Buddhist Network of Central Ohio

Buddhist ‘Dhamma talks’ and other resources in MP3 format are fast becoming the best way to get your Dhamma fix in the modern age, due to the relative rarity of Buddhist and meditation centers, though these organizations are becoming more common every year.

Here are some of my favorite resources:

• Access to Insight Theravadan Suttas, commentaries, and essays on the Dhamma.
• Buddhist Publishing Talks from Thai Forest tradition masters, such as Ajahn Sumedho. Despite the recent controversy on bhikkhuni ordination, Ajahn Sumedho’s talks and books remain in my favorites.
• Bhavana Society of WV Dhamma talks Renowned monks Bhante Gunaratana and Bhante Rahula opened a lovely monastery in West Virginia, Bhavana Society. Bhante Rahula in particular gives talks that resonate with the American psyche, being American himself.
  
• BBAC Dhamma Talks (English and Chinese) A wonderful informally-run retreat center and Dhamma study group records their meditation retreats and talks.
• Buddhist Society of Western Australia Ajahn Brahmavamso, now world famous for his expulsion from the Thai Forest Sangha for ordaining women in Australia, puts his talks up on MP3 here.
• Buddhist Geeks Podcast Interviews from Buddhist figureheads from Vince Horn, whom you can also follow on Twitter and Facebook.
• Thich Nhat Hanh talks Thich Nhat Hanh on video and MP3
• Buddhanet TalksVarious Dhamma talks, chanting, etc.
• Zen Chants on Zendust.org
  
• Free Buddhist MP3′s A huge variety of MP3 resources for Buddhists

Here are some of internet resources for Dhamma and Sutta study. If you have resources that you use, please share them in the comments.

• Best country-wide organization Directory Harvard’s Pluralism Project has a terrific news feed as well as the directory and informational pages on many religions.
• Buddhist Education Network  E-books, magazine, MP3′s, modules for educational programs- this site has it all.
• DharmaDictionary.net Tibetan-English Dictionary, Dharma Glossaries, and Resources edited in part by my dear friend, Richard Babcock.
• Access to Insight Theravadan resources, files, essays and suttas.
• Ashoka courses Buddhist Channel website’s courses on various Dhamma subjects by well-known teachers such as Bhikkhu Bodhi and Robert Thurman
• What the Buddha said in plain English Bhikkhu Samahita’s site has masses of text and teachings to sort through. His Google group sends out daily Dhamma offerings, quotes, and rief teachings. If you don’t have a lot of time to study this is a great way to get teaching every day. He is also on Facebook.
• Zen Order of Hsu Yun (Empty Cloud) To be in his presence was said to be like walking through a cloud- cool, calm, and devoid of formation. This Zen Master lived to be almost 130 and died in the 1950′s, but before he died he founded the first Buddhist temple in Hawaii. A legendary person whose teachings on hua t’ou (thought-tail, the point of recite koans) are clear and concise
• Mahayana Budhist Suttas in English Designed to help English readers interested in learning more about Mahayana Buddhism.
• Sacred Text Archive A variety of religious text and full e-books available in HTML format.
• Vipassana Research Institute Online index of articles form an internationally popular newsletter.

There are many sources of free materials and resources on the web for Buddhists or students of Buddhism, but picking out the most suitable book for yourself or a friend is like finding a needle in a haystack. The e-book file libraries at Buddhanet and Access to Insight, for instance, have hundreds if not thousands of files available for download.

Fortunately, there is a compulsive reader who has done the research for you (me). Below is a resource list of some of the best books I’ve read on Buddhism, available free to download or to read on the web. They cover a spectrum of viewpoints and methodology to better meet the needs of a varied population, and were written by an eclectic mix of monks and laypeople. Please enjoy and feel free to post your favorites in the comment field below the list.

1. The Four Noble Truths by Ajahn Sumedho (.PDF)
This book is a series of transcribed Dhamma talks by Ajahn Sumedho, who was a British disciple of Ajahn Chah and a founder of one of the first Buddhist monasteries in England. The talks are very personal, not stilted in language at all, and cover a variety of topics. The introduction, written by Ven. Amaravati, is one of the best essays on Dependent Origination I’ve ever read.

2. Master Hsu Yun’s Discourses and Dharma words by Empty Cloud (web text)
Empty Cloud (Master Xu Yun) was a famous Zen monk who lived 120 years before he died in the late 1950′s. He was passionate about bringing the Buddha-Dharma to the West, and founded the first monastery inHawaii. This book contains a detailed explanation to hua t’ou, or “thought-tail”, which is interesting and worth the read for its’ sake. The language is a little stilted, but that should be overcome to get to the gems in this book.

3. Anapanasati Sutta, by Ven. Vimalaramsi (pdf)
This is a meditation instruction book, written by an American monk who currently runs the Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center inMissouri. He was also the firstUS Representative to the World Buddhist Supreme Council in January 2007. While the subject material is nothing new, the Ven. offers a different (and somewhat controversial) point of view on the practicing of the Tranquil Wisdom meditation that is well worth the read. Partial translations are available in Burmese, Dutch, German, Korean, Norwegian, Russian, and Spanish.

4. A Manual of Abhidhamma by by Nārada Thera, Vājirārāma, Colombo (web text)
The Abidhamma is one of the more advanced and complex texts to study. You may wish to read this with the assistance of a Master or other teacher. A quote about the Abhidhamma: “The Abhidhamma takes no account of the personal inclinations and cognitive capacities of the listeners; it makes no concessions to particular pragmatic requirements. It reveals the architectonics of actuality in an abstract, formalistic manner utterly devoid of literary embellishments and pedagogical expedients.”

5. Treasury of Truth – Dhammapada  by Ven. Sarada Maha Thero (download link to .PDF)
This ebook contains the Dhammapada, the Kalama Sutta, and a few short stories and commentaries. The Dhammapada is famous, and not just for its opening line, “We are what we think; all that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.” The Kalama Sutta contains the most famous quote from the Buddha:
“Do not believe in something simply because you have heard it.
Do not believe in traditions simply because they have been handed down for generations.
Do not believe in anything because it is rumored and spoken of by many.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is written in your religious books.
Do not believe anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.
But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit or one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”

6. To Cherish All Life by Roshi Philip Kapleau (download link to .PDF)
This book examines the reasons why vegetarianism is advised. The eating of meat is something left up to the individual in Buddhism, but is advisable for personal health reasons and for the practice of compassion. In the six realms of existence, what we do to relieve the suffering of others has a profound effect on our lives. If you can’t go whole-hog vegetarian, please consider joining the “One Day a Week” campaign or using the ‘Vegetarian‘ category for resources.

7. Zen For Americans by Soyen Shaku (web text)
This classic was written in 1905 and was a landmark text for elucidating Zen to Westerners. It is a series of essays translated by Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki. Leo Tolstoy, writer of War and Peace, famously referenced this book in his anti-war declaration.

8. The Buddhist Bible by Dwight Goddard (web text)
After referencing this book in ‘Is there a Buddhist Bible?‘ last week, it deserves a place here. This manuscript was a key influence on Jack Kerouak, writer of On the Road and one of the most famous Beat Generation writers. The effect that this book has has on Western Buddhism cannot be measured.

9. Analytical Study of the Jhanas in Theravada Meditation by Henepola Gunaratana (download link to .PDF)
For the more advanced meditator, here is an exposition on the Jhanas, or signposts of meditation. Be careful not to enhance your hindrances with over-attachment to the signs of higher meditation and process under the advisement of a good teacher, if possible. This was written by the same monk who wrote the famous classic meditation guide, “Mindfulness in Plain English”.

10. Small Boat, Great Mountain (pdf) by Amaro Bikkhu (pdf)
This is a great collection of stories and talks by an American-based monk. The stories are personal, empathetic and real. A great read.

While the sheer volume of information can seem daunting, it is best when reading to simply take what you can understand and leave the rest for another time. Understandings about these concepts happen best organically and in their own good time. Don’t be hard on yourself or the text if it doesn’t become crystal clear immediately, just move on to the next resource until you find one that resonates with you.

1.  Buddhanet’s “Introduction to Buddhism” by Mike Butler

“Buddhism has been described as a very pragmatic religion. It does not indulge in metaphysical speculation about first causes; there is no theology, no worship of a deity or deification of the Buddha. Buddhism takes a very straightforward look at our human condition; nothing is based on wishful thinking, at all. Everything that the Buddha taught was based on his own observation of the way things are. Everything that he taught can be verified by our own observation of the way things are.”

This is usually the first site that comes up in an internet search about Buddhism. This short essay gives a concise overview.

2.  Buddhism–A Brief Introduction for Westerners by Gerald Grow

“Buddhists have given deep attention to the ways human beings are at once empowered and entrapped by the categories we create for thought and language. Racial prejudice is a straightforward example of what Buddhists mean by suffering that is created by the mind; it is based on mental categories that distort perception and project our expectations onto others. The fundamental Buddhist act is to accept responsibility for one’s projections, and to learn to know, first hand, how the mind creates illusion and amplifies suffering.”    (From Section 2: Suffering is caused by attachment)

This essay was written by a Professor of Journalism atFloridaA&MUniversityas a very basic introduction. He is not a Buddhist, but seems to understand the concepts well enough to have a few lovely gems like the one quoted above. There are also a few pictures with this essay illustrating key points, which is unusual in itself and earned it an inclusion on this list.

3.  The Big View

“It is the mind that thinks “cup” and “table”. Does it follow that the mind is responsible for the existence of these objects? – Apparently, the mind does not perceive cups and tables if there is no visual and tactile sensation. And, there cannot be visual and tactile sensation if there is no physical object. The perception thus depends on the presence of sensations, which in turn relies on the presence of the physical object. This is to say that the cup’s essence is not in the mind. It is neither to be found in the physical object. Obviously, its essence is neither physical nor mental. It cannot be found in the world, not in the mind, and certainly not in any heavenly realm, as Plato imagined. We must conclude that the objects of perception have therefore no inherent existence.” (from “Emptiness is Form”)

This website is an excellent resource for any student of philosophy and quantum science, but its section on Buddhism is particularly well explained. It has all of the basic topics: the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, the Precepts, and so on. Share and Enjoy!

4.  Buddhism, based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama

“Buddhism currently has about 365 million followers and is the world’s fourth largest religion after Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. It was founded in Northern India by Siddhartha Gautama (circa 563 to 460 BCE).” (quote from intro)

This resource is informational rather than philosophical in nature. It gives a brief history, an overview of different branches, and offers a comparison to Christian beliefs. It also discusses briefly a few hot topics, such as homosexuality, which earned its inclusion to the list.

5.  Frequently Asked Questions About Buddhism by John T. Bullitt

Done in a Q&A format, this resource answers some basic questions, such as:
• If we’re all reborn when we die, how does Buddhism explain the world’s increasing population?
• If there’s no self, then who gets enlightened?/what gets reborn?/why…?
• I hear the word “sangha” used a lot these days in Buddhist circles. What does it really mean?

6.  The Systems View of Life
Chapter 8 of the Turning Point – by Fritjof Capra

“As human beings, we shape our environment very effectively because we are able to represent the outer world symbolically, to think conceptually, and to communicate our symbols, concepts, and ideas. We do so with the help of abstract language, but also nonverbally through painting, music and other forms of art. In our thinking and communication we not only deal with the present but can also refer to the past and anticipate the future, which gives us a degree of autonomy far beyond anything found in any other species. The development of abstract thinking, symbolic language, and the various other human capabilities all depend crucially on a phenomenon that is characteristic of the human mind. Human beings possess consciousness; we are aware not only of our sensations but also of ourselves as thinking and experiencing individuals.” (quote from chapter)

This is a chapter of a book, not an article, but it elaborates very nicely on the scientific perspective. The language is far more sophisticated than the previous article, so it is not for everybody. While Fritjof Capra does not mention Buddhism in this article, he wrote extensively on the subject in other books and the writing here is compatible. For those who can’t get past the Sanskrit terms and stilted language of the suttas, this is for you.

7.  Introduction to Buddhism by Bhikkhu Bodhi

Bhikkhu Bodhi is a renowned American Buddhist who has translated thousands of Buddhist suttas and published them in thick, heavy-as-a-baby volumes. The books, such as the “Middle Length Discourses”, have received widespread acclaim from the Sangha and lay community. This collection of mp3 Dhamma talks elucidates key points, and the format is one of my favorites since you can listen to them in the car or while you do dishes, instead of sitting at your computer.

8.  An Introduction to Buddhism

“The Buddha wandered the plains of northeastern India for 45 years more, teaching the path or Dharma he had realized in that moment. Around him developed a community or Sangha of monks and, later, nuns, drawn from every tribe and caste, devoted to practicing this path. In approximately 486 BC, at the age of 80, the Buddha died. His last words are said to be… “Impermanent are all created things; Strive on with awareness.”

This very thorough guide has sections on cosmology, the wheel of life, the suttas, and other resources like a list defining the vocabulary in the suttas. This resource is a good next step to broadening your understanding after reading the previous articles. It is advised to completely read and understand the introduction of each section before trying to assimilate the information.

9.  The Buddhist Bible

“Let us recall the fact that the knowledge of Buddhism in America and Europe has all come within a hundred years. For seventy-five years of that time it was presented largely by Christian linguistic scholars who were more or less unconsciously prejudiced against it and who very imperfectly understood its deeper implications. It is only within the last twenty-five years that books written by competent and sympathetic Buddhist scholars have begun to appear.” (from preface)

This book was written in 1932, just when a real understanding of Buddhism was beginning to develop amongst western scholars. The entire volume is online for your perusal.

10.  Pluralism Directory

This is a listing of spiritual communities done byHarvardUniversity. Much of the information is still accurate, so it’s a good way to find a sangha or teacher in your area.