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Buddha-Bible?

MegMeg
edited February 2011 in Buddhism Basics
Okay, I know the Buddha didn't right down his sermons, but is there a book (such as an equivalent to the Bible, Koran, what-have-you) that someone has constructed of his teachings?
Thanks,
Meg :)

Comments

  • LincLinc Site owner Detroit Moderator
    Buddhism is not a religion "of the book" like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. There is not 1 canonical book like the one you seek. However, there are many sutras and collections that I'm sure others more educated than myself will point you toward.
  • VajraheartVajraheart Veteran
    All the Pali Suttas are considered his direct words spoken here on Earth and many of the Mahayana Sutras are considered his words spoken on Earth and some spoken from beyond for Mahayanists. There is no Buddhist Sangha that denies the authenticity of the Pali Suttas considered the Pali Canon or Tipitaka.

    So, you might want to start there...

  • CloudCloud Veteran
    edited February 2011
    http://accesstoinsight.org has much of the Pali Canon (Tipitaka) translated into English; that is, the scriptures of the Theravada school of Buddhism.

    http://www.buddhanet.net has information/teachings from all schools of Buddhism.
    I recommend this one for its study guides, especially for beginners to get their feet wet!
  • MegMeg
    thanks guys :)
  • VincenziVincenzi Veteran
    ...the Pali Tripitaka isn't exclusive to Theravada; and it is huge, really huge.
  • VajraheartVajraheart Veteran
    edited February 2011
    ...the Pali Tripitaka isn't exclusive to Theravada; and it is huge, really huge.
    Far bigger than the bible. Actually the entire Buddhist Canon from Hinayana, Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana to Dzogchen is probably the biggest religious canon on the planet?
  • DhammaDhatuDhammaDhatu Veteran
    edited February 2011
    Hi Meg

    A small collection of verses from the Pali Canon called 'The Dhammapada' is generally regarded as the 'Buddhist Bible'

    However, it is quite a serious little book, probably compiled for monks or enlightenment seekers and is in no way representative of the broad scope of the Buddha's teachings

    The Pali Canon is the (Theravada) Buddhist Bible, and in total, are probably five times larger than The Bible (but very repetitive)

    For the tiny Dhammapada, see this link: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/dhp.intro.budd.html

    For us ordinary laypeople, the Anguttara Nikaya has alot of short discourses, alot of variety and is interesting to browse, here: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/index.html

    The Sutta Nipata, I have never read, but many Buddhists like it. It contains some famous discourses such as the Metta Sutta and Maha-Mangala Sutta, here: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/index.html

    Serious practitioners generally start with the Majjhima Nikaya and may move on to the more scholarly but detailed Samyutta Nikaya

    Kind regards

    :)
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