Buddhism is a religion that I have read up on somewhat and find very interesting.
I've read about the 8 fold path and such.
I would like to know where I can find good information on Buddhism and its practices.
Also I've heard about Zen but I don't really know too much about it.
Any help is appreciated.

Sacred Texts has a lot of stuff.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/index.htm

http://buddhanet.net/

For a forum, try http://www.lioncity.net/buddhism/

There's no way to validate that this saying was actually by Gautama Siddharta but keep it in the back of your mind when reading and being exposed to what is out there about Buddhism.

"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."

I'm going to go out on a limb and say it isn't buddhism you're interested in its eastern philosophy. Check out the link below and read works like the Tao Te Ching.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_philosophy

"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."

This. Your soul should be your highest authority, not some ancient text. I cannot tell you how much time I spent searching for the answers to my questions in a variety of religions, only to find I already had the answers.

This. Your soul should be your highest authority, not some ancient text. I cannot tell you how much time I spent searching for the answers to my questions in a variety of religions, only to find I already had the answers.

This.

The people you turn to for answers (parents, leaders, supposed prophets, totse, etc) are fallible humans just like you. After much time I came to realize this and I wish I had before. Who are they to tell me what the Truth is and isn't and to dictate my relationship with my Creator when they were born with the same (lack of) knowledge I was. I honestly think the stage most teens go through, dismissing their parent's traditions and religion, often neglected as immature rebellion, is there for their own benefit. It's to reject what has been thought to you and come to your own conclusions about what the Truth is. Sadly, most of of us go jump from one pre-conceived notion to another.

Here is a good Tao Te Ching translation: http://www.sacred-texts.com/tao/crv/index.htm

Above all, be critical of everything you read.

Or you might go retro, and get thee to a library and check out some actual books. This is an archaic form of data storage--it is slow, but it never crashes.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say it isn't buddhism you're interested in its eastern philosophy. Check out the link below and read works like the Tao Te Ching.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_philosophy



This. Your soul should be your highest authority, not some ancient text. I cannot tell you how much time I spent searching for the answers to my questions in a variety of religions, only to find I already had the answers.

Buddhism lies under the umbrella of "Eastern philosophy", so it is still something to consider; as you mentioned the Tao Te Ching. Besides, it's only natural to peel the onion to examine its individual pieces.

As a sidenote: Buddhism and Taoism influenced one another heavily; Chan Buddhism or "Zen" being a testament to their warm embrace.

Thing I like best about Buddhism is the emphasis on compassion. We could use more of that.

Truth can be found any and everywhere. Even before reading ancient texts, I'd start out with trying to prepare your mind for the wisdom ahead.

In a word, I'd say, "Think." Especially when it comes to oneself. After you do something, think to yourself, "Why did I do that? How would someone else perceive my action? Why would they see me that way? Are they right about me? Should I have done it differently? Etc.."

And start meditating. Don't look up guides on what to do, and don't ever expect enlightenment. It may take a while, but if you keep at it you'll learn on your own what to do- and that's the only way to do it. No one else can instruct you on what works for you. When it starts to work, it may not be what you expect it to be, and you may not even know if you're doing it right. That's half the fun, right?

When you do read the text on the "religion", never take it for what it says it is. Question it. Question the authors motivation, its' relevance in your reality and don't be afraid to disagree.

<3

http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/index.html

This site has lots of information on Buddhist ideals in everyday life written simply and logically. A lot of the information also pertains to modern life. It's good to read ancient texts but also look for something more modern. It says on the first page:

"Don't try to use what you learn from Buddhism to be a Buddhist;
use it to be a better whatever-you-already-are."
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

"And start meditating. Don't look up guides on what to do, and don't ever expect enlightenment."


Moi, I wouldn't discount guides completely--some ARE better than others, though. I'd say, check out a few and go with what feels best.

But by all means, avoid expectations, of any kind. Expectations set limitations.

"And start meditating. Don't look up guides on what to do, and don't ever expect enlightenment."


Moi, I wouldn't discount guides completely--some ARE better than others, though. I'd say, check out a few and go with what feels best.

But by all means, avoid expectations, of any kind. Expectations set limitations.

This is how I was taught..

"Just fuckin' sit down and get to it, stop asking questions!"

Reading books about buddhism can definitely help you understand more about things and help you realize things about yourself and others. But like everyone else has been saying, don't simply believe every Buddhist text you read. Think about what you're reading and see if you can make sense of it and if you think it is in fact true. But anyways, some books I like are The Way of Chuang Tzu (Taoism), The Dhammapada (By Siddharta Guatama himself), and I also like some of the books Alan Watts writes. But pretty much just go with the flow, don't confine yourself to one style of Buddhism, or one Author, or one idea. But do check out Zen Buddhism, very interesting stuff.