I'm interested in learning about Buddhism

[Qanisqineq]

For most of my life I've felt lost. I was raised a Lutheran but felt Christianity wasn't really the right fit for me. I was an agnostic/atheist for years but I felt like something was missing there, too. I'm interested in learning about Buddhism but I don't know where to start. Any suggestions?

I'm currently living in Korea and that seems like a a great place to be to learn about Buddhism -- but my Korean is terrible. I know I was once visiting a Buddhist temple as a tourist when my family came to visit me here. We happened to go on a special day when they were "baptizing" new Buddhists and a woman spoke excellent English. She was talking about classes for English speaking people to learn about Buddhism and I was interested BUT my mother was there and she would frown on it. I didn't want to start an argument then.

[Qanisqineq]

1. oops

I had so sign off really quick and couldn't come back in time to edit.

Anyway, I don't know what this woman was talking about or how to find out. Plus, my husband hates religion of any kind and would make endless fun of me if I even expressed any interest in just learning about a religion. Is there a good website or book to start learning? Any suggestions?

[invictus]

2. This Buddhist group is based in Korea.

They also have many temples in America and have services in English.

http://www.wonbuddhism.info/

[onestepforward]

3. I like to listen to Ajahn Brahm on YouTube.

His teachings are easy to understand and he makes his teachings are relevant for the average person's daily life. He keeps Buddhism simple and he has a sense of humor too! Here is a link to their YouTube site. There are other teachers too, but I like Ajahn Brahm the best:

http://www.youtube.com/user/BuddhistSocietyWA

A few good ones to start with:

Buddhism, Religion?
The meaning of Life- Piece of Mind
Freedom: The Path to Happiness

I hope you will enjoy them as much as I do!

[chillspike]

13. Me too

I've been getting in to his talks a lot lately. He's really good and just enjoyable to listen to.

[AllenVanAllen]

4. Buddhism is the most "un-religious" religion around.

So your husband should feel good about it, if he does find out. The only "holy book" in Buddhism is your own heart.
As onestepforward said, Ajahn Brahm's talks are a very good place to start. :hi:

[Qanisqineq]

5. Thank you for the responses

I am currently looking through the sites and watching the videos. :hi:

[WheelWalker]

12. I see you.

[sam sarrha]

6. i have some Links>> you might be interested in looking at. first Buddhism is not a Religion,

technically if you practice a religion/religious "Faith" you can not be a Buddhist. not because we wouldn't let you but because your attachment to belief that can save you from *Samsara.. *the world of suffering, cyclical rebirth, old age suffering and death.. sorta precludes that you don't understand the nature of Buddhism in which there is no 'Faith', you just try it, if it works do it.. one can only save themselves, there are no magicians, gods, baby sitters that will be able to save you. only your personal practice. i am not saying a religious person cant learn from Buddhism or the techniques of meditation wont help you in your religious practice.

try to find the movie "Little Buddha", nearly every rental place has it
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Buddha-Keanu-Reeves/dp/6305428360/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1266450382&sr=8-1-catcorr


there are teachers, the teachings and fellow travelers to help. but it is all up to you.

Buddhism is defined by the 4 Noble Truths, the 4th is the path, the 8 Fold Path. it is a life style that prevents you from acquiring more bad Karma while you practice, Meditation is the tool you practice with.

http://www.buddhanet.net/ ..check out the Buddhanet Audio section.

this is one of the best sites, it is Theravada, it has all the fundamental information.. one must first understand Theravada to fully understand the Mahayana.. Theravada practice is to enlighten oneself. mahayana is practiced to help others also, the Bodhisattva tradition is from the Mahayana. a Bodhisattva is one who takes a vow that when they are enlightened they will not enter nirvana until all beings on the earth are also enlightened. none will be left behind..such as Chenrezig, suspected to be an incarnation of the Buddha Amataba... AKA Quan Yin

http://www.FPMT.org has some lectures.

i started with Pema Chodron, When Things Fall Apart, dont bite the hook, ..
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_12?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-music&field-keywords=pema+chodron+mp3&sprefix=pema+chodron

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_16?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=pema+chodron+audio&sprefix=pema+chodron+aud

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_0_5?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=pema+chodron&sprefix=+pema


Jack Kornfield http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kornfield
http://jackkornfield.org/index/home

he has some great audio books.. http://www.amazon.com/Buddhist-Meditation-Beginners-Jack-Kornfield/dp/1591795370/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266449599&sr=8-8

http://www.amazon.com/The-Beginners-Guide-To-Buddhism/dp/B000QZSMW2/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1266449599&sr=8-14


Buddhanet.net has a couple instruction lessons.. a beginner and higher levels, how to meditate.

there are Insight Meditation groups everywhere.. they are a good group

it's an interesting quest.. good Journey

[ZombieHorde]

7. Buddhism is a religion. The Dali Lama call Buddhism a religion;

the U.S. government considers Buddhism a religion, Buddhist centers are tax exempt for religious reasons and the Buddhists accept this; and dictionaries consider Buddhism a religion.

technically if you practice a religion/religious "Faith" you can not be a Buddhist.

Many Buddhist sects, such as Tibetan Buddhism and other forms of Mahayana Buddhism, preach literal reincarnation. Belief in literal reincarnation require faith.

The Four Noble Truths, in its entirety, is a leap of faith. Especially the 3rd and 4th Noble Truth.

Pure Land is a major Buddhist sect which preaches a literal alternate world for Buddhists.

I am not trying to insult Buddhism, Buddhism is very interesting, but there are definitely major leaps of faith going on.

[conscious evolution]

8. Not all buddha schools

are religous.
I know mine isn't.It is a cultivation school geared towards releasing the inner bhudda ones self.

[WheelWalker]

11. The only thing a Buddha(ist) puts faith in is reason based upon experiential truth.

[ZombieHorde]

14. Reincarnation. nt

[AllenVanAllen]

9. Here's a great quote about Buddhist teaching

from Mark Epstein's book Psychotherapy Without the Self.

" When I was first learning about Buddhism, I traveled to Thailand with several of my friends and teachers and went to the forest monastery of a renowned meditation master named Achaan Chah. Gathering round him after our arrival, we asked him to explain the Buddha's teachings. He motioned to a glass sitting to one side of him. "Do you see this glass?" he asked us. "I love this glass. It holds water admirably. When the sun shines on it, it reflects the light beautifully. When I tap it, it has a lovely ring. Yet for me, this glass is already broken. When the wind knocks it over or my elbow knocks it off the shelf and it falls to the ground and shatters, I say, 'Of course'. But when I understand that this glass is already broken, every minute with it is precious."

[WheelWalker]

10. In asking the question, you begin. There are only two mistakes

one can make along the road to truth:

Not going all the way, and
Not starting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdPrTqI9dN0&feature=player_embedded

[Odin2005]

15. I suggest you pick up the book "Buddhism without Beliefs" by Stephen Batchelor.

Batchelor explains the principles of the Buddhist path without all the religious gobbly-gok that has accreted onto the various Buddhist traditions.