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Buddhist texts
- Thread starter JField
- Start date
You would want to check out the Sutta Pitaka, which records the discourses of the Buddha. It is divided into four main collections, the Digha Nikaya, Majjhima Nikaya, Samyutta Nikaya, and the Anguttara Nikaya. Besides these four main collections, there is a minor collection as well, this is where you will find the Dhammapada.
The Dhammapada is a beautiful text that has much of value; but, it is not the place to find the details of what the Buddha taught systematically explained.
I recommend starting out by looking up the Majjhima Nikaya. Access to Insight has many of the suttas from that collection online, though not every sutta is present.
If you want an actual book to hold in your hands, Bhikkhu Bodhi, an American monk, has done an excellent job translating all four major nikayas into English. The volumes are a little pricey; but, they are worth every penny.
The Dhammapada is a beautiful text that has much of value; but, it is not the place to find the details of what the Buddha taught systematically explained.
I recommend starting out by looking up the Majjhima Nikaya. Access to Insight has many of the suttas from that collection online, though not every sutta is present.
If you want an actual book to hold in your hands, Bhikkhu Bodhi, an American monk, has done an excellent job translating all four major nikayas into English. The volumes are a little pricey; but, they are worth every penny.
Here is a link to Access to Insight's page on the Tipitaka. From this link you will see listings that will take you to the various volumes of the Sutta Pitaka:
Tipitaka: The Pali Canon
Tipitaka: The Pali Canon
Glad I could help.
This may be a great place for you to start. This sutta is from the Digha Nikaya (this collection is the long discourses of the Buddha) and is called the Mahanidana Sutta. It is a discourse on dependent origination, which is one of the most profound and important teachings of the Buddha.
Maha-nidana Sutta: The Great Causes Discourse
Yeshe Dondrub
Kagyupa OBT-Thubetan
Dhammapada can be downloaded free at Kindle as well.
Sutta Pitaka English Form may be kindle or the other but there is a free PDF one available (large file). We have the Tibetan form as well in our library.
The Broken down key teachings was put into the pillars of salt or English taste of salt which is a good starting point.
SUTTAPITAKA.ORG
However if you are new to Buddhism, this cannons and writings will be to much at first. They are aimed at scholars or Mahayana students on the core Theravada-Mahayana teachings.
You may want to look at books written by guru's, Rinpoche's, and teachers that are core teachings broken down in simple form to understand. To see the basics, allow you to begin to work with mind, and open up to it.
Sutta Pitaka English Form may be kindle or the other but there is a free PDF one available (large file). We have the Tibetan form as well in our library.
The Broken down key teachings was put into the pillars of salt or English taste of salt which is a good starting point.
SUTTAPITAKA.ORG
However if you are new to Buddhism, this cannons and writings will be to much at first. They are aimed at scholars or Mahayana students on the core Theravada-Mahayana teachings.
You may want to look at books written by guru's, Rinpoche's, and teachers that are core teachings broken down in simple form to understand. To see the basics, allow you to begin to work with mind, and open up to it.
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