How can I start learning more about Buddhism and maybe becoming Buddhist?

I am very interested in Buddhism, and have done some online research, but have found it a bit overwhelming.





Can anyone recommend a good book for me? Or any resources I can use for researching and learning about Buddhism|||Good morning Rawrr I'm Lost,





My advice is slightly different from those already given. If at all possible visit as many different Buddhist temples (sometimes called churches is Western cultures) and meditation centers of varying traditions and lineages. You may find that one "calls" to you more than another or that one teacher has a greater effect on you.





Yes, that is not always easy unless you live in or are near a major city -- and even then it may be a daunting task. Since Buddhists generally do not proselytize they are often the best kept secrets in an area. For example, I just found out about one that is less than three miles from my home but it's not listed in any directory and it was only because they were flying the international Buddhist flag (see http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/hist… if you don't know what it looks like) by the road. Another place to look for Buddhist groups is at college centers.





As with anything, I recommend a degree of caution. If a group doesn't feel "right" to you it probably isn't. Yes, there are questionable Buddhist groups and cults (see http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?… )





Reading books? Certainly an option but even here you should first determine which tradition of Buddhism you seem to be drawn to. For example, if you are are drawn toward Theravada Buddhism reading texts in the Vajrayana Tradition may be a little confusing. You may want to peruse http://www.justbegood.net/ which gives a lot of information of a general nature.





Reading the actual teachings of the Buddha in suttas and sutras is probably the best of the secondary choices. I would suggest, however, spending some time reviewing possible selections in a bookstore or library first. Some teachings are specifically meant for monks and list varying rules for them. A good possibility are the Sutta-Nipata and the Dhammapada. Both of these are available for free download in pdf format ( see http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/dhamma… and http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/Sutta-… ).





I hope this is of some small help.





May all be at peace.





John|||One of my favorite authors is Jack Kornfield, a Buddhist teacher from Northern California. He does a great job teaching Buddhism is a way that makes sense to Americans/Westerners. I would strongly recommend his book A Path With Heart as a good starting point on your journey.





All the best.





Edit: another wonderful author is Thich Nhat Hahn. He has written many wonderful books. Here is a quote from him:





“The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.”|||Taking Refuge in The Three Jewels 'officially' is the first step on the Buddhist Path. It is conducted as a formal ceremony during which a person officially becomes a Buddhist. It occurs for most of us as a natural outgrowth of learning about Buddhism and reflecting on what the teachings really mean to us in light of our human condition. It represents our first turning away from our own suffering in the world, and turning toward a genuine spiritual path that can be of benefit not only to ourselves but to others as well. We take refuge in the Buddha by seeing him as the example of the sort of life we should lead in order to unfold our basic goodness and to realize freedom. We take refuge in the Dharma-the teachings of the Buddha and the experiences of truth that accompany them-by seeing them as the path that leads us to freedom. We take refuge in the Sangha-the community of practitioners-by seeing them as our companions who give us direction, feedback, friendship, and support. Refuge establishes the proper foundation for receiving teachings on and entering into practices of the Buddhist path. One 'officially' becomes a Buddhist by taking refuge in the Three Jewels. This is normally done at a special ceremony at a Buddhist Temple, and that is the recommended path, but one can, if sincere, become a Buddhist at any time simply by reciting the following three times: 'I take refuge in the Buddha. I take refuge in the Dharma. I take refuge in the Sangha'.





Here are two books which will help you get started in learning about Buddhism:





*"Buddhism For Beginners" By: Thubten Chodron - teaches the Essence of Buddhism, the Life of The Buddha, Love and Compassion, Beginning Meditation, Impermanence and Suffering, Selflessness, Karma: the Functioning of Cause and Effect, Science/Creation/Rebirth, The Buddhist Traditions {ie: Theravada, Mahayana, Pure Land, Zen, Vajrayana, etc.), Steps Along the Path, Working With Emotions, Dharma in Everyday Life, Women and The Dharma, Family %26amp; Children, Spiritual Teachers, and Prayers and Rituals.





**"What The Buddha Taught: Revised and Expanded Edition with Texts from Suttas and Dhammapada" By: Venerable Walpola Sri Rahula provides an excellent introduction to Buddhism. California Literary Review contains a thorough review of the book: http://calitreview.com/184





Also visit .http://www.buddhanet.net/ - for it contains a self-study course on Buddhism based on the Historical Buddha, His Teachings, and Buddhist History and Culture:


http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/inde…





Best Wishes to you on your journey.|||1-Buddha mind,Buddha body%26gt;%26gt;walking toward Enlightenment


By:Parallax Press





2-Buddhism of Wisdom %26amp; Faith


This book is for free distribution,it not for sale


and it is not the best either





Acceptance is one of the key that Buddha have Master|||the same way anyone learns about anything...





Resources for the Study of Buddhism


http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Buddhism/Bu…|||http://www.jenchen.org.sg/learning.htm - http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltgui… Here. Found this, hope it helps.|||Read the Dhammapada: the Sayings of Buddha, Buddha's teachings in a nutshell. 26 chapter and is a quick read.|||do a google search for Thich Nhat Hahn. He has some great books as well as videos.|||Don't forget Zen Buddhism. You can get some great books on Zen like 'Zen Bones'|||http://buddhanet.net/