New Buddhist! xD

jujube1597

Just last night I became fascinated by this practice, and have decided to commit to it! I decided on Theravada (as I see most have) and had a few questions that I figured you all could help me with (I've read through many of these threads while waiting for my confirmation email!). First off, what sort of rituals are associated with Theravada? I've read of making an altar and doing offerings and obviously meditation, but I'm wondering if there are any others? Secondly, I read the Bodhicitta vows and was also wondering if these were related to Theravada. One last thing-what books and suttas should I pick up?

vinlyn

You can do lots of rituals, but I'll just tell you a quick story from one year when I was spending the summer in Thailand. I already considered myself somewhat of a Buddhist by that point, and I went to a temple and talked with a monk about how difficult it is in many areas in America to find a temple. He said, "Easy to learn about Buddhism, buy a book. Difficult to learn about yourself. Everything you see here -- the temple, the joss sticks, even the Buddha statue has nothing to do with Buddhism. Everything you need for Buddhism is here" (and he place his finger on my head).

I'm not saying to not get into the rituals...they may help focus your thoughts. But they are not necessary.

Best and luck, and welcome to the forum!

jujube1597

Thank you very much

I know the rituals are not necessary, but I believe they would help me connect to the practice and to myself. As a 17-year-old with depression, my life can be very overwhelming and this religion/philosophy/psychology just seems like the perfect answer-and I get to help others (my favorite thing)!

Thank you for saying that about the temple. I was also having a difficult time with that since there are none in my area and I don't have a car.

Thanks again!

compassionate_warrior

We usually recommend starting out with some kind of Buddhism for Beginners-type book. The Buddha said not to depend on rituals, they are just another form of attachment. You'll have plenty to keep you busy with reading, meditation, mindfulness practice, and contemplating the meaning of the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path. Stay with the basics for now, expand from there after you get the basics down.

vinlyn

And of course you have the benefit of being able to find so much online.

Just remember to be selective and use your best judgment...and you can pass along questions to people here.

Jeffrey

Your karma (network and connections and predispositions) will have some sway in what teachings fit with you. I recommend not hating on other traditions just focus on what makes sense to you and who you trust. Don't just read but also immediately start a meditation practice. Meditation with study is needed and is the time honored method.

person

Easy basic rituals a beginner can do are probably chanting of certain prayers or prostrations. I think chanting is more Theravada.

Bodhicitta is a mahayana concept so I don't think its practiced in Theravada.

Start with a beginner book on Buddhism and a simple daily meditation, even just 5 minutes a day is better than 2 hours once a week.

Arjquad

Welcome, as everyone else has said just read books and take it slowly even if that may be hard since I know that you'll just want to learn everything as soon as possible in order to know it all. But I am telling you right now, you will never know it all. There is so much to learn that you will never stop being a student. Also, ask questions, question everything you hear, see and read. Only you can tell yourself if something is correct or not. Buddhism is the only "religion" that I can think of that encourages you to question it and everything it teaches.

Don't be quick to choose a tradition, many people on here are part of one but just as many (like me) are not and that's ok. I take parts from every tradition and practice and incorporate them into my life as do many other people on here.

jujube1597

Thanks so much everyone!

jll

check out,
http://www.dhammawheel.com/

patbb

there are many books from ajahn brahm and ajahn chah.

once you are done with them i'd say you'll know what other books you'll want to pick up.

jujube1597

Thank you (: I realized what I think I really would like-preferably a book or maybe a website that really breaks down the Four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Path. Maybe that's all I really need for right now, especially since it applies to all traditions of Buddhism and maybe I'm not too sure about picking one.

jujube1597

Another thing to consider I guess-if any of you are undecided or just into general Buddhism, what do you study? I know it's a Mahayana thing to study the Lotus Sutra (that's the one I've heard most about), and a Theravada thing to study the Tipitaka.

person

I recommend not limiting yourself to a particular tradition. As you look around and learn you'll naturally gravitate towards one style or another. Even then its not a bad idea to study across traditions.

jujube1597

So what do I read in the meantime?

driedleaf

I agree with person, but if you are just looking for reading material about the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold path, you should check out accesstoinsight.org if you haven't already.

person

So what do I read in the meantime?

Any beginner book from any tradition. You don't have to officially follow a particular tradition to learn from it.

access to insight is a good therevada source.

View on Buddhism is a good Tibetan resource.

If you just want the basics.

jujube1597

Yeah View on Buddhism was the first one I looked at. Buddhanet has a bunch of eBooks so I'm going to use those-thanks again, everyone! :wave:

Jeffrey

@jujube1597, I bet people could recommend books as well. I could recommend books that I have enjoyed but I am not sure what would be right for you.

I think Mindfulness in Plain English is a good book for a type of meditation where you are very patient and developing a relationship with the mind that can be eye opening. It has a lot of detail regarding meditation. I also enjoyed another meditation book by Kathleen McDonald that explores meditation on certain ideas such as impermanence. A good book for exposure to transforming of suffering in real life experience is Start Where You Are by Pema Chodron. A good book for picking up a vibe of the poweful zen view is Zen Mind Beginners mind.

You have so much to choose from! I am happy for you for your search and inquisitiveness.

vinlyn

So what do I read in the meantime?

If you haven't already, I'd read the Wikipedia entries on the various schools of Buddhism and their traditions. There are other sources, of course.

The reason I suggest this is to get a broad overview of Buddhism from a non-Buddhist source that is probably not out to tear Buddhism (or a branch of Buddhism) down or build one up.