{"product":{"product_id":"B003XF1LIO","title":"In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon (The Teachings of the Buddha)","price":"19.99","image_url":"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51U6+CKMfBL._SL500_.jpg","url":"https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XF1LIO"},"comments":[{"body":"Dhammatalks.org and suttacentral.net are greet free online resources. If you want physical books you can start with this: https://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Words-Anthology-Discourses-Teachings-ebook/dp/B003XF1LIO\r\nAnd the rest of Bhikkhu Bodhi's translations.","subreddit_name":"Buddhism","author":"MercuriusLapis"},{"body":"Theravada Buddhist here. To be honest, when it comes to learning about Buddhism, you will probably find better resources online. There are also a number of quality monks/nuns on Youtube sharing the Dhamma.\r\n\r\nIn Singapore, you will find almost all flavors of Buddhism represented here. It is not uncommon for Theravada monks to be invited for talks in Mahayana temples and vice versa etc. And Buddhists followers going around different temples/centers. \r\n\r\nThere is great mutual respect and among the different Buddhist groups despite differences in scriptures, cosmology, philosophy, practices and beliefs because we all follow the Buddha and we all share the same goal of ridding dukkha.\r\n\r\nHope you find a place that suits you. Remember also you are free to hop around! There are many retreats, meditation classes, dhamma classes in various centers that are open to everyone.\r\n\r\nIf you feel you have Theravada leanings, I can recommend you this book by Bhikkhu Bodhi, In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon.\r\n\r\nhttps://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Words-Anthology-Discourses-Teachings-ebook/dp/B003XF1LIO\r\n\r\nIt’s a great introduction to Buddhism based on the earliest recorded collection of teachings.","subreddit_name":"askSingapore","author":"daleaidenletian"},{"body":"There isn't exactly a Buddhist bible.\r\n\r\nThere are three different recognized 'canons' of Buddhism. The shortest is the Pali Canon, which is considered canonical in the Theravada school. You can get various anthologies of this canon such as [here](https://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Words-Anthology-Discourses-Teachings-ebook/dp/B003XF1LIO#:~:text=In%20the%20Buddha%27s%20Words%20allows,ancient%20yet%20ever%2Dvital%20path.).\r\n\r\nThere are two Mahayana canons which are considerably longer than the Pali Canon, and they basically could be considered to fill a small library more or less.","subreddit_name":"Buddhism","author":"En_lighten"},{"body":"How is it ridiculous or how is it about unlocking inner power?\r\n\r\nGotama does a great job explaining nirvana. I would recommend you pick up a commentary on the Pali cannon. Here is one I read that I really liked: https://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Words-Anthology-Discourses-Teachings-ebook/dp/B003XF1LIO","subreddit_name":"magick","author":"WingedChimera"},{"body":"Not Rks1157, but I've already asked him this question, and he recommended reading as much as possible from the Buddha's original teachings, as cited in the Pali Canon.\r\n\r\nThis recommendation brought me to the most important book I've read so far (out of several): [\"In the Buddha's Words\" by Bhikkhu Bodhi](https://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Words-Anthology-Discourses-Teachings-ebook/dp/B003XF1LIO).\r\n\r\nYou can get it in digital and audio form from Amazon. I recommend the audio form, since it is so powerful to listen to these words rather than read them.","subreddit_name":"Buddhism","author":"SilaSamadhi"},{"body":"This is the book that really kickstarted my journey through Buddhism:   \r\n\r\n[https://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Words-Anthology-Discourses-Teachings-ebook/dp/B003XF1LIO](https://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Words-Anthology-Discourses-Teachings-ebook/dp/B003XF1LIO) \r\n\r\nGreat primer and intro to the Pali canon.","subreddit_name":"Buddhism","author":"seagoonie"},{"body":"Alright, if you are going to be a librarian you're not scared of books. Here's my opinion, then.\r\n\r\n\u0026amp;#x200B;\r\n\r\n1. The study guides on [https://www.dhammatalks.org/ebook\\_index.html](https://www.dhammatalks.org/ebook_index.html) (also there are some in [accesstoinsight.org](https://accesstoinsight.org) which are not included in [dhammatalks.org](https://dhammatalks.org)) organise the Buddha's teachings by topic. Example: karma, merit, discernment, etc.). These are invaluable for undestanding the core of what the Buddha taught and they're easier to read and understand because they are organised by topic and they are segments taken from much longer much more complicated suttas for the purpose of teaching one particular topic. \r\n\r\n2. This book by Bhikkhu Bodhi is considered a very good summary of the Buddha's teachings, also organised by topic, and with well explained commentary between each section. But it's also a bit longer and a bit more intense to read than the above suggestion [https://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Words-Anthology-Discourses-Teachings-ebook/dp/B003XF1LIO](https://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Words-Anthology-Discourses-Teachings-ebook/dp/B003XF1LIO) \r\n\r\n3. The treatises and essays under [https://www.dhammatalks.org/ebook\\_index.html](https://www.dhammatalks.org/ebook_index.html) are the Buddha's core teachings re-explained in simple modern language by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Highly recommended if you want to understand it from the modern language. \r\n\r\nthese are for basic theravada. I can't really recommend any pure-land exclusive texts, if that's what you're looking for.","subreddit_name":"Buddhism","author":"squizzlebizzle"},{"body":"\u0026gt;From what I little understood, buddhism works in the very perception of self and reasoning. Buddha said that we should see for ourselves if what he teached worked, right? \r\n\r\nEhipassiko: encouraging investigation, see for ourselves. That's what the buddha said to the practitioner. \r\n\r\n\u0026gt;And that's amazing. But even if what he said about reincarnation and all is correct and pictures reality, how can we be sure all of this isn't just, for example, a simulation?\r\n\r\nWe can either believe them based on the faith that we gained from our **investigations** (practicing (8 noble eightfold path) and not merely memorising and analysing) or remain agnostic until we have build enough parami to be able to verify them directly. \r\n\r\n\u0026gt;And if you answer me that I will only know the truth after practing for years, maybe lifetimes, and I will have to just believe Buddha in the beginning (or pretty much all the journey), how is that different from, for example, religions like Catholicism, that you can't prove nor disprove the existence of God?\r\n\r\nIt's different because in buddhism, you are encouraged to do investigations. You will see for yourself, abandonment of 5 hindrances lead to calm, Jhanas are real, happiness in absorptions are real, \"5 aggregates are non-self\" are real, how all phenomenas are conditioned and impermanent, dependently originated, how we have little control of our body, thoughts and feelings etc. **Every step that we take to investigate and verify them ourselves, build up our faith little by little.** I**t's not a mere blind faith where we can't verify things for ourself and expected to believe things blindly. It's a faith rooted in science (repeatable) and direct experience.** \r\n\r\n\u0026gt;Please, if you may, help me understand these fundaments of buddhism. Maybe recommend a book or a couple.\r\n\r\nI would highly recommend you to listen to these **dhamma talks.** They are clear, simple and direct.\r\n\r\n[https://ajahnchah.org/book/index.php](https://ajahnchah.org/book/index.php)\r\n\r\n**For sutta:**   \r\n[https://suttacentral.net/](https://suttacentral.net/)\r\n\r\n**An Anthology of discources:**   \r\nhttps://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Words-Anthology-Discourses-Teachings-ebook/dp/B003XF1LIO#:\\~:text=In%20the%20Buddha's%20Words%20allows,ancient%20yet%20ever%2Dvital%20path.","subreddit_name":"Buddhism","author":"elnoxvie"},{"body":"A very good start point is: \r\n\r\n* In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon (The Teachings of the Buddha) by Bhikkhu Bodhi https://www.amazon.com.au/Buddhas-Words-Anthology-Discourses-Teachings-ebook/dp/B003XF1LIO","subreddit_name":"Buddhism","author":"NickPIQ"},{"body":"Teachers is very important for advanced stuff or even just guidance in general. And choosing a teacher matters...not all teachers are the same level. I guess it's good to start with some studying of the basics on your own and see what branches of buddhism appeals to you and then you can visit an actual Sangha/temple /monastic community. The only thing I would say there is to avoid Shambhala buddhism bc they are a sort of heterodox cult in the US.  And maybe avoid nichiren buddhism bc they are a bit heterodox too.  But everything else  ...all of the other branches I think are worth looking into.  Some work better for some people. \r\n\r\n[in the buddhas words , discourses from the Pali Canon](https://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Words-Anthology-Discourses-Teachings-ebook/dp/B003XF1LIO) would be a good place to start for basics. \r\n\r\nThere are a lot of the various mahayana sutras in print too. You can get the heart sutra or the diamond sutra or lotus sutra or flower garland sutra in print.  \r\n\r\nYou can look up a lot of basics about different practices online.  For tibetan buddhist practices you'll want to make sure these are okay for a beginner to do without inititiation but some of the basic mantras and tonglen are acceptable practices for anyone. \r\n\r\nThere really is too much to summarize into a single comment... if you are into zen buddhism I actually do think that shunryu suzukis work and also some of the zen poets from early zen /chan in China are worth looking into even though zen doesn't focus as much on a lot of the buddhist basics in terms of ethics and dogma and the religious side but it is a part of the mahayana vehicle and is authentic. \r\nZen Mind, Beginners Mind by Shunryu Suzuki would be good for that. \r\n\r\nWords of my Perfect Teacher is maybe a good starting point for understanding a lot of tibetan buddhist stuff. It can be daunting as it describes a lot of aspects of hell realms and the ugly aspects of samsaric life and rebirth.  \r\n\r\nI haven't looked into it that deeply but I also find the thai forest school very very interesting.  They are a branch of theravada but that sort of grew weary with the overly scholastic aspects of the existing monastic orders and found the other monks inauthentic and corrupt and sought direct enlightenment rather than just studying in a scholarly way.  They went and meditated in the forest and lived in a nomadic way and I tbink on alms sort of like Buddha and his disciples. If you want to do some digging that school is fairly interesting. \r\n\r\nI find mantra meditation to be relatively easy for a beginner.  It's probably also worth checking out tibetan buddhist art and mandalas.  For some people that kind of visual depiction of the cosmology can be something that draws them to the dharma. \r\n\r\nSorry of this is all over the place. I'll try and tbink of some more specifics","subreddit_name":"redscarepod","author":"keynesisgay"},{"body":"https://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Words-Anthology-Discourses-Teachings-ebook/dp/B003XF1LIO/ref=nodl_?dplnkId=4974173e-9764-4a9a-97c5-5db675b8aaa7","subreddit_name":"Buddhism","author":"AbsolutelyBoei"},{"body":"For pre-Mahayana, this is a good one: https://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Words-Anthology-Discourses-Teachings-ebook/dp/B003XF1LIO","subreddit_name":"zenbuddhism","author":"HakuninMatata"},{"body":"In the Buddha's Words https://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Words-Anthology-Discourses-Teachings-ebook/dp/B003XF1LIO","subreddit_name":"Buddhism","author":"kayotik94"},{"body":"There are Buddhist scriptures called suttas or sutras (depends on the language).  This is a great anthology that you could read a little of each day https://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Words-Anthology-Discourses-Teachings-ebook/dp/B003XF1LIO","subreddit_name":"Buddhism","author":"1hullofaguy"},{"body":"[https://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Words-Anthology-Discourses-Teachings-ebook/dp/B003XF1LIO/ref=sr\\_1\\_1?keywords=pali+canon\u0026amp;qid=1638831498\u0026amp;sr=8-1](https://www.amazon.com/Buddhas-Words-Anthology-Discourses-Teachings-ebook/dp/B003XF1LIO/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=pali+canon\u0026amp;qid=1638831498\u0026amp;sr=8-1)  \r\n\r\n\r\nHere's \"In the Buddha's Words\" - look for the others by Bhikku Bodhi there.  \r\n\r\n\r\n[https://www.amazon.com/Treatise-Stages-Enlightenment-Lamrim-Chenmo/dp/1559394420/ref=sr\\_1\\_10?keywords=lam+rim\u0026amp;qid=1638831529\u0026amp;sr=8-10](https://www.amazon.com/Treatise-Stages-Enlightenment-Lamrim-Chenmo/dp/1559394420/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=lam+rim\u0026amp;qid=1638831529\u0026amp;sr=8-10)  \r\n\r\n\r\nHere is the Lam Rim translation -\u0026gt; you can find all three copies there as well :)  \r\n\r\n\r\nThe books are symbolic of the Buddha's Speech, the Statue their body, and the Stupa their mind.","subreddit_name":"Buddhism","author":"-JoNeum42"}]}