Not sure what to read

[Musty]

Hi all,

I've been getting into secular Buddhism recently but am a bit overwhelmed but the volume of Buddhist literature and variety of traditions out there. I've learned a lot from the Secular Buddhist podcast done by this dude (The Secular Buddhist :: Home) but quickly feel out of my depth when they start referring to texts.

Can anyone recommend books they found useful when starting out? Ideally I'd like to be able to skip over the more supernatural aspects of Buddhism and focus on the practical side of the four noble truths and eightfold path and their subtleties.

Thanks

 

[LuisDantas]

Try and read some of Stephen Batchelor's books then.

And Susan Blackmore's as well, although she is officially not a Buddhist as of now.

And Thich Nhat Hanh.

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

Luis mentioned Stephen Batchelor, he had a hand in writing Buddhism for Dummies, which is a book I read early on. He also mentioned Thich Nhat Hanh, with him I'd go with Heart of the Buddha's Teachings. Both of these would be good starting points.

 

[crossfire]

Some essential suttas:

Kalama Sutta, here with a short introduction with some supplementary texts.

Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta: Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in Motion -- Buddha's first discourse upon his awakening--explaining the middle way and the four noble truths.

Magga-vibhanga Sutta: An Analysis of the Path Buddha's discourse of the Eightfold Path.

Dhammapada

Some others:
Nibbedhika Sutta: Penetrative


The Four Sublime States
Contemplations on Love, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy and Equanimity (Which can be found in verse 16 of the Kalama Suttta above labeled as the four exalted dwellings--first link I posted)

More available on request--don't be afraid to ask questions if you have any.

 

[Secret Chief]

Yeah, Mr Batchelor. Buddhism without Belief. Confession of a Buddhist Atheist.

Mainly, just sit.

 

[Secret Chief]

Regarding the 4NT:

Turning the Wheel of Truth. A commentary on the first teaching by Ajahn Sucitto.

 

[Musty]

Thanks for the book suggestions and web links. Plenty to keep me busy

 

[Secret Chief]

You looked into the Access To Insight website?

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

AtI is a good site, it deals with the basics, and Theravada. Another good site is www.buddhanet.net. They have tons of information, and most you can download for free.

 

[Musty]

Magog - Got it booked marked. Will read through the stuff on there. The Theravada tradition seems to come up often when secular Buddhism is discussed so looks like a good place to start.

Dyanaprajna2011 - Also book marked that one. Had a quick look at the ebook library. Can download those onto my Kindle which is handy.