the+buddha+taught

May you be well and with peace.

Answer 2

First step:
"... give up pride... "
- Buddha -

Then read, knowledge is the raft you use to reach Nirvana, read everything you can, but be ready to throw it out when the time comes. Do not become attached to the idea of knowledge, it is a dangerous trap to fall into. First readin: the four noble truths. Found in any important Buddhist Tripitaka

Answer 3

Buddhism depends more on understanding than faith.

Simply speaking, this is to avoid harming others and to help them as much as possible. Another way of expressing this is, Abandon negative action; create perfect virtue; subdue your own mind. This is the teaching of the Buddha. By abandoning negative actions (killing, etc.) and destructive motivations (anger, attachment, close-mindedness, etc.), we stop harming ourselves and others. By creating perfect virtue, we develop beneficial attitudes, like impartial love and compassion, and do actions motivated by these thoughts. By subduing our mind, we cut away all false projections, thus making ourselves calm and peaceful by understanding reality.

The essence of Buddha’s teachings is also contained in the three principles of the path: definite emergence, the dedicated heart and wisdom realizing emptiness. Initially, we seek definitely to emerge from the confusion of our problems and their causes. Then, we see that other people also have problems, and with love and compassion, we dedicate our heart to becoming a Buddha so that we are capable of helping others extensively. In order to do this, we develop the wisdom understanding the real nature of ourselves and other phenomena.

Answer 4

Well start with the mother of bhuddism (remember bhuddha was a hindu)which is hinduism since the concepts of illusion ,karma,maya ,niryana everything were taken from it and explained in a way all the above words have origin in sanskrit and were discussed in depth in vedas ,puranas and upanishads.

so follow the links and know it and than read the same from bhuddist books for a better understanding.

http://www.tri-murti.com/ancientindia/index.html

http://www.hinduwisdom.info/Hinduisms_influence.htm

Answer 5

The full Buddhist belief, and beyond, is explained in "Rational Spirituality" on the Dhaxem website.

Answer 6

I would suggest reading at Buddhistinformation or talking to people online that are Buddhist,
(points to self)
with metta,
Shinai_inaozuke

Answer 7

Do you really think that you are no one and this life is an illusion?? Do you really think that you are nothing and once you have achieved "Nirvana" that you will cease to exist?
I personally don't think so.

Answer 8

Pray.

Answer 9

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/index.html

Answer 10

look inward my son. only then can you find the magic of
badda bing badda boom and begin selling incense.........