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A confused beginner?

Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 10:06 pm
by siddharthagautama150
I have been interested in the Dharma for a little over a month now, particulrly the Gelug school of Tibetan Vajrayana. My problem is there is no one close to me to learn from . I don't have a vehicle so I can't travel. So I have been readng a lot, mainly on the basics, the Four Noble Truths, karma, etc. Any suggestions?

Re: A confused beginner?

Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 1:51 am
by kirtu
siddharthagautama150 wrote:I have been interested in the Dharma for a little over a month now, particulrly the Gelug school of Tibetan Vajrayana. My problem is there is no one close to me to learn from . I don't have a vehicle so I can't travel. So I have been readng a lot, mainly on the basics, the Four Noble Truths, karma, etc. Any suggestions?
Have you read a biography of the Buddha? The Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh compiled an excellent one a couple of decades ago: "Old Path, White Clouds". I would reservedly recommend "The Three Principal Aspects of the Path" by Tsongkhapa. I carried a pocket version of this everywhere with me long before I practiced Tibetan Buddhism but it may not be for everyone. You can find a teaching on this at the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive online. The version by Geshe Sonam Rinchen is very good. Otherwise check out basic teaching from any of the schools including the Theravadin schools. The Theravadin teachings in particular will begin with the Four Noble Truths. Tibetan Buddhism does not tend to begin with the Four Noble Truths or to emphasize them directly.

When I mean the basic teachings of any of the Tibetan Buddhist schools I mean something like "Three Visions", Sakya school, by Ngorchen Konchog Lhundrub, "The Jewel Ornament Of Liberation", Kagyu by Gampopa, "Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand", Gelug, by Pabongka, and I'm a bit embarrassed to not have a Nyingma basic teachings text. I'll see if I can remember one overnight ("You are the Eyes of the World", by Longchenpa but it's a bit esoteric in places so it's not basic, basic).

Kirt

Re: A confused beginner?

Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 2:13 am
by plwk
If these are of any assistance... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Re: A confused beginner?

Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 8:49 pm
by kirtu
I can't imagine how I forgot "Words of My Perfect Teacher", Nyingma (really Rime), by Patrul Rinpoche.

HH Dalai Lama also has a commentary on Tsongkhapa's "The Great Treatise...": "From Here to Enlightenment: An Introduction to Tsong-kha-pa's Classic Text The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment". HHDL's commentary (judging from the table on contents online) is a comprehensive overview of basic Buddhism from the Four Noble Truths to Madhyamika.

Kirt

Re: A confused beginner?

Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 3:49 am
by siddharthagautama150
Thank you for the suggestions. I have a copy of "Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand" that I have been meaning to read, but as I am like "really" new to the Dharma, I thought it would be little advanced for me. If you check my facebook page it lists the books I've already read. As for all the other suggestions I will definitely check them out.