Trying to learn more about Buddhism. Any advice?

Honesty · 10-20-2007, 07:58 AM

I'm really interested in Buddhism. From what I know about it I think it's definitely something I'd like to get in to..and perhaps visit some local meetings or read some useful books or something.

I don't want to spark some religious debate..but I've tried Christianity and it didn't feel right. I didn't get a ''right'' feeling from being in church..I tried to read the Bible..I just didn't believe it. No disrespect to anybody that does I respect your beliefs. Buddhism just feels more ''right'' to me..from what I know about it.

Any advice or help?

Thankyou.

itsallgrand · 10-20-2007, 08:08 AM

I'm not religious myself and have found Buddhism interesting and helpful on some counts. At the least, a fresh perspective that is often lacking in other areas.

I'd suggest an intro into the history and philosophy/basic concepts behind Buddhism. Rather than jumping in.

But then, I am not Buddhist. My bro considers himself a buddhist and has been going at it for a lot of years now. He often says "meditate". lol.

And he likes the Pali Canon. I find it ...dry.

Timebandit · 10-20-2007, 08:18 AM

Even if you don't like the religious (or metaphysical) parts theres still a great deal to learn from buddhism. While I don't consider myself a buddhist, I am heavily influenced by buddhist thinking, and it is having an immense impact on my life. It makes me more calm, less worried and probably also more compassionate.

One of the more accessible writers into buddhism is Thich Nhat Hanh. You might want to check out some of his books.

Good luck on the journey

Honesty · 10-20-2007, 08:24 AM

Thankyou for your responses. That's a good idea itsallgrand..to look in to the history opposed to just jumping in.

TimeBandit: That's PRECISELY what I love about Buddhism..the calmness, the compassion ect.

I don't ever intend on being 100% religious but would appreciate some influence and I think Buddhism is beautiful.

Thankyou again for your responses, I appreciate it.

jettison · 10-20-2007, 12:26 PM

Go to Amazon. Type in Buddhism. Research.

This is the simplest way. A lot of people call Buddhism "the non-religion". It makes sense. There is no God. There's really no "magic" like in other faiths. It's timeless, and whether you're Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, whatever... it makes little difference because you will still have plenty to gain by reading about Buddhism and practicing the techniques.

comfyshoes · 10-21-2007, 08:25 AM

H,
i am a Buddhist and also dwell on your little island.
PM me any time and i'll do my best to help you out

under_my_amberella · 10-21-2007, 08:27 AM

i'm not a buddhist, but I would think that you might start by visiting a temple.

10-20-2007, 07:58 AM	#1
Honesty Offline Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: U.K Gender: Female Age: 23 Posts: 365	Trying to learn more about Buddhism. Any advice? I'm really interested in Buddhism. From what I know about it I think it's definitely something I'd like to get in to..and perhaps visit some local meetings or read some useful books or something. I don't want to spark some religious debate..but I've tried Christianity and it didn't feel right. I didn't get a ''right'' feeling from being in church..I tried to read the Bible..I just didn't believe it. No disrespect to anybody that does I respect your beliefs. Buddhism just feels more ''right'' to me..from what I know about it. Any advice or help? Thankyou. __________________ I guess I could be peed off about what happened to me, but its hard to stay mad when theres so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, & it's too much. My heart fills like a balloon thats about to burst. Then I remember to relax & stop trying to hold on to it, & then it flows through me like rain, & I feel nothing but gratitude for every moment of my stupid life.

10-20-2007, 08:08 AM	#2
itsallgrand Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: following my grace... Gender: None Specified Posts: 6,798	I'm not religious myself and have found Buddhism interesting and helpful on some counts. At the least, a fresh perspective that is often lacking in other areas. I'd suggest an intro into the history and philosophy/basic concepts behind Buddhism. Rather than jumping in. But then, I am not Buddhist. My bro considers himself a buddhist and has been going at it for a lot of years now. He often says "meditate". lol. And he likes the Pali Canon. I find it ...dry. __________________ "The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off." Mal Pancoast

10-20-2007, 08:24 AM	#4
Honesty Offline Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: U.K Gender: Female Age: 23 Posts: 365	Thankyou for your responses. That's a good idea itsallgrand..to look in to the history opposed to just jumping in. TimeBandit: That's PRECISELY what I love about Buddhism..the calmness, the compassion ect. I don't ever intend on being 100% religious but would appreciate some influence and I think Buddhism is beautiful. Thankyou again for your responses, I appreciate it. __________________ I guess I could be peed off about what happened to me, but its hard to stay mad when theres so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, & it's too much. My heart fills like a balloon thats about to burst. Then I remember to relax & stop trying to hold on to it, & then it flows through me like rain, & I feel nothing but gratitude for every moment of my stupid life.

10-20-2007, 12:26 PM	#5
jettison Online Platinum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: West Bay Posts: 4,969	Go to Amazon. Type in Buddhism. Research. This is the simplest way. A lot of people call Buddhism "the non-religion". It makes sense. There is no God. There's really no "magic" like in other faiths. It's timeless, and whether you're Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, whatever... it makes little difference because you will still have plenty to gain by reading about Buddhism and practicing the techniques. __________________ A unique opportunity... If you were at the deathbed of a woman you secretly loved all your life but whom you never had the courage to tell and then she tells you that she secretly loved you all these years, what a great opportunity that would be to practice your "poker face." "I wish someone knew me. I’d pick them apart and find out who I am." - Equestrian Dynamo

10-21-2007, 08:25 AM	#6
comfyshoes Offline Gold Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: standing on the shoulders of giants Gender: Female Age: 34 Posts: 553	H, i am a Buddhist and also dwell on your little island. PM me any time and i'll do my best to help you out __________________ "stone is not what makes a prison" IM

10-20-2007, 08:18 AM	#3
Timebandit Online Platinum Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Gender: Male Age: 36 Posts: 1,120	Even if you don't like the religious (or metaphysical) parts theres still a great deal to learn from buddhism. While I don't consider myself a buddhist, I am heavily influenced by buddhist thinking, and it is having an immense impact on my life. It makes me more calm, less worried and probably also more compassionate. One of the more accessible writers into buddhism is Thich Nhat Hanh. You might want to check out some of his books. Good luck on the journey

10-21-2007, 08:27 AM	#7
under_my_amberella Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Gender: Female Age: 28 Posts: 5,036	i'm not a buddhist, but I would think that you might start by visiting a temple.