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Introduction, Boston Sangha's, and Buddhist Texts

seanbrennaseanbrenna
edited December 2010 in Buddhism Basics
Hi all,

So I am new here and somewhat new to Buddhism, but my interest has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few months. I started meditating mostly, due to anxiety and insomnia, on my own and had some good results. Then someone recommended Shambhala to me. So, I am taking a 5 week course there and have had nothing but a positive experience.

But as I read more and more I notice that there are many Buddhist centers here in Boston, each with their own twist. I am starting to confuse myself with all this information lol.

I just finished "Turning your mind into an ally" by Sakyong Mipham but I would like something a little more technical that provides a solid overview of Buddhism. I am contemplating getting a translation of the Lamrim because from what I understand so far it is the most comprehensive text on Buddhism. Anyone have any advice on how to really gain a solid basic foundation of Buddhism and choosing a Sangha?

Thanks,
Sean

Comments

  • SherabDorjeSherabDorje
    edited November 2010
    There is an American Vajrayana nun named Thubten Chodron that has bunches of free material on lam-rim on her site- if I remember right, both mp3 and text. It's pretty comprehensive. Just Google "Thubten Chodron lam-rim" and you should find it easily.
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited November 2010
    The Buddha's own first lesson was on the Four Noble Truths, and The eightfold Path. Consider also the wisdom of The Five Precepts.


    Don't be misled. Study of these could take you a lifetime.
    They're profound, yet simple, yet even more profound.

    Look at this website, for starters, and also this one.
  • upalabhavaupalabhava
    edited November 2010
    seanbrenna wrote: »
    I am contemplating getting a translation of the Lamrim because from what I understand so far it is the most comprehensive text on Buddhism.


    I recently purchased the three volume set of the only full English translation of Tsongkhapa's Lam Rim. I'll begin it once I am done re-reading the Mahamudra. Both are extensive guides.

    I also recommend Alexander Berzin's lecture series on the Lam Rim. It is currently ongoing, with audio lectures added once a week.

    Good luck!
  • CloudCloud Veteran
    edited November 2010
    OP: And just in case you don't know, and this is not to endorse one tradition over another (only to suggest the text for study), the Pali Canon that the Theravadins have preserved would be the daddy-o "most comprehensive text on Buddhism" as you say. These canonical texts, called the Tipitaka (Triple Basket; sutras, monastic rules and higher/advanced teachings), are estimated at about 11 times the size of the Holy Bible.

    It's just fascinating to me how much text you can lose yourself in! :) The Lamrim of course would be your primary if Tibetan/Vajrayana is your school of choice. Still, pretty sure all of the schools consider the Tipitaka/PC to be authentic; 'cept of course in the areas of "different opinion" that are the exceptions. It's a good idea, or rather let's say I personally strongly recommend, to get a grasp on the differences between the schools; helps deepen understanding of these crucial concepts that have been important enough to split Buddhism up into many schools.

    Eep almost forgot to give you a link! Doubt many people actually own their own Tipitaka translations, which would be bulky and expensive, but there are English translations available for free online at such sites as http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/index.html. This particular site can be downloaded for offline viewing of the materials.
  • seanbrennaseanbrenna
    edited November 2010
    Thank you all very much for your responses. Federica those sites look great.

    Cloud - I imagine the Pali Canon and Lamrim must have signficant agreement on the basics, is that true? What is the major difference between these schools?
  • seanbrennaseanbrenna
    edited November 2010
    Actually, I am seeing alot of this on Buddhanet... great website!
  • CloudCloud Veteran
    edited November 2010
    Mmm, makes my head hurt to start listing differences. Wait no, makes my head hurt to even think about it, lol. Try http://www.buddhanet.net as a great source of free information for whichever school you need it. Found a quick link on Google for a post where someone compiled information on each school's views at http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054922217. Not sure how reliable/accurate it is though, so grain of salt...
  • CloudCloud Veteran
    edited November 2010
    It's good to feel stupid, especially when you're not being mindful. Fede already posted the links for BuddhaNet and AccessToInsight but I didn't notice. :) Well I'd still recommend the same sites anyway; many people do.

    Good luck seanbrenna!
  • seanbrennaseanbrenna
    edited November 2010
    ha, i know... there are so many different views. thanks for the link.
  • kingspherekingsphere
    edited December 2010
    The Boston public library in copley.has an amazing Buddhist section. They have a lamrim written by a Sakya master. Forget his name. Its a great book. Gampopa's lamrim is a great book listing the ten stages of Bodhisattva. Dang I forget the title but an amazon search on gampopa should get it its a blue book and had Liberation in the title possibly. But the BPL and I so memorized ther way to its Buddhist section but can't explain it just ask for the religion section its in there. On the floor with computers but around many corners. As a sidenote there a book the lamp of realization. Is in the title is a small magenta colored book realization may be in the title morning memory is bad for me, but its written by a student of Hakuin Japans most famous Rinzai school master and his student was having a nervous breakdown/enlightening experience from his unforgiving practise he wrote a book on what he realized and Hakuin was pleased with it. Its the true secret of Boston I've read it so many times I hope no one walked off with it. I allready owe the BPL a copy of the smaller Mahayanna Sutras which got lost by leaving it in a car of a woman from lynn who is too moody to even try and get it back now and I'm sooo Buddhist in finances its going to be a while but check out the BPL I got my spiritual wing stubs there. Oh the lam rim book is reddish hard cover and has lam rim in its title I'm positive. Please check out the zen book too it helped me deal with my dads demise from life.
    It has my favorite quote: ina nutshell it went, in olden times the people were afraid to live! Now these days they are afraid to die! That hit me like the old bottom of the pail of water dropping out analogy!
    Blessed be your work
  • shenpennangwashenpennangwa
    edited December 2010
    There are a couple of excellent Tibetan sangha's in the Boston area to check out.
    The Drikung Center in Arlington is a wonderful Drikung Kagyu center.
    The Kurukulla Center in Medford is a really excellent Gelug center.
    The Sakya Center in Harvard Square is really great too. Khenpo Migmar is a hidden yogi.
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