I am interested in learning more about Buddhism. I would like to know the basic beliefs, practices, and history and how someone would go about converting or how to practice this religion. I would like some ideas on literature which is fairly straightforward and not too dry. I know absolutely nothing about this faith, so it would have to be fairly elementary in its explanations as well. Thanks.
2007-01-19 02:28:44 · 10 answers · asked by Whiskey Tango Foxtrot 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, there is a Buddhism for Dummies. It's not bad, either.
2007-01-19 02:34:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If Jesus was a real person, I would think so. The trade routes with Asia would have gone through that area of the middle east. It would be possible for people to learn and then blend Teachings together. The Tao Te Ching, which was written at least 500 years before Jesus, Says something to the effect that the path of the wise is Narrow, but the path of the fool is wide. Does that sound familiar? Christianity is a mix of many other religions anyway. Shoot the Jews once believed in many gods. They slowly accepted one god when the battle of "my god is tougher than yours." yielded a victor among the Jews.
2016-05-24 06:49:47 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buddha
by Karen Armstrong
Published by Penguin Group
2001
Historical book about the life of the first Buddha Gautama Sidarta, their first followers and his first mediation's, positions etc., the why and how he became Buddha and establish Buddhism, first Nirvana's.
I recommend you this book because It gives you a better understanding, historically and philosophically, in literature style, no pictures, jeje
2007-01-21 10:00:13 · answer #3 · answered by erik m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, Buddhism is really more of a practical philosophy, not so much a religion. Buddha was very much against the idea of people looking up to him as a Deity. If he knew people would be worshiping statues of himself, he would have kept his mouth shut.
2007-01-19 02:34:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
As far as 'practice of the religion', it would be difficult for me to recommend. But, if you're interested in the teachings of Lord Buddha, you may want to start by reading the text and some discourse on Dhammapada.
Namaste
2007-01-19 02:34:54 · answer #5 · answered by cudala 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly...your best bet is probably to find a local monastery and go and ask questions. The monks are very good about it, and if you're fortunate enough to find a monk who is a native Westerner, so much the better. (I was taught by two monks from Tibet and one from South Carolina, and I must say, I would never have been able to get the Tibetans if not for learning from a Westerner first.)
Nice rundown specifically for Westerners here: http://www.longleaf.net/ggrow/Buddhism.html
2007-01-19 02:41:36 · answer #6 · answered by angk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to Buddhanet.net, look under the ebook library section, click on the general Buddhism ( http://buddhanet.net/ebooks_g.htm ). Download the eBook titled Good Questions, Good Answers, by Ven. S. Dhammika. I find it simple & good.
2007-01-19 23:54:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Idiots and/or Dummies. I've read both. They're quite good.
2007-01-19 02:40:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.bswa.org
The above site is better than any books.
They have:forum for beginners,experts,articles,audio,video,etc.
Also you will find Ajahn Bharm to be very cool.
2007-01-19 21:19:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anger eating demon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats is a tall order, but I have a website you can learn from.
2007-01-19 02:32:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋