A confused beginner?
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- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2013 9:48 pm
A confused beginner?
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?
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.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?
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
Kirt's Tibetan Translation Notes
"Even if you practice only for an hour a day with faith and inspiration, good qualities will steadily increase. Regular practice makes it easy to transform your mind. From seeing only relative truth, you will eventually reach a profound certainty in the meaning of absolute truth."
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
"Only you can make your mind beautiful."
HH Chetsang Rinpoche
"Most all-knowing Mañjuśrī, ...
Please illuminate the radiant wisdom spirit
Of my precious Buddha nature."
HH Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
"Even if you practice only for an hour a day with faith and inspiration, good qualities will steadily increase. Regular practice makes it easy to transform your mind. From seeing only relative truth, you will eventually reach a profound certainty in the meaning of absolute truth."
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
"Only you can make your mind beautiful."
HH Chetsang Rinpoche
"Most all-knowing Mañjuśrī, ...
Please illuminate the radiant wisdom spirit
Of my precious Buddha nature."
HH Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
Re: A confused beginner?
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
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
Kirt's Tibetan Translation Notes
"Even if you practice only for an hour a day with faith and inspiration, good qualities will steadily increase. Regular practice makes it easy to transform your mind. From seeing only relative truth, you will eventually reach a profound certainty in the meaning of absolute truth."
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
"Only you can make your mind beautiful."
HH Chetsang Rinpoche
"Most all-knowing Mañjuśrī, ...
Please illuminate the radiant wisdom spirit
Of my precious Buddha nature."
HH Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
"Even if you practice only for an hour a day with faith and inspiration, good qualities will steadily increase. Regular practice makes it easy to transform your mind. From seeing only relative truth, you will eventually reach a profound certainty in the meaning of absolute truth."
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
"Only you can make your mind beautiful."
HH Chetsang Rinpoche
"Most all-knowing Mañjuśrī, ...
Please illuminate the radiant wisdom spirit
Of my precious Buddha nature."
HH Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
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- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2013 9:48 pm
Re: A confused beginner?
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.