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Looking into Buddhism

ZaylZayl Veteran
edited October 2010 in Buddhism Basics
I've been looking around online, and so far Zen (Cha'an?) Buddhism seems to be the sect I am more in tune with, particularly what seems to be called Soto. However since I am uninformed of Buddhism in general, I am rather distrusting of random sources I find online. Thus I am looking for someone well-versed in Buddhism to show me where I can learn all about it, starting from the ground up. It's practices, ideals, etc. and most importantly the names. I have come across a multitude of subjects with names that mean nothing to me because I do not have the slightest clue of what they are. and the vast multitude of them makes googling each and every single one a good way to get a skewed view on the matter.

so in a nutshell; books, websites, people, lessons, and the like are what I seek. I know that what I ask is not an easy thing to do, so you know... I'm hoping people are up for asking questions as much as answering them, because I have no idea where to get started. And please excuse any ignorance I have on the matter, as I have never had the proper chance to learn. that is what I ask of you now. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Comments

  • est4elvisest4elvis
    edited September 2010
    I'm glad you posted this cos this is how I feel too! :) I am going to find 2 books in the library that are apparently good reads - Buddhism for dummies + The complete idiots guide to understanding buddhism. I am also looking for a class but not sure there are any near me. Anyway I have only been looking in to this for a week or so so sorry i cant give more advice but hope that helps + the people on here know loads so will help you (+ me!) more. hugs, est xx
  • Invincible_summerInvincible_summer Heavy Metal Dhamma We(s)t coast, Canada Veteran
    edited September 2010
    Buddhanet is great.
  • ZaylZayl Veteran
    edited September 2010
    Invincible_summer wrote: »
    Buddhanet is great.
    Thank you.

    I will take a good and long look through that site, though chances are good I will return with an array of questions.

    and est4elvis, it is my sincere pleasure to meet you. If I can help you in any manner, it would be my pleasure to do so. I also look forward to talking with you some more as well.
  • seeker242seeker242 Zen Florida, USA Veteran
    edited September 2010
    It's practices, ideals, etc. and most importantly the names.
    You should rephrase that and say: It's names, ideals, etc. and most importantly the practices. :)
  • FoibleFullFoibleFull Canada Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Go to this site and find a center near you. Or if there are none in your area, plan to take a holiday at least once a year to attend a center somewhere. Trying to learn skillful means of Buddhism without a qualified teacher is asking to misunderstand. The concepts and the practices of Buddhism do not come naturally to the Western mind.

    http://www.dharmanet.org/listings/
  • thickpaperthickpaper Veteran
    edited October 2010
    My advise, forget everything you know and know the The Four Noble Truths...
  • BarberBarber
    edited October 2010
    Does Buddhism really mean forget about everything you know?What outside of Buddhism could a Buddhist use in his/her everyday modern life. I want to find out so much about Buddhism but there are some things and feelings that i have which are most likely not too Buddhist which i doubt i could never leave behind nor would i want to.
  • ShiftPlusOneShiftPlusOne Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Barber, you don't HAVE to leave anything. You can take the benefits of Buddhism without committing to it 100 percent. As far as I am concerned, Buddhism is simply a science of kindness and mental well-being. The benefits will be reflected by how closely you follow the path. I have simply been meditating and getting to now the basic teachings and that is enough for me for now. I'd say have a go at meditating for as little as 15 minutes here and there.
  • thickpaperthickpaper Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Barber wrote: »
    Does Buddhism really mean forget about everything you know?What outside of Buddhism could a Buddhist use in his/her everyday modern life. I want to find out so much about Buddhism but there are some things and feelings that i have which are most likely not too Buddhist which i doubt i could never leave behind nor would i want to.

    Hi Barber, assuming you refer to my use of "forget everything" I probably should have said "forget everything you know about Buddhism" and start with the four noble truths.

    So many people new to buddhism have a very wrong idea about it (I know I did) and so as they learn they get confused (I know I did!).

    The Four Noble Truths encompass the totalitly of dharma:)

    namaste
  • BarberBarber
    edited October 2010
    This is good to know, bought a couple of books today and go to my first class this week. Still having trouble wrapping my head around the suffering part, i have no friends who are interested in Buddhism and haven´t told anyone that im really looking into this other than the wife. So for now the net and this site is where im getting my info from.
  • thickpaperthickpaper Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Barber wrote: »
    This is good to know, bought a couple of books today and go to my first class this week. Still having trouble wrapping my head around the suffering part...

    :)

    Suffering is the common translation of Dukka, but like many dharmic terms translated it by no means captures the essence. Other terms are stress and strain and conflict and dissapointment, but equally none of those captures it either.

    My personal favorite for "Dukka" is "inevitably negative experience" but as said, its best understood not by definition but by understanding The Four Noble Truths:)

    namaste
  • sukhitasukhita
    edited October 2010
    thickpaper wrote: »
    ..... The Four Noble Truths encompass the totalitly of dharma:) .....

    Absolutely. Everything in Buddhism should be seen in relation to these Four Noble Truths.... and be understood to be a part of these Truths. Well, that's my take on this. :)
  • ShutokuShutoku Veteran
    edited October 2010
    http://www.treeleaf.org/forum/index.php

    This is a Soto Zen online sangha, with a Roshi named "Jundo", an online meditation hall, the ability to have one on one talks with the roshi, and a forum similar to this one but more specifically Soto Zen. Basically it is a Soto Temple on your computer.

    Jundo is an excellent teacher and very easy to understand even without a great deal of previous knowledge of Buddhism. He is also very practical and down to earth.
    I'm not actually Soto per se (I did start out Soto, but without a teacher...gravitated to Shin because there is a local Shin Temple) but I highly recommend this site as a good place to learn.
  • ZaylZayl Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Shutoku wrote: »
    http://www.treeleaf.org/forum/index.php

    This is a Soto Zen online sangha, with a Roshi named "Jundo", an online meditation hall, the ability to have one on one talks with the roshi, and a forum similar to this one but more specifically Soto Zen. Basically it is a Soto Temple on your computer.

    Jundo is an excellent teacher and very easy to understand even without a great deal of previous knowledge of Buddhism. He is also very practical and down to earth.
    I'm not actually Soto per se (I did start out Soto, but without a teacher...gravitated to Shin because there is a local Shin Temple) but I highly recommend this site as a good place to learn.
    Oh wow thank you!
  • Floating_AbuFloating_Abu Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Zayl wrote: »
    I've been looking around online, and so far Zen (Cha'an?) Buddhism seems to be the sect I am more in tune with, particularly what seems to be called Soto. However since I am uninformed of Buddhism in general, I am rather distrusting of random sources I find online. Thus I am looking for someone well-versed in Buddhism to show me where I can learn all about it, starting from the ground up. It's practices, ideals, etc. and most importantly the names. I have come across a multitude of subjects with names that mean nothing to me because I do not have the slightest clue of what they are. and the vast multitude of them makes googling each and every single one a good way to get a skewed view on the matter.

    so in a nutshell; books, websites, people, lessons, and the like are what I seek. I know that what I ask is not an easy thing to do, so you know... I'm hoping people are up for asking questions as much as answering them, because I have no idea where to get started. And please excuse any ignorance I have on the matter, as I have never had the proper chance to learn. that is what I ask of you now. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

    Thank you in advance.

    Hi Zayl

    There are a lot of resources on the web.

    Some reputable ones are:

    Talks on Zen Practice and Meditation - Lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi

    Mountains and Rivers Order Monastery Teachings - Lineage of John Daido Loori Roshi

    Other sites:

    A Buddhist Library - Collection of Zen related teachings

    Daily Zen - fun site

    Zen, despite what anyone says, is not virtual, it is not related to online life or mere intellectual understanding. To understand Zen is a big mistake.

    I would encourage you, to look into real life Sanghas in reputable lineages. There is a reason that lineage matters in the school of Ch'an ie Zen Buddhism. A good teacher can save you a lot of time.

    However your journey goes, best wishes.
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