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Book recommendations?

jasdawn5jasdawn5
edited August 2012 in Buddhism Basics
I've just recently become interested in learning more about Buddhism and would like some really good introductory book recommendations. Also, any groups, websites, forums, etc would be much appreciated!

Comments

  • JasonJason God Emperor Arrakis Moderator
    My response from a similar thread:

    Food for the Heart was one of my early favourites. In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon and An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices might also be good places to start. I'd also recommend What the Buddha Taught and What the Buddha Thought (although I prefer the latter). And if you're looking for free stuff, Access to Insight has a huge selection of suttas, as well as book, essays, and study guides by various authors.
  • JasonJason God Emperor Arrakis Moderator
    edited August 2012
    Other good sites and forums to check out are BuddhaNet, Dhamma Wheel, Dharma Wheel, Buddhism Without Boundaries, and Zen Forum International.
  • sovasova delocalized fractyllic harmonizing Veteran
    I have been reading various books on the topic for a little over a year now, and I think one book that is really awesome is called Sit Down and Shut Up by an ex punk rocker from Akron, Ohio who moved to Japan. He studied Zen from his college years onward. He writes in a really awesome and jovial way. I think it is a great read for anyone interested in learning about Buddhism =)

    His name is Brad Warner and this is the book:
    amazon.com/Sit-Down-Shut-Up-Commentaries/dp/1577315596/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346355536&sr=8-1&keywords=sit+down+and+shut+up

    From the description on the back cover:

    In 2003 Brad Warner blew the top off the Buddhist world with his irreverent autobiography/manifesto Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies, and the Truth about Reality. Now, in Sit Down and Shut Up, Brad tackles one of the great works of Zen literature, Shobogenzo (Treasury of the Right Dharma Eye) by thirteenth-century Zen master Dogen.

    Illuminating Dogen's enigmatic teachings in plain language, Brad intertwines musings on sex, meditation, death, God, sin, and happiness with an exploration of the punk rock ethos. In chapters such as "Evil Is Stupid," "Kill Your Anger," and "Enlightenment Is For Sissies," Brad melds the antiauthoritarianism of punk with that of Zen, mixing in a travelogue of his triumphant return to Ohio to play in a reunion concert of Akron punk bands. For those drawn to Buddhist teachings but scared off by their stiff austerity, Brad writes wit ha sharp smack of truth, in teachings and stories that cut to the heart of reality.

  • KangarooKangaroo
    @sova I actually have this on my bookshelf but I have not read it yet. Maybe I'll take it with me to the beach today. Thanks for the reminder and suggestion.
  • sovasova delocalized fractyllic harmonizing Veteran
    Kangaroo said:

    @sova I actually have this on my bookshelf but I have not read it yet. Maybe I'll take it with me to the beach today. Thanks for the reminder and suggestion.

    No problem man, enjoy :)
  • BunksBunks Australia Veteran
    Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen is a great book
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