Buddhist discussion

Please share what you are reading, Buddhist or not, so we can all get some great book ideas and have some fun conversation about them!

So sorry, Kristi, but I am currently not reading any books about Buddhism. Instead, I am focused on reading the Harry Potter series, the first book being The Sorcerer's Stone. Happy New Year to all. Take care, be well, blessings, best wishes & peace be with you all...

Cynthia wrote: "So sorry, Kristi, but I am currently not reading any books about Buddhism. Instead, I am focused on reading the Harry Potter series, the first book being The Sorcerer's Stone. Happy New Year to all..."

I've been trying to read this series, but right now I'm reading all the Sherlock Holmes books...I LOVE them!

I would think you would Kristi & that gives me an idea of what to read after Harry Potter, which has taken me years to get around to reading, even though I loved the movies so much. All the time I was reading either Buddhist texts, or books on Archetypal, Depth or Jungian Psychology. My husband is quite happy that I am now reading what he considers *for fun*!:-)

I'm reading 11/22/63 by Stephen King--this is not a HORROR novel. It's actually quite good, a wonderfully absorbing book.

I've also been reading off and on. A lot of it goes way over my head but I'm trying to absorb what I can.

Oh, Jack Kornfield is good. One of the first books on Buddhism I read many moons ago was written by him...

It was *A Path With Heart*...

I agree he is good. But he's sooo deep that, like I said some of it I don't get. This is my third Buddhist book so I'm just beginning to learn. I have "A Path with Heart" but haven't started it yet. I have read After the Ecstasy, the Laundry: How the Heart Grows Wise on the Spiritual Path last summer and really enjoyed it. I'm sure when I read it again (and I will) that I'll get more the second time around.

Currently I'm finishing Twilight:The Graphic Novel Vol.1 and I'm reading Taking Tea with The Buddha: The Gift of Practice by: Bradly Jay Keller and Buddhism: A Way of Life and Thought by Nancy Wilson Ross.

I'm currently reading and enjoying it very much. Well written and shows a great deal of compassion and understanding on the part of the author.

I just started Bringing Home The Dharma: Awakening Right Where You Are and am finding it as inspiring as all of Kornfield's other work. I also highly recommend Work as a Spiritual Practice: A Practical Buddhist Approach to Inner Growth and Satisfaction on the Job to any who are looking for ways to integrate everyday life with their practice.

Just started Without Buddha I Could Not Be a Christian. Love the title...and since most of my conversations on religion come from Buddhist and Christian perspectives I hope it will be a good read.

Babs wrote: "Just started Without Buddha I Could Not Be a Christian. Love the title...and since most of my conversations on religion come from Buddhist and Christian perspectives I hope it will ..."

That sounds like an interesting read Babs!

I am reading Comfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassionby Pema Chödrön. I like the way the book has short chapters each with a different inspirational theme. Sort of like a dharma for the day.

I find Pema Chodrons style to be very accessible but no less thought provoking for that.

At the moment I'm just finishing up with reading "The Lotus-Born: The Life Story of Padmasambhava" by Yeshe Tsogyal. I am also reading "The Tibetan Book of the Dead" and this edition is an excellent commentary by Chogyam Trungpa. My next one will be "Dakini Teachings: A Collection of Padmasambhava's Advice to the Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal" by Padmasambhava.

I'm almost done with Bringing Home the Dharma: Awakening Right Where You Are, great book! Next one will probably be Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh...been wanting to read this for awhile.

Rivqah wrote: "At the moment I'm just finishing up with reading "The Lotus-Born: The Life Story of Padmasambhava" by Yeshe Tsogyal. I am also reading "The Tibetan Book of the Dead" and this edition is an excelle..."

I have those in my library at home as well. "Dakini Teachings" is one I have returned to numerous times over the past several years. Might I also recommend "Advice from the Lotus-Born: A Collection of Padmasambhava's Advice to the Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal and Other Close Disciples" (a volume of terma teachings from Nyang Ral Nyima Oser similiar to "Dakini Teachings."

I second the recommendation for Advice from the Lotus-Born: A Collection of Padmasambhava's Advice to the Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal and Other Close Disciples! It's wonderful.

I've just discovered Buddhist Fiction and am currently reading "The Angry Buddhist." I like it so far. I was reading "The Dalai Lama's Cat" which is cute so far but it is currently overshadowed by "The Angry Buddhist." :-)

And yes I should be reading actual dharma books instead HAHA!!!

I have about 8 books on the currently reading list. I am not a very good student, my mind wonders.

But for this group, I recommendThe Dance of 17 Lives . Its a book about The 17th Karmapa, his significance in the Tibetan Buddhism tradition, especially in the Kagyu school, controversy surrounding his recognition, and more. I am about 1/3 in to the book, pretty interesting.

Diane wrote: "I have about 8 books on the currently reading list. I am not a very good student, my mind wonders.

But for this group, I recommendThe Dance of 17 Lives . Its a book about The 17th Karmapa, his si..."

I read an article about him and it made me curious about his life...thanks for this recommendation!

OOh! We know what wandering minds are! I think those of us who are new to practice find our minds wander quite frequently! Most of my reading is the writings of Thich Nhat Hanh....and must admit most of my influence comes from American writers...who have done their reading and practice for a long time. But I'm always up for discussions.

I'm currently reading Sacred World: The Shambhala Way to Gentleness, Bravery, and Power. It's very interesting and has great insight on how to bring our practice into our everyday lives. Good book so far!

I'm currently reading The Plague of Doves. For those of us interesting in social justice it shows how things have changed or perhaps how much they haven't

I am currently reading, "No Death,No Fear" by Thich Nhat Hanh.

I have been reading "Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames" by Thich Nhat Hahn; off-and-on for quite awhile. I also have the audio book and listen to sections sometimes when I go for walk.

Thich Nhat Hahn, Living Buddha, Living Christ and Wallace, Jesus in His Own Words.

Babs wrote: "Thich Nhat Hahn, Living Buddha, Living Christ and Wallace, Jesus in His Own Words."

How are you finding this book? I'm intrigued by it but not sure if I want to read it.

So far it is very good. I've always thought of myself as a Protestant with Buddhist leaning and it is wonderful to read of how Thay views the concept of God and the Holy Spirit. He is also very honest with what he sees are 'unchristian' like behaviors and actions.

Babs wrote: "So far it is very good. I've always thought of myself as a Protestant with Buddhist leaning and it is wonderful to read of how Thay views the concept of God and the Holy Spirit. He is also very h..."

It sounds like something I would really enjoy reading. Thanks for the feedback!

I am only this weekend starting to study Buddhism for the first time. What piqued my interest was that I was looking for a Meetup group to join and saw this Buddhist group 25 miles away. So, I considered it.

Despite efforts to be a Christian, I have never been successfully able to convince myself that supernatural events are possible. Cetainly not today. So why believe they were possible 2000 years ago? Time is just a dimension. There's no reason to belive our planet's physical laws were different 2000 years ago. Therefore, religion/mythology has not played too big a role in my life.

I've studied the Christian Bible from time to time, on my own, and with devout Christians in Bible study groups and at church and in Sunday school and with different denominations. "The message" is rather simple and highly repetitive no matter who it's studied with. The Bible is interesting enough literature, every bit as interesting say as Homer's works, and similar to them in its occasional lists of people or places. But once you read it, why reread it? The point is easy enough to get.

I read from Wikipedia that Buddhism is one of the few (is it the only?) world religion (Unitarian Universalism being another) not to require a belief in the supernatural, though many Buddhists do believe thusly, I guess, especially the reincarnation stuff. Not having to believe in the supernatural is appealing to me because I always feel I am lying to myself when I have tried to believe in the past. Buddhism's practicality in offering advice on how to approach handling the world and suffering also really appeals. I'm not sure what to make of meditation though. Can sitting there quietly, appendages contorted, really be all that beneficial?

So, I went to Books-A-Million, which had three, maybe four titles about Buddhism. The one I settled on buying is The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh. When I got home, I was happy to see it got a 4.31 rating here on Good Reads. That's impressive! Is it as good a place as any to start though, I wonder?

I am glad this Buddhist group exists. I was a bit surprised to see that you don't vote on and read a book every month like most of the other groups here on GoodReads does though. Is there not enough interest for that?

Cheers!
Dan

Dan, I would like to welcome you to the group! I had some of the same issues you discussed with Christianity and found that Buddhism's view that you have to look at things for yourself and find out if you agree/believe them was exactly what I needed. As to the question of if sitting quietly, appendages contorted, really be all that beneficial? I would say that yes, it's very beneficial. While sitting quietly you come to know yourself and become friendly. You also come to find what you believe by sitting with it. Have you had any meditation instruction?

I haven't read The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching, but I would start at the beginning and read through. Buddhist books are usually meant to be read that way. Maybe the members here can be of more help with that question.

I hope you enjoy being in the group and hope your journey on the Buddhist path is what you are seeking.

Hi Dan,
I also welcome you to this group and to the study of Buddhism and the practice of meditation. As you move along this path you will realize Buddhism comes in several widely studied and practiced flavors and then many other side streams and off shoots. Thich Nhat Hans work you are reading is very good and he has many other books designed for a daily contemplation. His flavor is a Southeast Asian Zen, there is Japanese Zen and Theravadin and Tibetan or Vajrayana Buddhism all with a core set of teachings coming directly from the mouth of the historic Buddha Shakyamuni. HIs life is really the template for all of our lives. AS you read you will find areas of agreement with how you think and how you see yourself progressing. At some point you will find a teacher to help you move more deeply within one stream of teachings.

The reason I think this group is not able to vote on a book and read together is that some of us here are new to Buddhism and some of us have been studying and practicing for 40 years.

Just as with Christianity if you read the book and do not act with compassion and charity you are not fullfiling the teachings of Jesus, so it is with Buddhism, you cannot just read the books you must work on your mind and see your behavior and make the changes that you come to realize are needed, not because you are told to make the change but because you realize the change is needed to move along the path of awakening.

Larry

Larry wrote: "The reason I think this group is not able to vote on a book and read together is that some of us here are new to Buddhism and some of us have been studying and practicing for 40 years..."

That's part of it, I also think that we are all from different branches and so it makes it hard to pick a book that everyone would like. I'd love to do a group read, but we they sort of petered out. Is there any interest in doing one??

I suppose The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh would be too basic for most of the members here?

Hi Dan and all,

It is not too basic, it is just that I have not only read it several times already but I have already discussed it in live book discussion groups. If the group chooses to read it together it would be fine.

If we are suggesting books to read together now, how about some new short reads all available in The Best Buddhist Writing 2013. Edited by Melvin McLeod ISBN 978-1-61180-069-2. I have just started it. There are authors from all buddhist traditions. Including modern western Buddhists.

tashi delek everyone
LF

Larry wrote: "Hi Dan and all,

It is not too basic, it is just that I have not only read it several times already but I have already discussed it in live book discussion groups. If the group chooses to read it t..."

That sounds like a good idea for a group read! Is anyone else interested??

The Best Buddhist Writing 2013

I'd be willing to give it a try and have a discussion.

Manning wrote: "Dan wrote: "I suppose The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh would be too basic for most of the members here?"

For me, 'The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching' is a staple. I've read it..."

Manning, did you want to read Best Buddhist Writing 2013 with us, or are you talking about reading 'The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching'. We are looking at reading Best Buddhist Writing 2013 as a group right now, are you interested in reading with us?

I agree with Manning that 'The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching' is a must have on any bookshelf...but I'm willing to join in a conversation of the Best Buddhist Writings of 2013

I like the idea of looking at The Best Buddhist Writing 2013 as a group and would pick up a copy if we decide to start a formal consideration of the book.

Manning wrote: "hey all, first off I'd like to say how great I feel in being a part of this group where people are connecting on a common interest...I like that.

As for joining in a discussion about The Best Budd..."

A lot of these articles can be found on the web. For example one of the articles by Sylvia Boorstein, The Three Marks of Existence you can read online. So if you would like, we'll let you know what is being read and you can just read it or print it off the web.

Will do!

Hello all,
It appears there is some consensus around reading these articles. As most if mot all the articles were published in the Shambahala Sun they may all be available online. There are 28 in all. Shall we read them one each week? When shall we begin? If we are starting now the first article is by David Rynick titled This Truth Never Fails. To me it is a good place to start as the author looks clearly at what it takes to live the dharma each moment of each day.

To me discussions are useful when the participants point to what they connected with, how it has made an impact on their practice or understanding. Then we can dialog around that.

Other ideas about form in our discussion are welcome. Your thoughts?

LF

Larry, my book is on it's way, how about we start next week to be sure everyone has their book and is ready.

I will post a thread so that we have a detected space to discuss the book, sound good?? I agree with you in regard to discussion, it seems that everyone discussing helps to make the read more vibrant, I'm excited to get to read this with all of you!

yes sounds good thanks. I am looking forward to a structured discussion around current topics in dharma.

LF

I'm all for starting at the beginning. If we choose to skip around later we can feel free to do so. But so everyone is on the same page Rynick's article will be fine by me.

Ok, I'll put a thread up for the book and we can discuss the articles. I would propose that we go in order to make it easy to follow along, and do you think we should discuss one per week??

I'm usually reading about 20 religious books at a time. Some fun, some crazy, and some just mean. But all worth reading because they raise questions.

Enjoying:
Hell Is Real (But I hate to admit it) by Brian Jones.

How God Became Jesus by Michael Bird.

Glorious Intruder by Joni Eareckson Tada.

Putting Jesus In His Place by R.M. Bowman Jr.

The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks

I'm reading The Rules of Victory: Strategies from "The Art of War" for Mastering Chaos and Conflict. I find it very interesting to read the author's commentary and see how if meshes with my understanding.

I just finished a book by the Dalai Lama called "Becoming Enlightened".

Very interesting.