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First Steps into Buddhism?

meh_meh_
edited November 2010 in Buddhism Basics
Simply - Where would you say that the best place to start is?
Thanks in advance ^^

Comments

  • The_Fruit_Punch_WizaThe_Fruit_Punch_Wiza Veteran
    edited November 2010
    Vipassana.

    http://www.wildmind.org/mindfulness

    Work on it. It'll help.
  • meh_meh_
    edited November 2010
    Thankyou very much Fruit Punch :)
    Ill have a read of that!

    (PS: thanks for your oh-so-fast replies!!)
  • The_Fruit_Punch_WizaThe_Fruit_Punch_Wiza Veteran
    edited November 2010
    I try to make them as quick and concise as possible.
  • zider_redzider_red Explorer
    edited November 2010
    try to find a sangha near you that runs meditation classes suitable for beginners. Having a class to go to makes it a lot easier at the begining to develope regular practice.
  • meh_meh_
    edited November 2010
    Well I guess i could look into that, but i live in the countryside of great britain, so I doubt it :(
  • zider_redzider_red Explorer
    edited November 2010
    here's a good place to start looking ;)
  • meh_meh_
    edited November 2010
    There is one, relatively locally as well, I'll consider joining that once I
    1: Am more familiar with buddhism
    2: Have done my GCSE's, Ill have to be devoting more and more time to them.
  • meh_meh_
    edited November 2010
    PS. Thanks (:
  • Ficus_religiosaFicus_religiosa Veteran
    edited November 2010
    I would say start with samatha or anapanasati before vipassana to develop your concentration (samatha) for better results with insight-meditation (vipassana)
    :) just my two cents

    Edit: anapanasati is a kind of samatha, I might add
  • The_Fruit_Punch_WizaThe_Fruit_Punch_Wiza Veteran
    edited November 2010
    I use anapanasati too, and can vouch for its effectiveness.
  • TheDoctorDonnaTheDoctorDonna
    edited November 2010
    I would recomend finding an authentic Teacher that can guide you.

    Here is the Monastery that I belong to. They have a very good study course called The Dharma Path Program that you can take part in even if you do not live near by. Certainly there are other authentic Places as well. Good Luck in your search.

    Welcome to Kagyu Thubten Chöling
  • The_Fruit_Punch_WizaThe_Fruit_Punch_Wiza Veteran
    edited November 2010
    But really do your best to properly investigate the teachers for at least 2-3 years before making a choice to accept the teacher. Don't ever be hasty with that. One must be wary that in the West there's some teachers that are "self-proclaimed" or worse. If you ever find yourself feeling uncomfortable with the conduct of the school or the practices, use your good sense and walk away. Take your time with this, it'll make all the difference.
  • TheDoctorDonnaTheDoctorDonna
    edited November 2010
    The_Fruit_Punch_Wizard wrote: »
    But really do your best to properly investigate the teachers for at least 2-3 years before making a choice to accept the teacher. Don't ever be hasty with that. One must be wary that in the West there's some teachers that are "self-proclaimed" or worse. If you ever find yourself feeling uncomfortable with the conduct of the school or the practices, use your good sense and walk away. Take your time with this, it'll make all the difference.

    Very good point.
  • The_Fruit_Punch_WizaThe_Fruit_Punch_Wiza Veteran
    edited November 2010
    The Doctor Donna wrote: »
    Very good point.

    I had personal experience with that one, and it left me incredibly jaded at first, but then I decided 2-3 years of investigation will do the trick and reveal who is truthworthy.
  • NirvanaNirvana aka BUBBA   `     `   South Carolina, USA Veteran
    edited November 2010
    1)The Dhammapada and 2)The Light of Asia by Sir Edwin Arnold.

    Theory and story definitely before practice, I think.

    If you're not drawn magnetically in the first place, you're not likely to get far in practice later. A firm foundation never just falls into place. First the right site needs to be scouted out.
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