2007-02-28 06:06:10 · 15 answers · asked by Lesley P 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The best thing to do is to get down to your local library and get a couple of books out - there will be lots of intorductory guides that have loads of information. Have fun learning!
2007-02-28 06:08:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, it's spelled Buddhism, not 'Buddisim' ... and the 'best way' for you to 'learn about' this is to go to a good bookstore and take out a few books about 'Buddhism' ... starting with a 'good translation' of the Tao Te Ching, as well as some 'history' books about the 'life of Buddha' ... while the Tao Te Ching is not 'Buddhist' totally, the 'philosophy' you can learn from it, and also many of the 'sayings' are the same ... and if you can, you should go to a Buddhist Temple to 'worship' ... but call ahead and find out if they will take a 'total beginner' and if they have a good 'guru' they can give to you ... a good guru will become your 'spiritual teacher' and virtually 'hold your hand' as you progress deeper into Buddhism. And Buddhism is not 'a religion' per se ... if you 'do it right' it's a whole 'lifestyle change' ... and if you do 'become Buddhist' for awhile, but decide to leave it and join any other religion, there are things that you'll learn while you are a Buddhist that will 'stay with you' and help you to 'advance' through whatever religion you are 'in' for the rest of your life.
2007-02-28 06:20:20 · answer #2 · answered by Kris L 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My favorite author on Buddhism is Thich Nhat Hanh. I find his writing very accessible and informative for someone starting out. His books were written with a western audience in mind. Anything by the Dalai Lama is great as well. You should be able to find some at the library and if they don't carry it you can ask the librarian about getting from another library for you. Most bookstores with a religion section would carry it as well and his books are available on amazon.
Another option is to find out if you have a Buddhist meditation center or temple near you or a Unitarian Universalist Church where you could ask if they have a Buddhist group. Mine did and I attended some of their individual group meetings where they discussed Buddhist philosophy. It was great.
2007-02-28 06:16:56 · answer #3 · answered by Zen Pirate 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have typical Western views on religion, I highly recommend the book
"The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living" by the Dalai Lama and Howard C. Culter.
I read this book last summer and thoroughly enjoyed the Buddhist perspective to living life, and learned much about the religion. It is a good start, and from there you could read more books by the Dalai Lama or about Buddhist teachings.
2007-02-28 06:33:17 · answer #4 · answered by saria 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buddhism is radically different from the conventional western ways of looking at the world. You can learn about it superficially from books, but if you want to understand it, you need a teacher.
You might be able to find a meditation group in your area or at least a university course.
There are many schools of Buddhism, with different emphases and teachings. It's an amazing realm to explore.
2007-02-28 06:14:04 · answer #5 · answered by The angels have the phone box. 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Go to Amaravati.org
This is the website of the Sangha (Buddhist order) in Britain, or at least some of them. At this site you will find plenty of useful links and also where you can visit a Buddhist monastery where you will be left entirely to yourself unless you ask for help! No-one will shove anything down your neck and you are welcome to stay a while and get the feel of what Buddhism is about.
2007-03-01 04:12:20 · answer #6 · answered by Roger M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations. Plenty of Books in the library and no doubt plenty to be found on the world wide web too.
2007-02-28 06:09:57 · answer #7 · answered by The Best 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
chant. noneo ho ren ga co .over and over and over for half an hour 3 times a day
remember.Bad actions or Iron shackles and good actions or golden chains
we will continue to be on the wheel of the awagiwon till we balance our karma.
when you chant let go of all thoughts.
2007-02-28 06:12:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Buy a book about Buddha's life. The story of his life is all you need to know. If you want to be like the buddha, just copy a statue of the buddha and sit still. If you can not stay like that for long just try again when you are feeling like you are ready.
2007-02-28 06:09:30 · answer #9 · answered by erime 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
There is probably a Buddhist temple near you. You can go there. They are friendly and love visitors with questions.
2007-02-28 06:10:39 · answer #10 · answered by Nathan D 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋