Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In Register
Examples: Monday, today, last week, Mar 26, 3/26/04
Welcome home! Please contact lincoln@icrontic.com if you have any difficulty logging in or using the site. New registrations must be manually approved which may take several days. Can't log in? Try clearing your browser's cookies.

Resource suggestion

dannydanny
edited February 2010 in Buddhism Basics
Hi all!

So I have been trying not to mention much of my Buddhist study to my wife because I didn't want to 'pressure' or coerce her to get into it, but tonight she started expressing a genuine interest. I have gathered information from several good locations and continue to piece together an understanding of the dharma. She asked me if there was a book she could read that really breaks down the dharma in a way she could understand it, and I wasn't sure what to recommend. I have read several great books, but I can't think of any one particular resource that would be perfect for her. Can anybody think of a book written by a Western author that can help her to understand the basic dharma teachings?

Thank you for your input!

Comments

  • samantabhadrasamantabhadra
    edited February 2010
    Thich naht hanh is awesome anything by him would be great. But my favorites would be true love, and the energy of prayer
    The Dali lama is also great. How to see yourself as you realy are is good
    The three pillars of zen is one of the greatest books ive ever read.
    The dhamapada is accesable to the western mind I think.
    I like shambalas the sacred path of the warrior by Chogyam Trungpa.
    I've also herad good things about Zen mind beginners mind

    Hope this helps I loved all of them
    Peace
  • BrotherBobBrotherBob
    edited February 2010
    books and videos by Thubten Chodron are very good check out her web site or Sravasti Abbey's web site for her stuff.
  • MatSaltedMatSalted
    edited February 2010
    danny wrote: »
    Hi all!

    So I have been trying not to mention much of my Buddhist study to my wife because I didn't want to 'pressure' or coerce her to get into it, but tonight she started expressing a genuine interest. I have gathered information from several good locations and continue to piece together an understanding of the dharma. She asked me if there was a book she could read that really breaks down the dharma in a way she could understand it, and I wasn't sure what to recommend. I have read several great books, but I can't think of any one particular resource that would be perfect for her. Can anybody think of a book written by a Western author that can help her to understand the basic dharma teachings?

    Thank you for your input!

    Hi Danny

    I had a similar thing with my wife a few years ago, ones partner should be the last person one tried to "convert". Over time, just by talking, she has fully come round to Dharma - I mean, how could you not?:)

    In terms of Books I think What the Buddha taught is the best (I have read zillions). it is non dogmatic, nonesoteric, clear and very well accepted as the definitive Therevadan introduction and it has some great texts in the appendix, including suttras and selections from the Dharmapada.

    My Sri Lankan Buddhist freinds also rate it as the "best".

    HH the Dalai Lamma writes wonderfully on buddhism but tends to sear clear of the doctrine.

    Biku Bhodhi's "The Noble Eightfold Path" is also a good introduction to the Middle Way but WTBT is IMHO, the best by far:)



    Well wishes

    Mat
  • solowritersolowriter
    edited February 2010
    As a noob, I especially find Pema Chodron and Thubten Chodron's books and audios to be very helpful.
Sign In or Register to comment.