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2bEnlightened

hi everybody
i am reading and reading and trying to fill myself up with as much knowledge as possible.
what books are recommended for reading on this buddhist journey and how important is finding fellow buddhists with whom to converse?
i am on this journey alone- but i feel so strong and sure of where i am headed- but is fellowship important?

Cloud

Wise friends is a definite bonus. The company of fools will only land you either in trouble or following their thinking (not that anyone's really a fool, just not in touch with reality).

http://wwww.buddhanet.net is a great resource with a study guide, scriptures, and many free books and Dharma talks last I checked.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org also has most of the English translations of the Pali Canon (Tipitaka); the sutras, monastic code (Vinaya) and detailed analysis (Abhidharma) that the Theravada use and are accepted (mostly) by the other schools of thought.

DhammaDhatu

hello 2bEnlightened

we all start our path in differing degrees & in differing ways

regarding myself, i was living according to the five precepts before i found buddhism. there was a time in my life i perceived 'harm' and decided to live in a way that did not cause harm. during this period of my life, around 18 months, i felt very alone however not lonely. my mind had strength, confidence & conviction that my mode of living was correct for me, despite at times feeling alienated & confused

then i found Buddhism whilst travelling in Asia. My first experience of Buddhism was doing a meditation retreat (or two). Back then, Buddhism was not so mainstream and most Westerners started their Buddhism through an interest in or curiosity about meditation

meditation retreats are about doing the work yourself. However, being with a (silent) group of people in a meditation retreat is so important in the beginning. There is a strong energy in a group of meditators that helps arouse one's own energy & effort. All appear to have a common cause.

so, in my opinion, being part of the Buddhist or Dhamma "atmosphere" or "culture" is important. Although one does the spiritual work oneself, knowing & being part of a Buddhist culture helps alot. It gives us confidence & removes many doubts, in that we develop the knowledge there are others practising such a path and gaining benefits from such a path, many who have started out just like ourself

so yes, true fellowship is important in Buddhism.

kind regards

DD

Admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is actually the whole of the spiritual life. When a person has admirable people as friends, companions & comrades, he/she can be expected to develop & pursue the noble eightfold path.

It is in dependence on me as an admirable friend that beings subject to [the problems of] birth have gained release from [the problems of] birth, that beings subject to aging have gained release from aging, that beings subject to death have gained release from death, that beings subject to sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress & despair have gained release from sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress & despair.

It is through this line of reasoning that one may know how admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is actually the whole of the holy life.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn45/sn45.002.than.html

Dazzle

Hi 2bEnlightened,

After discovering Buddhism, as well as studying, I have found it invaluable and supportive to be able to mix with and chat to other practitioners and teachers offline, and receive some individual advice about my practice.

With kind wishes,

D

Dazzle

To add to my previous post, its worthwhile travelling a distance if necessary and doing some residential courses, or maybe staying for an occasional weekend at a centre or monastery if there's nowhere nearby.

StaticToybox

'The Heart of the Buddha's Teachings' by Thich Nhat Hanh is a good book for starters.

Roger

Check this out:

http://www.dzogchenlineage.org/

Thao

Are there no Buddhist groups where you live? I have none here, but I am managing because my teacher emails me lessons and answers questions. That really helps, especially since I am the only Buddhist in this town.

I like White Cloud by Thich Nhat Hanh since it is the life of Buddha. I also loved, The Bodhisattva Vow.