Discussion Forum Discussion Forum

Books and Websites

complete begginers

complete begginers
Answer
2/13/10 2:26 PM
Hello there!

What book-web-whatever would you recommend to a complete beginner?

In my ideal world MCTB is the first book you read, but probably most of the people would be slightly scared (or maybe not?).

I thought of Path With a Heart, but for someone that doesnt really know what he/she is looking for (so can't assume how "hard hitting and technical" it is) it may be a bit too based in love and hippy things. And many people is put off by this (me included).

Cheers!

RE: complete beginners
Answer
2/13/10 10:20 PM as a reply to Andy Coke.
Keeping in mind that the person can go on to read anything else afterwards, I think I'd still go with MCTB.

Nothing wrong with getting a little scared.

I'd also send them over to Shinzen Young's The Science of Enlightenment.

RE: complete begginers
Answer
2/14/10 12:28 AM as a reply to Andy Coke.
Perhaps the most classic book to begin with would be Walpola Rahula's What the Buddha Taught. Written from the perspective of a practicing Buddhist monastic, it takes on the feel of the original material while delving into several questions that most people have who are looking into Buddhism for the first time.

It was while reading this book, which endeavors to present the teaching in an unvarnished and straightforward manner, that I was able to remove some of the misconceptions I had about the practice and to begin to gain some insight into the importance of contemplating the five aggregates of personality view. It is a very worthwhile introduction to the study of the Dhamma as well as presenting highlights of the teachings backed up with quotes from the discourses.

RE: complete begginers
Answer
2/14/10 12:53 AM as a reply to Andy Coke.
Maybe Hardcore Zen? Ha ha.

RE: complete begginers
Answer
2/14/10 6:02 PM as a reply to Ian And.
Thanks a lot!

RE: complete begginers
Answer
5/30/10 11:40 PM as a reply to Andy Coke.
Among others...

The Issue at Hand: Essays on Buddhist Mindfulness Practice
by Gil Fronsdal. You can read it here: Link

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind
by Shunryu Suzuki

RE: complete begginers
Answer
6/12/10 7:29 PM as a reply to Peter G. Nau.
I like Mindfulness in Plain English or A Path with Heart as starter books.

D