Mindful Readers discussion

Hello, I did a search for buddhist readers group and found this group. If I'm incorrect please advise, I apologize in advance. My primary reason to join is to communicate with others about Buddhism. Most of the books I read are introductions and I need some suggestions. To give you perspective these are on my shelf: Sources of Chinese Tradition Vol 1 and 2, The Shambhala Dictionary of Buddhism and Zen, and Diamond Sutra by Red Pine. I'm focusing on anger. I've read the Shambhala Beyond Anger and found it useful. Thanks in advance

Hey Christopher

Just saw your post, although it is a bit late, my two cents worth.

Different Buddhist traditions tend to use and emphasise different training methods. It is probably good to bear that in mind when searching out different books, and looking for ways to put different approaches into practice.

Some general books you might find useful, or interesting are Buddhism is not What you think, by Steve Hagen, Basic Teachings of the Buddha – by Glenn Wallis, not Glenn Wallis the Roshi, but Glenn Wallis the translator. Taking the Path of Zen, by Robert Aitken, and maybe Zen Master Raven, one of my all time favourite books.

Regarding anger, the relevant chapter from Waking up to What You Do, by Diane Rizzetto might be useful. Also The Places that Scare You by Pema Chodron comes to mind for me.

Good luck

Jim.

Hi Jim
Thanks for the recommendations. I'll look into them. That Zen Raven book sounds interesting. Unfortunately I wasn't able to copy the list for some reason. I'm reading Johnsons Gardening at the Dragons Gate. It's good for me since I'm new to gardening - especially in Taiwan where I live. Cheers.

James wrote: "Hey Christopher

Just saw your post, although it is a bit late, my two cents worth.

Different Buddhist traditions tend to use and emphasise different training methods. It is probably good to bear ..."

Thank you, James. I'll be referring to this post again soon. I'm currently reading The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation It's the first comprehensive book I've read about Buddhism. I get the impression it's not for newbies, but as it's the first one I've read, I'm not sure. Do you, or does anyone else, have an opinion on this?

I have found it interesting (I'm over half-way done), and I've learned from it, still absorbing some of it; but a lot of it feels like it's going "over my head". When the author speaks of being one with everything, I don't quite understand how I could ever believe that, or truly feel it with a genuine understanding. Is that simply a belief and understanding that develops while practicing meditation and the philosophy?

Anyway, I plan to re-read that book, but have been curious about other recommendations, so thanks again, James.

Andrew

Thanks for your kind comment regarding my post to Christopher.

Regarding things being over your head, yep, that’s the way it goes. It would be a worry if it wasn’t. Totally natural, and nothing wrong with that. A lot of talk, writing, etc about buddhism can draw us in, and motivate us to practice, but the best of it is often, just, well, confusing; that is without the experience for it to make sense. At worst it can lead us astray. Buddhism, at least as I know It, is a doing thing. It’s not about ideas. Or your ideas about ideas, or ideas about what you are doing. It is experiential. It is not even that really.

It is fully embodied.

Phrases like being one with everything can certainly be misleading. Perhaps it would be better to say that there is not a hair’s breadth of difference. But, then this is something to know for yourself.

Have fun with it all.

I'd like to ask a question - not sure if this is the place to do so.

In my mind Buddhists are peaceful people - so what in the world is happening in Myanmar?

great to hear somebody open up dialogue!!

I'm very partial to Zen, Theravada and "Buddhism Without Beliefs."

I am about to get into one of Bhikku Boddhi's big anthologies of the Pali Canon! I'm also almost finished with Stephen Batchelor's "Living with the Devil," which is really more of the same of Batchelor.

While I vehemently disagree with Thurman's talking points, I think Inner Revolution is a good book in understanding the ideology of Tibetan Buddhism and there's a translation of the Brahma's Net Sutra by Martine Batchelor that gives a good gist of what Mahayana Buddhism's about and can help you understand some of the schisms inside Buddhism.

From one passenger to another, please keep your critical thinking machines on :)

Jim, "not worrying" is what I decided to do 200 pages ago. Thank you for reminding me! :)

Hi Daniel and Charleyms. :)

Charleyms wrote: "I'd like to ask a question - not sure if this is the place to do so.

In my mind Buddhists are peaceful people - so what in the world is happening in Myanmar?"
Hi Charleyms,
Its a good question and I like politics too, but I don't think this is the place to discuss Myanmar current affairs. Just my .02 and I don't mean to offend.

Charleyms wrote: "I'd like to ask a question - not sure if this is the place to do so.

In my mind Buddhists are peaceful people - so what in the world is happening in Myanmar?"

I'm not a group mod, but I don't see anything in the group description that would forbid such a topic. I think a new thread would be best for it though.

As long the topic is discussed peacefully and with respect to other members. I tend to believe that discussing a news items to peacefully exchange ideas and get answers to questions is always a good thing, when it's done without sarcasm or hostility.

And I believe the question about Myanmar is a valid one, especially if one feels the curiosity to ask about it.

Charleyms wrote: "I'd like to ask a question - not sure if this is the place to do so.

In my mind Buddhists are peaceful people - so what in the world is happening in Myanmar?"

I think that when it comes to Myanmar it's important to remember that people can be identified by the name Buddhist, either by themselves or by others, but it doesn't necessarily mean that they practice what we might think is the Buddhist path or way. "Buddhist" is just a word, just like "Muslim, an easy way of conceptually putting things easily into packages and dividing into boxes whilst not bearing in mind or being aware of the whole.

Good points Shaggy Dog. The terms
can be culturally and maybe even country specific.
E.G. Taoism in Taiwan is often associated with cults.