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Study Plan on Buddhism

BlackFlagBlackFlag
edited October 2010 in Buddhism Basics
Hey all,

I'm really trying to delve completely into the experience of learning and practicing Buddhism. But besides mediating (or trying to) I want to supplement it with lots and lots of reading.

So what I'm curious to know is, if you were a teacher of Buddhism, whichever branch of sect you happen to belong to, what would be the first thing you start off teaching?

Comments

  • AlfonsoAlfonso
    edited October 2010
    BlackFlag wrote: »
    Hey all,

    I'm really trying to delve completely into the experience of learning and practicing Buddhism. But besides mediating (or trying to) I want to supplement it with lots and lots of reading.

    So what I'm curious to know is, if you were a teacher of Buddhism, whichever branch of sect you happen to belong to, what would be the first thing you start off teaching?
    What I normally do is an historical introduction to buddhism, starting by the life of Siddartha Gautama, the first teachings, etc.
    What I'd do is to follow the order of the three turnings of the wheel of dharma, trying to teach them from their own perspective and tradition, that is to say: when I start explaining the first times/days I'd not speak of things like Buddha-nature unless completely necessary. Also, I like to recommend What the Buddha Taught by Sri Walpola Rahula, and specific articles on http://www.berzinarchives.com/ and also http://www.accesstoinsight.org/

    And as complementary bibliography I like to recommend videos on youtube with a duration of like 10 minutes like Dalai Lama on Shunyata, 4 nobles truths according to Dzogchen by Khenchen Sherab Rinpoche, etc.
  • NamelessRiverNamelessRiver Veteran
    edited October 2010
    - At first, the life of the Buddha, what were the problems he was trying to solve, how did he plan on doing it, why he chose the course of action that he did, how he proceeded and the final result of his actions.

    - After that how the texts are organized, what is the role of the Sangha, what happens in a Buddhist center\monastery\household (i.e. what do buddhists do in a day to day basis), refuge and precepts, basic bibliography.

    - 4 noble truths and eightfold path.

    - Lam Rim.

    - Lojong.
  • AlfonsoAlfonso
    edited October 2010
    NamelessRiver wrote: »
    - At first, the life of the Buddha, what were the problems he was trying to solve, how did he plan on doing it, why he chose the course of action that he did, how he proceeded and the final result of his actions.

    - After that how the texts are organized, what is the role of the Sangha, what happens in a Buddhist center\monastery\household (i.e. what do buddhists do in a day to day basis), refuge and precepts, basic bibliography.

    - 4 noble truths and eightfold path.

    - Lam Rim.

    - Lojong.

    Before entering in the idea of Lam-rim I try to explain the meaning of the three jewels: external and internal. To try to eliminate the wrong view of deification in buddhism.
    But, most of the time people get engaged in problems with the concept of rebirth and the 3 marks of existence :P
  • JasonJason God Emperor Arrakis Moderator
    edited October 2010
    A good place to start is here.
  • AlfonsoAlfonso
    edited October 2010
    Jason wrote: »
    A good place to start is here.

    Also http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/x/nav/n.html_1206826570.html
  • TheJourneyTheJourney
    edited October 2010
    There's good info all over the internet. Just look up beginner stuff on the internet, buddhanet.net is a great place to start. Meanwhile keep meditating and really make a huge effort to be kind to people and act in a way that benefits all, cuz that's so much of the practice. Once you learn the basics, there is an unbelievable amount of potential studying on buddhism to be done online.
  • unsuiunsui
    edited October 2010
    Jason wrote: »
    A good place to start is here.

    I was going to post this link, but Jason beat me to it.

    I've read about the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the Five Lay Precepts, but mostly others' interpretations; I wanted to dig more into the source material. I decided to start with the Pali Canon, using the link in Jason's post as a starting point. So far it's working out well for me. The linked page also has a link to a series of study guides on specific topics.
  • fivebellsfivebells Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Start with Mindfulness In Plain English.
  • SeaOfTranquilitySeaOfTranquility Veteran
    edited October 2010
    I am not qualified to teach the Dharma.

    But I have learned a lot from each of the following books.

    The Power of Now - Eckhart Tolle - good place to start to learn about awareness.

    The rest are not in any kind of order. Depends on where you are at on the path as to what might speak to you now.

    Buddhism Plain and Simple - Steve Hagen
    Coming to our senses (mindfulness) - Jon Kabat-Zinn
    Mindfulness, Bliss, and Beyond - Ajahn Brahm
    Taming the Mind - Thubten Chodron
    The Untethered Soul - Michael Singer
    Thoughts without a Thinker - Mark Epstein
    A Path With Heart - Jack Kornfield
    The Wise Heart - Jack Kornfield
    anything written by Thich Nhat Hanh
  • ananda_kumarananda_kumar
    edited October 2010
    Great thread. Thanks.
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