Intro to Buddhism materials.....?

Question

Everything that I know about Buddhism (and its not much) come from what I have learned while chatting with other people - and I never to think to ask, but what are some good books to learn about the basics of the buddhist philosophy? Any good websites you could direct me to?
Thanks a bunch
Be well

Answer 1

BuddhaNet - Worldwide Buddhist information and Education Network

http://www.buddhanet.net/

Answer 2

check in text books that's where I learned all the stuff I know about buddhism

Answer 3

briefly here

http://www.11meditation.co.nr

for Theravada Buddhist religion

Answer 4

http://www.members.tripod.com/anattaO/
http://www.serve.com/~cmtan/buddhism/index.htm
http://www.tde.intl.com
http://www.dharmathecat.com
the first is a down to earth site
the second is for buddhist to laught at ourself,
the third is for you to post your comments
and last but not list is more humour,
Good luck and May Buddha be with you

Answer 5

Hi! I'm practicing Nichiren Buddhism.
This Buddhism really really make sense .
Through this practice, you can be the best you can be. And as one person's happiness inspires another,peace also spread from one person. Please check this website
www.sgi-usa.org
Hoping this will help you.

Answer 6

here's a good link

http://terebess.hu/english/tao.html

i enjoy zen the most, it s near the bottom. 101 zen stories was my intro into simple buddhist values

Answer 7

This one has some good info and links.

http://owen.bc.ca/Buddhism/

Answer 8

First i can give you a brief introduction about Buddhism.Then few great web sites as well.

Buddhism

Lord Buddha is the great teacher of Buddhism.
Lord Buddha did not represent another powerful invisible figure to preach his knowledge and was his own master. To the layman he taught how to live a good, sincere, happy and a purposeful life and proposed some guidelines to follow to achieve these objectives. Those who do good deeds are rewarded with positive results and vice versa he said. He also said those who want to improve the mind should practise to eliminate selfishness, hatred, anger and ignorance. He said right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration will lead to cessation of sorrow and to attain Nirvana the ultimate peace.

Lord Buddha was his own master and preached the knowledge he gained through enlightenment.He has reached the state of Buddha by improving his self doing merits and meditation for many years in his previous lives.
For the intellectuals he said the life is sorrow and taught the way to eliminate the sorrow, by enlightenment. Enlightenment could only be attained through improvement of knowledge thus the improvement of conscious or mind hence some consider it as a philosophy. Worshiping is not a requirement in Buddhism though many do it as a habit and a custom.

Long before Newton, Buddha said every action has a reaction including in all conscious deeds. Those who do good deeds shall be rewarded with positive results and those who do harmful actions (with a evil intension) may experience in adverse results. The results of our righteous or sinful deeds Buddha said shall follow our soul in subsequent lives. Apart from heaven and hell he also said there are other forms of lives after this life.

Just like in thousands of present day books which provide self improvement techniques. Buddha provided an enormous amount of advice to the layman to improve one's self. He said selfishness, hatred, anger and ignorance prevent one from self improvement. One who want to improve the mind should learn to eliminate these four status of mind. He said right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration will lead to cessation of Sorrow.


Buddha is said to have supernatural powers such as reading others thoughts.He has gain those abilities through meditation. We already know some people possess super natural powers and extra ordinary abilities. Such status could be achieved by improving one's mind thought it is not the ultimatum of the Buddhism. Self improvement or the learning process since the childhood is a way of improving our mind or thinking. It is by improvement of one's mind that the truth could be understood.

It is up to the individual who follows Buddhism to understand and practice what Lord Buddha had taught.Understanding and practicing is important for self improvement.
The Lord Buddha has shown the way.It is our own responsibility to follow it and understand the truth.

Buddhists are practicing 3 major merits in their lives.

they are

1. Dana ( Giving & helping humans and animals. )

2.Sheela ( preventing from doing sins like killing ,stealing,adultery etc..)

3.Bhavana ( The improvement in mindfulness and wisdom by practicing Meditation.)

From these practices they are trying to give up desires step by step and coming closer to the state of ultimate freedom NIRAVANA.

When you giveup your lust,anger,fear,hatret your minfd becomes more clear and calm.It is improved by meditation.

One fine day when You understand the truth by your self which was shown by Lord Buddha you will find the ultimate peace.

http://www.metta.lk/

http://www.bswa.org/

Answer 9

THEE BEST BOOK The Budda in your Mirror!!,,,,,,in the book there is SGI.com,,,,good starting place!

Answer 10

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism

http://buddhism.about.com/

http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Buddhism/footsteps.htm