Starting point for Buddhism?

I remember a book titled Entering the Stream. You might also check out articles from Buddhist magazines like Tricycle.

 

Buddhism is not a religion in a sense that there is no concept of God as almighty entity who you should pray for giving you favours or forgiving sins. It's explanation of the works of consciousness and matter and how to observe it through meditation. There is no concept of blind faith either. Buddhism actually advises against having a blind faith towards anything. Instead it tells you: meditate, observe it yourself and only then gain wisdom from your own observations, not from observations of other people. Therefore, it's not beneficial to just read about Buddhism, it's better to jump into practice.

I started 10 years ago from Vipassana Meditation retreat. It's an onsite silent meditation retreat completely free of charge, but they ask a donation at the end if you were happy with the course. Usually most of the people donate either money or their time serving others. All you need is a commitment for 10 days to follow the rules and meditate around 14 hours a day. It sounds daunting at first, but it turns out into exciting roller coaster journey into the nature of your mind. The main draw for me was that it doesn't try to convince you of anything. It tells you exercises to do, which look very simple at first, but once you start doing them, you start understanding that you are not in control of your mind at all. It's like 10 wild horses pulling you out in different directions... Then at the end of the day, there is a recorded video of the teacher talking what exactly you have experienced and explaining the phenomena... I came back a changed man. I stopped meditating to my deep regret shortly after, but I cherish a thought of coming back to it, when I can get more time for myself.

Check it out https://www.dhamma.org/en-US/index and I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.

 

That's what you should decide for yourself. If all you need is a label to put on your social media profile, because it looks cool, just accept taking a refuge in triple gem (buddha, dhamma and sangha) and you are a Buddhist. But it's same as people who just get baptized into Christianity, put a cross on the neck and call themselves Christians, despite they may not be behaving like one.

I hesitate calling myself "a Buddhist". Because this usually means actively practicing meditation which I don't do regularly. Instead I say "I'm rooted in Buddhism" meaning that I accept the Buddhist view of the world, it's main tenets, the laws of Dhamma, such as karma and reincarnation. But without practice it means nothing, because if I was actively practicing I wouldn't be on this site. I highly doubt a practicing buddhist wouldn't be able to take care of PMO addiction through meditation and if they still can't then there is something wrong with their practice. Practicing buddhists out there, please feel free to contradict.

 

As an identity anyone can label themselves as they see fit, formally speaking there are vows, and one of the most basic teachings is taking refuge in the three jewels of buddha, dharma and sangha and you can look that up.

Other core teachings are the Four noble truths and the Eight fold path, all of which are easily found by doing a search.

By the way, there's some question as to how much meditation and mindfulness features in the original teachings, this is from people who have studied the traditional texts and have a broader understanding of the overall context. I bet if you ask someone who just meditates at a local meditation center and have done a few retreats there's a good chance they can't even name all 8 folds not to mention things like jnana states. Being that dharma is one of the things you actually take refuge in the teachings matter, and teachings are written in books.

And again as it relates to recovery there is now the Refuge Recovery movement.

 

One little detail is the eight fold path is not an eight step path, the RR book explicitly makes this point. It's a parallel process, not a series of steps like 12 step. You don't stop being mindful when you're working on "right" livelihood or speech for example, it all pretty much happens at the same time. (and I put the word in quotes because that is probably a bad translation, some say wise understanding, wise intent etc.)

 

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW OF BUDDHISM
Welcome to Buddhism. Please take a read through this post which helps to get an idea as to what things need to be learned and understood when choosing the path of Buddhism.

Introduction to Buddhism:
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/intro_bud.htm

Teachings and Practice path Basics:
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/pathmaps.htm


SAMSARA
Samsara means this cyclical existence of birth, life, and death where we are exposed to suffering from one life to another.


REFUGE
Entering Buddhism starts with the taking of Refuge. That is the Refuge in the Three Jewels
1. Buddha, our Teacher
2. Dharma, his Teaching
3. Sangha, the Taught
We try to take refuge from the dangers of Samsara by depending on the Three Jewels. This is to accept that there is no other Refuge but the Three Jewels which can liberate us from the horrors and dangers of Samsara.

Taking Refuge in Buddha is the see the Buddha as the Teacher whose teachings help us liberate from Samsara into Nirvana.

Taking Refuge in the Dharma/Dhamma means that we see this Dharma taught by Buddha as the true teaching which helps us to escape Samsara.

Taking Refuge in the Sangha means to accept that all those who have taken Refuge (i.e. other Buddhists) are our spiritual companions. This is the broadest meaning of what it means to take Refuge in the Sangha. One a more specific level, Sangha refers to those who are ordained that are committed to the Buddhist path more than lay Buddhists.


FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
Sanskrit: Cattāri Ariyasaccāni
1. Dukkha - All sentient beings experience suffering.
2. Samudaya - Suffering is caused by craving, aversion, and ignorance.
3. Nirodha - There is a way to put an end to this suffering.
4. Magga / Marga - The way to end suffering is by following the noble eightfold path.

Four Noble Truths Wikipedia Article
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Noble_Truths


NOBLE EIGHT-FOLD PATH
Pali: Ariyo Aṭṭhaṅgiko Maggo; Sanskrit: Aryāṣṭāṅgamārga
The Noble Eight-Fold Path is practiced in the form of the Three-Fold Training.

1. Sammā-diṭṭhi / Samyak-dṛṣṭi - Right view/understanding
2. Sammā saṅkappa / Samyak-saṃkalpa - Right thought/resolve/intention/aspiration
3. Sammā-vācā / Samyag-vāc - Right speech
4. Sammā-kammanta / Samyak-karmānta - Right action
5. Sammā-ājīva / Samyag-ājīva - Right livelihood
6. Sammā-vāyāma / Samyag-vyāyāma - Right effort
7. Sammā-sati / Samyak-smṛti - Right mindfulness
8. Sammā-samādhi / Samyak-samādhi - Right concentration

Noble Eightfold Path Wikipedia Article
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Path


THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF EXISTENCE
Pali: Tilakkhaṇa; Sanskrit: Trilakṣaṇa
All conditions things (Saṅkhāra / Saṃskāra) have three things in common. They are all…

1. Anicca/Anitya – Impermanent
2. Dukkha – Unsatisfactory (or causes suffering) and imperfect
3. Anatta/Anatma – non-self or lack of self-essence

Buddhism rejects the view that this world is created and ruled by a God.

Three Marks of Existence Wikipedia Article
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_marks_of_existence


INTERDEPENDENT ORIGINATION / DEPENDENT CO-ARISING

Sanskrit: Pratītyasamutpāda; Pali: Paṭiccasamuppāda

This is the universal law of cause and effect which have twelve steps in its process. Accordingly, to the Dependent Co-Arising everything is relative, interdependent and interrelated and nothing is absolute, permanent and everlasting in this universe.

Dependent Arising:
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/depend.htm

Dependent Origination Wikipedia Article
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prat%C4%ABtyasamutp%C4%81da


AGGREGATES
Sanskrit: Skandhas, Pāḷi: Khandhas
Whichever sentient lifeforms that exist are just bundles of five different aggregates only.
There is no permanent essence within any of these aggregates and they all show the 3 characteristics which are non-self, impermanence, and unsatisfactoriness. The view of an eternal soul or self is rejected in Buddhism. These are the five different aggregates which constitute a sentient living being.

1. Rupa - Form
2. Vedana - Feeling
3. Sanna/Samja - Perception
4) Sankhara/Samskara - Mental formation/volitions
5) Vinnana/Vinjana - Consciousness

Aggregates Wikipedia Article
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skandha


KAMMA / KARMA
Karma is the law that every cause has an effect, i.e., our actions have results.
Karma:
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/karma.htm

Karma in Buddhism Wikipedia Article
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma_in_Buddhism


REBIRTH / REINCARNATION
In Buddhism, death is not the end of life. Life continues to exist after death as long as we are in Samsara.
The way we are reborn can be influenced by so many factors including the way we practice, our karma in our present and previous lives as well as various other factors.
Rebirth in Buddhism Wikipedia Article
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebirth_(Buddhism)


PRECEPTS
There are many precepts in Buddhism and Buddhists can commit to as many precepts as they like. However, the bare minimum precepts to be followed as a Buddhist are the 5 precepts.
1. Refrain from killing or harming sentient living beings.
2. Refrain from false speech.
3. Refrain from sexual misconduct and sensual overindulgence
4. Refrain from stealing.
5. Refrain from intoxicants (or alternatively to avoid becoming intoxicated).

Buddhist Ethics:
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/budethics.htm

Five Precepts Wikipedia Article
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_precepts


FOUR IMMEASURABLES / SUBLIME ABODES
Sanskrit: Brahmavihāra
These are virtuous states of mind which are encouraged to be developed especially in the form of meditations

1. Metta/Maitreya – Loving-Kindness
2. Karuna – Compassion
3. Mudita – Altruistic Joy
4. Upekkha/Upeksha – Equanimity

Four Immeasurables Wikipedia Article
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmavihara


MEDITATION
Pali: Bhavana

Meditation is the heart of Buddhism. The Buddha was in the meditative state when he became Enlightened. It just shows how essential meditation is within Buddhist practice. The Buddhist texts give details on different methods of meditation used in Buddhism and their purpose. The different forms of meditation within Buddhism helps to achieve Right Concentration and Right Mindfulness and (Wisdom) within the Noble Eight-Fold Path, as well as reach Wisdom within the Three-Fold Training.

Advice on Meditation:
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/advicemed.htm

Buddhist Meditation Wikipedia Article
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_meditation


QUALITIES CONDUCIVE TO ENLIGHTENMENT
Pali: Bodhipakkhikā Dhammā / Bodhapakkhiyā Dhammā; Sanskrit: Bodhipakṣa Dharma
These are seven sets of thirty-seven qualities/attributes which are different aspects of the Path taught by the Buddha leading to Enlightenment.

1. Satipatthana / Smrtyupasthana - Four Forms of Presence of Mindfulness
2. Sammappadhana / Samyakpradhana - Four Right Efforts
3. Iddhipada / Irddhipada - Four Bases
4. Indriya - Five Faculties
5. Bala - Five Powers
6. Bojjhanga / Bodhyanga - Seven Factors of Enlightenment
7. Ariyamagga / Aryamarga - Eight-fold Noble Path

Qualities Conducive Or Related To Awakening Wikipedia Article
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhipakkhiyādhammā


ENLIGHTENMENT
Pali: Nibbana, Sanskrit: Nirvaṇa
This is the ultimate goal and purpose of following the Buddhist path. Enlightenment is the freedom from Samsara where the mind is permanently liberated from the three poisons of Craving, Aversion, and Delusion.
There are three ways of attaining bodhi or Enlightenment: namely as a disciple (Srāvaka), as a Pratyekabuddha and as a Samyaksambuddha (perfectly and fully enlightened Buddha).
Nirvana Wikipedia Article
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana_(Buddhism)


LIFE STOREY OF BUDDHA

Having a background knowledge of the Life of Buddha will be helpful because his life is an example to those who follow his path and his teachings. It helps to show how the teachings of Buddhism was put into practice.
Gautama Buddha Wikipedia Article
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha


SCRIPTURE
Just like almost all religions, Buddhism too has its own scriptures. All practices which are done in Buddhism has a basis in scripture (i.e. the instructions for all practices done in Buddhism are written down in scripture). The different traditions of Buddhism have their own scriptures.
Buddhist Texts Wikipedia Article
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_texts


CHOOSING A TRADITION / SCHOOL OF BUDDHISM
When entering Buddhism it is important to choose which tradition of Buddhism which one prefers to take teachings and practices from. Buddhism has three different traditions -
Theravada - Teachings of the Elders
Mahayana - The Great Vehicle
Vajrayana - The Thunderbolt Vehicle

Schools of Buddhism Wikipedia Article
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schools_of_Buddhism


FINDING A TEACHER / LOOK FOR A BUDDHIST GROUP NEAR YOU
Whiles textbooks and web resources can be of help in the path they are not a complete replacement or substitution for the requirement to have a teacher.
Please feel free to use the World Buddhist Directory hosted by BuddhaNet to find a local Sangha near you.
World Buddhist Directory on BuddhaNet
http://www.buddhanet.info/wbd/

Please beware of controversial Buddhist groups. Best to avoid them.
Here is a list of Buddhist groups with some form of controversy attached to them or their teachers.
http://viewonbuddhism.org/controversy-controversial-teacher…

May the Triple Gem Bless you!