Reading On Buddhism

[margin0walker]

Im interested in learning more about buddhism, specifically Theravada buddhsim. what are some books that are informative on the subject that you could suggest for me to read?

[StreetlightRock]

To start off with, try any books by Alan Watts - his most famous work would probably be 'The Way of Zen'.

[Ganondorf]

Just a question, is Buddhism inherently aitheist or is it non-theist in the sense that God is not explored but nto actually denied?

[margin0walker]

To start off with, try any books by Alan Watts - his most famous work would probably be 'The Way of Zen'.

isnt that about zen buddhism though

btw, i already have a copy of The Teachings Of Buddha and a couple books on zen buddhism

[VomitStainedCretin]

Just a question, is Buddhism inherently aitheist or is it non-theist in the sense that God is not explored but nto actually denied?The latter I believe. Buddhism is also often practiced by people who believe in God/s but alongside the set of beliefs concerning those particular deities as opposed to being an integral part, e.g. the combined practice of both Buddhism and traditional Shinto beliefs by the Japanese.

[PerpetualBurn]

Many Buddhist sects consider that Buddha was a god.

[Unreal]

does that mean that there are different interpretations of the 'religion', i suppose like Islam

[Ganondorf]

Hinduism also recognises the Buddha as an avatar of Krishna/Vishnu aswell.

[PerpetualBurn]

does that mean that there are different interpretations of the 'religion', i suppose like Islam

Yes. Like pretty much every religion, it's far from entirely unified.

[GreyHam]

i love it when religions have common figures - its a shame we just cant all get along...

[VomitStainedCretin]

Many Buddhist sects consider that Buddha was a god.Many don't as well. When Buddha is seen as a God it is generally within the local pantheon as opposed to being a directly imported idea from mainstream Buddhism.

[PerpetualBurn]

Many don't as well.

Cheers for that.

You couldn't work that out from what I said.

[Akira]

does that mean that there are different interpretations of the 'religion', i suppose like Islam

Or like, you know, Christianity?

[StreetlightRock]

Man, trust you guys to turn a simple Question thread into zomg-i-know-more-about-religion-than-you-and-to-sharpen-my-e-penis- im-gonna-post-really-sarcastic-replies-to-people-i-am-better-than.

isnt that about zen buddhism though

'tis indeed, thought you'd just want some introductory stuff into Buddhism in general. I'm not quite down on my Theravada Buddhsim literature though, so =/

[halfdeadhippo]

Im interested in learning more about buddhism, specifically Theravada buddhsim. what are some books that are informative on the subject that you could suggest for me to read? http://www.lioncity.net/buddhism/index.php?showtopic=19381 has a collection of English translations of the various Theravada scriptures that are available online. It might be helpful, it might not. Just thought I'd throw it out there for you.

[margin0walker]

http://www.lioncity.net/buddhism/index.php?showtopic=19381 has a collection of English translations of the various Theravada scriptures that are available online. It might be helpful, it might not. Just thought I'd throw it out there for you.

actually this is one of the most helpful posts itt, thanks :thumb: