Four Books That Drew Me To Buddhism

Let's talk about four books that drew me to Buddhism, and why. Please put any books that drew you to Buddhism in the comment section below!

✅ The books:

✅ Two more worth considering:

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#dougsdharma #dougsseculardharma #buddhism #secularbuddhism
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[wordscapes]

I am 53 and just started on the path this year. For me it was listening to the lectures of Thich Nhat Hanh and Ajahn Brahm. However, since I have been very much harmed by Christianity, it is your secular Buddhism that attracts me most. The overly religious ceremonies of ANY religion make me very... uncomfortable. I hope this will change in time. I am lucky enough to live in the Far East, so I am surrounded by Buddhism and temples (got three just down the road). Have not ventured to ask for assistance as yet, but I am building the courage. I have started reading Dhammapada. Yesterday, I bought a little meditation Buddha, as I have been meditating every day for about a month now. I thought it was time to welcome the Buddha into my home. I will have it blessed soon. Thank you for your wonderful videos. They are an endless source of inspiration and encouragement. It feels so refreshing to be starting something so very new... so very late in life. Thank you.

[tushargaikwad]

I born buddhist in india...never read any books on buddha but what my parents taught me help me to understand buddha...they told me buddha said everything has a reason...that help me to become logical human being...at present i started reading to read books...i wish people start reading and following buddha teaching...it will make world peaceful ..u r doing great job 👍

[ricardofranciszayas]

I got so much information from the Internet. I discovered the Dharma at the age of 57. I’m 67 now. I formally took the Refuges and precepts at 59. Whew!!! I’m old.
I read so much on the web. I learned about the Four Noble Truths, Noble Eightfold Path. Dependent Origination, etc, primarily from the Web. And so I dove right into studying the Majjhima Nikaya, and Satipathanna Sutta. However the books which I read during that time were
“What the Buddha Really Taught” by Walpola Rahula”, “
“The Life of The Buddha” by Nañamoli Bhikkhu
“Mindfulness in Plain English” by Bhante G, “
“Buddhsim beyond Belief” by Stephen Batchelor
, “The Buddha” by Karen Armstrong,
“Secular Buddhism” by Stephen Batchelor
“After Buddhism” by Stephen Batchelor
“The Buddha before Buddhism” by Gil Fronsdal
And lots of the Secular Buddhist Association podcast
Etc.

[VlogrBlogr]

My journey started in 2016 the first time I meditated with headspace. Over the years I dove head first into the practice more and more everyday. It saved me and transformed me. Little did I know that I was following Buddhist teachings without even knowing. It’s not until recently with my interests in the latest sciences quantum physics, biology and neuroscience comparing it with the insights of my practice, that I started to believe more in the Buddha and what he said. I was atheist lol. Now I’m a recent convert, I’ve accepted it whole heartedly and I’ve gone for refuge. Your videos have been a huge help! Currently reading the Wings to Awakening. It’s wonderful and beautiful. Will definitely check these out next. Thank you Doug!

[soundhealingbygene]

The Tibetan book of the dead is what got me into Buddhism when I was 27.
I was living in phoenix and found a sangha and one of the members had recommended that I learn about the four noble truths as well as the eightfold path. After that I was hooked and I soon bought a book about emptiness, a book about the middle way, as well as a book about no self. Now at age 37 I feel as though I am more mindful about my words and my actions and those who I feel like sharing my life with. I also really enjoy the work of thich nhat hanh. Thank you for sharing these books, my friend also recommended mastering the core teachings of the Buddha.

[victoriadiamond]

I have read quiet a few books but “What The Buddha Taught” by Walpole Rahula was the one that helped me get a full understanding of the Buddha’s teachings.

[Adegorr]

"Buddha in you backpack" by Franz Metcalf was the book that turned me into Buddhism. Such a great read for people my age. I was 16 whenever I borrowed this book from my Highschool's library. I'm now 18, and after a 2 year journey of "discovering my beliefs" I'm back again coming to learn the teachings in Buddhism. I'm not implying my "journey" has ended, but rather that Buddhism always made me feel at peace and comfortable from the beginning. This books are a great way to get back into it. Thanks a lot!

[adelineredford]

I remember learning mindfulness practices and learning to meditate around the age of 6. I felt that I was surrounded by beautiful light and felt a great sense of ease practicing. When I mentioned to my mother and my aunt about how wonderful my practice was they were terrified for me, and told me to never again do this as "emptying my mind" would make room for evil to enter my young mind. I was frightened by their words and struggled with what might be the truth (their words or my direct experience) . I heard the dhamma explained for the first time in the fifth grade and immediately knew it was true - but I couldn't reconcile it with my belief in the Christian God and my inherited ideas of theology. I pondered that question in silence for years afterwards.
Some years later in my late teens I was in church learning how to disprove other world religions, and so Buddhism was also covered. But through learning the dhamma more closely, even from those who didn't understand dhamma, I understood finally that I resonated deeply with the Buddhist teachings and not the biblical ones. From that moment on I became deeply interested in Buddhism and mindfulness practices in general. I bought any books I could and kept them under my mattress in secret (though I know now my mom found them anyways) one of which was Jack Kornfield's The Awakened Heart. I have since restarted my life overseas and happily embrace secular Buddhism~

[patrickdrazen]

"Zen Flesh, Zen Bones" first appeared in 1961; when I found it in 1968, I was in high school. The content is mostly Mahayana and Zen Buddhism, but it also contained an excerpt from the Dhammapada which stated that misery comes to both the winners and losers in war, and that he who transcends victory and defeat finds happiness--which nobody else was saying during the Vietnam War. Quite a revelation...

[thomasburnham]

Thanks for sharing Doug. YouTube videos—namely yours, Koi’s Corner, and Enthusiastic Buddhist—sparked my interest!

[grizzadams]

The book for me was a book on Buddhism through the Open University in the UK. It was a comparative religion course where you study the big 6 religions. I was particularly looking forward to the Buddhism unit. When I read about the 4 noble truths and the 8 fold path I felt like a big hand had just lifted off my shoulders at my desk as it seemed so logical and relevant.

[WinTheHouseYouLove]

Thanks so much! I’m reading What The Buddha Taught now

[anoridinaryhumanbeing]

I was introduced to Buddhism by books of two authors:

>Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnameese Zen Buddhist teacher. I really loved the first day I read his books. They were light, simple, and easy to practice.
>Osho, a 20th century Indian mystic. Despite the controversies surrounding -- his wisdom is immense, and I love him as one loves a wise friend.
>and the much loved, 'Zen mind, beginner's mind', by Suzuki roshi. That book is pretty whole in itself-- so is its title.

I really loved these authors' works. each one of them.
Other few also I read, but they didn't seem that good to me.
Thanks for these recommendations.

Also, there's Shohaku Okumura roshi, , his works are marvellous. I don't think I'm worthy enough to comment on him. I do absorb his texts/vidoes. They are priceless. He has really a damn solid grasp of the Soto Zen tradition, and has really walked the talk.

And, I've observed, there's a difference between reading books on Buddhism and collecting dry-knowledge.
Versus, ,
actually practicing the Dhamma, , living by the Dhamma. Every moment, every breath. Day and night.
The latter brings peace and understanding, , and the former, intellectual superority, or 'buddhist ego'.
That's, ofcourse, in my insignificant, humble view, ,

As a chineese master once said, ,
'fill your heart with compassion, and your mind will be filled with tranquility'..
I've observed, that's pretty true.

with love, ,
and thanks for the uploads, they help.
<3

[andrewfainges]

For me it was “The Heart of The Buddha’s Teaching” by Thich Nhat Hanh. As I kept reading it resonated very strongly.

[joshuakilroy]

I just started reading Stephen Batchelor and it is an outstanding working through of some of the most challenging issues in keeping Buddhism relevant for our times.

[wiser.kinder.calmer.]

Thich Nhat Hanhs “Heart of Awakening” is really very beautifully written commentaries of several of the core Buddhist Sutra's

[herbalmaharaj]

The Dhammapada is the most important scripture I’ve ever read.

[lifegoeson]

I was officially turned to Buddha Dhamma, when I was about 15 years old and read Dhammacakkappavattana sutta translation for the first time. That time, I remember when I read it, my mind was blowed and amazed, and then I got a little bit in my eyes... After reading it, I knew I can't ignore the message and I was soon turn to Buddha image and knee down... Proclaiming myself as his follower forever.

Before that I was a non-religious boy and coming from a family background with Taoism belief.

[doyle]

Also ordered 'Confession of a Buddhist Atheist'!!

[Singularidade]

Besides your channel, that I learned a lot of secular Buddhism. My first book was "The life of Buddha". Which is basic a chronological recollection (based on the Canon Pali) as the title says, of the life of the Buddha