Learning about Buddhism

[johnnywalker91]

Hi everyone,

My name is Johnny and I'm a twenty-year-old college student attending school in freezing Massachusetts. I'm new to this forum and I've always been curious about Buddhism but hadn't gotten around to studying it until now. I did sign-up for an Eastern Philosophy and Religion course last summer but that was a survey course, now I want to study it in-depth.

I guess I wouldn't be posting this unless I had some sort of question. So my first question is simply this: can someone explain what the five precepts of Buddhism are all about?

[ghost01]

I am fairly new to Buddhism, so take my words with a grain of salt.. I'm sure someone more experienced will answer your question soon.

The way I see the precepts are that they are simply guidelines for living that help reinforce the humble and gentle nature that Buddhism steers you to, and by following these guidelines you are also following the Eightfold Path. http://buddhism.about.com/od/theeightfoldpath/a/eightfoldpath.htm

Buddhism to me, is about understanding yourself and the nature of your own mind, with the result being a more accurate view of reality. Within this more accurate perception you will find also many insights into the nature of other phenomena as well.

If you are truly interested in learning, I'm sure many people can offer you reading material.. and as someone who is also new I really, really recommend "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh"
http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Buddhas-Tea ... 0767903692

I've found TNH explains thing's in a very understandable way(alot of Buddhist reading material is tough to understand, for me), and he is also very inspiring at the same time.

Anyways, I hope I was at least a little helpful, and like I said I'm new so take my opinions lightly.

[kirtu]

I guess I wouldn't be posting this unless I had some sort of question. So my first question is simply this: can someone explain what the five precepts of Buddhism are all about?

Hi!

The five precepts are the basic moral system of the Buddha. The purpose is to create positive karma and to avoid negative karma and eventually (after many, many lifetimes) to lead to full enlightenment. But in a specific life, if a person just followed the five precepts well (or even perfectly) this by itself would likely lead to rebirth in a god realm (you have to say likely because you don't know what other karma the person already has).

On a deeper level the five precepts can be a gateway to all the other Buddhist teachings. This is sort of the opposite of how many Westerners come to Buddhism through meditation. But traditionally the actual gateway to Buddhist practice were the precepts.

Practicing the five precepts also has the benefit that one makes a connection to the Buddhadharma which then leads to encountering the Buddhadharma in future lifetimes.

Kirt

[Mr. G]

So my first question is simply this: can someone explain what the five precepts of Buddhism are all about?

The Five Precepts
More on Precepts

now I want to study it in-depth

My personal recommedations starting out are:

Buddhist Thought: A Complete Introduction to the Indian Tradition
Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations

[johnnywalker91]

ghost01: I read Hanh's "Living Buddha, Living Christ" a long time ago and it was actually the first book that sparked my interest in Buddhism, even though it has sort of faded from my memory, I have to check out his other books. Thanks.

[Beatzen]

He was a theravadin master, but the bare bones approach of Ajahn Chah is a very down to earth place to start. And as another one of my favorites, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche used to say "never forget the hinayana" - He was quite a drinker himself. He liked to say that the theravada was "like a straight shot. No concoctions."

"Food for the Heart" is a collection of his teachings that seems fairly accessable.

[Thug4lyfe]

I recommend the Buddhism in every step series for new comers.

Easy to read small booklets thats specific to each topic concerned, including subjects such as rebirth, nirvana, feminism, youth, vegetarianism etc etc

http://blpusa.com/category/buddhism-in- ... tep/page/5