Tibetan Buddhism?

SomeSayInFire

I'm very intrested in this path, and have started to try my absolute best in following the beliefs, but being on my own in a very christian town makes it difficult. Is there anything I should know? Or need to know? Any tips?
Its very much appreciated! Thank you. Keep in mind, I am only 15 when you read this. So if I say anything silly, you know why.

fivebells

Wake Up To Your Life is an excellent overview of the practice of Tibetan Buddhism, suitable for solitary study (but solitary study is slow and hard; as that book says repeatedly, you need a teacher. But it doesn't have to be someone you meet in person on a regular basis.) It doesn't have too much to say about the beliefs, because Buddhist practice leads to a state of mind which does not depend on beliefs.

Looks like it's on special at that website, too. ($7.50, whereas it's $35 on the author's website. Better hurry! I informed the author, so if it's not legit, it won't last long. )

Subjectivity9

SSIF,

All paths start where you are, and move along as you begin to see things a bit more clearly, at the exact right pace. Trusting yourself is a very important ingredient. So just relax and enjoy the ride. It is a great adventure.


Warm Regards,
S9

jinzang

I've tried to put some helpful teachings online. There are many other sites, but it's hard for me to put myself in the shoes of a new practitioner these days.

FoibleFull

I would recommend reading Good Life Good Death by Gehlek Rimpoche (available in many bookstores, either from the shelf or by order ... it's a paperback so it's not too expensive).

This book will not give you details, but it is an superb book for giving you the solid foundation on the overall approach of Tibetan Buddhism (having the details without grasping the overall attitudes is not of much value, and you can easily pick up the details off the internet). It is also ... thankfully ... an easy, conversation read, much like you sitting and listening to him in person.

I understand that the author, who has a center (Jewel Heart) in Michigan, offers on-line live teachings (or something like that), but there's a fee to join. Guess you'd have to search on the net.

David_2009

I'd recommend 'Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism' by John Powers (here's another link to the publisher's page on it, I'm not sure if the Amazon one is an earlier edition or not, as the front cover looks different to the one I brought (my one looks like the one shown on the Snow Lion Publications site)).

It's not really about practicing, and comes more from an academic perspective, but, he writes in a readable way (like, not making you fall asleep!), and is really in depth, and sympathetic to the tradition.

Palzang

No, you must immediately run away and join a monastery in India! Or Nepal!

Just kidding! I think what others have said is good advice. Just study as much as you can for now, learn what you can, start some sort of practice that you can do on your own, like meditating. I would also point out that we have about 200 videos online by my teacher, an American female teacher of Tibetan Buddhism, that you can watch any time. Just go here if you're interested. (I think I got the URL right. Let me know if it doesn't work. I'm at work and can't check it right now).

Hey, and don't feel bad about being alone in a Xian town! I grew up in similar circumstances, the difference being that there was no Buddhism to speak of in the US at that time, and the internet hadn't even been dreamed of yet! Yet somehow I seem to have done all right...

Palzang

SomeSayInFire

Thanks!
Every one of your answers means a lot. All have different points, that help different problems, but all have the same basic message. Great minds think alike I guess.