posted on Aug, 6 2003 @ 03:42 PM
Hello friends.
As far as book suggestions go, I would have to whole heartedly suggest: "What The Buddha Taught" by the Venerable Dr. Walpola Sri Rahula.
I most commonly recommend this book to people who ask for book suggestions, because out of all the books I have read on Buddhism, Dr. Walpola's books
are by far the most accurate, and heart touching. Dr. Walpola is infact a Buddhist monk too! So I feel this accredits his work even more.
Time, and time again, I have read many western books by so called "PhD's", and I myself have found mistakes in the books. I am not talking of small
mistakes, as well, I am talking of big mistakes, that can not be over looked. In one book I read the author (Who carries a PHD in the subject!) goes
on to say that one of the monks of the Sangha, was merely a lay Buddhist!? Later on in the book the author goes on to tell the story of Pukkusati,
when Pukkusati dies, the author simply states that he died, and was reborn as a human, and nothing more... Infact Pukkusati became an Arahant after he
died!? This is a minor detail, that has a huge impact on the tale.
I also want to say this as well; Should you choose to read Dr. Rahula's book, I'd just like to say that the book sort of teaches more of the
Theravada doctrine, than the Mahayana doctrine, allthough some Mahayana doctrine is included in it. You will find nothing about the Bardo.
If you have any questions, or would like more book suggestions, feel free to contact me.