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[eBook] Free: "Buddhism for Beginners: All You Need to Start Your Journey" $0 @ Amazon AU, US

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Description:
Whether you are interested in learning about Buddhism or looking to make changes in your life, Buddhism for Beginners has you covered. Written in a style that is simple and engaging, it explores the history of Buddhism, its philosophies, and its relevance in today’s society. The book provides numerous meditative exercises that will allow you to experience the wondrous teachings of this ancient wisdom.

Inside you will read about…

✓ A Brief History of Buddhism
✓ The Spread of Buddhism
✓ The Servant or the Master: Which One are You?
✓ Self-Identification with the Mind and Body
✓ Meditation
✓ The Presence of Mindfulness
✓ The Principle of Karma
✓ Dualistic versus Non-Dualistic Perspectives
✓ The Principle of Non-Substantiality
✓ One’s Life and the Environment
✓ Sentient and Non-Sentient Beings
✓ Attachment
✓ The Ten Worlds

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closed Comments

  • +4

    Who said the best things in life are free? Wisdom.

    • +4

      STDs and lices are free….

      context matters i suppose. :)

      • As long as you are wise, you can get the best out of them too

  • +12

    Just to remind all my human companions here, Buddha prohibited to sell his teachings at any price. Therefore you can find, free of charge, buddhist teachings of current masters, guided meditation, and even the entirety of his own discourses in English in all types of mediums, including internet these days. He compared himself as a doctor who diagnoses a cause of a dis-ease and offers prescription, a way out. So I am sure this is the ultimate cure for coronavirus.

    By the way, I heard one teacher to come up with a new term -karunavirus. Karuna means compassion in Pali, a language buddhist Canon is kept. So I wish you all find true cure from corona virus through karuna virus.

    Sincerely
    Kindfulness.

  • -2

    Did I see this on the last Koorong deal also?

    • +3

      Not sure why you're getting downvotes, thanks for sending me down this rabbit hole

      • Because it's a Buddhism deal. Much like criticizing a Christian or a Muslim deal, or even an Apple deal you're gonna get a lot of supporters.

      • "there they laugh: they do not understand me; I am not the mouth for these ears.” Friedrich Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra.

    • -2

      It's belief is dis-embodied and that life is painful.

    • +3

      and the modern Western obsession with Buddhism is not healthy.

      Neither is our sense that we are (essentially) exceptional.

      • +3

        I think Western culture is extremely unhealthy and we should take much more notice of what other cultures are doing.

    • +3

      life-denying philosophy

      Source ? Or is that your limited interpretation.

    • +4

      Knowing very little about this topic, leave it to the people that follow it to explain. Their explanation seems fairly logical why "not seeking worldly pleasure" does not equate to "life denying".

      https://www.reddit.com/r/Buddhism/comments/o0n28/can_buddhis…

      • Better to say 'seeking happiness that exceeds worldly and sensual pleasure'

    • +4

      Your opinion could be misled since I don't see any other committed Buddhist practitioners or monastics pursuing self-sabotage. If anything, they always look so relaxed, kind, and cheerful. If that's not healthy, I don't know what is.

      • -2

        Sound exactly like someone who never read Nietzsche, Jung, Schopenhauer or modern psychology or critiques of Buddhism or continental philosophy.

    • it is harmful
      is not healthy

      (Serious question) so what could possibly happen to me that's harmful and unhealthy after I read this Buddhism book?

  • +3

    when can we expect free book on scientology? Love to learn the ropes of being a cult leader before starting a new religion

    • If scientology publishes a book and puts it on amazon and make it free, will people post it here too?

    • i think you need to hand over banking passwords and credentials. I'm starting a "make me rich" for profit cult.

  • +2

    Buddha is from India, right? Any connection with Hinduism?

    • +1

      Buddhisms are forms of Hinduisms. Plurals added for emphasis that none of this is monolithic. Hinduism just means beliefs originating from the subcontinent, most characterised by some similar precepts. The Buddha people most often reference, Siddhartha Gautama, was indeed from the subcontinent.

      • thevofa - you seem to know a bit on the topic. I've been suggested to read a biography on Siddhartha Gautama by a friend but the only titles she has read are in Hindi and i'm a white bread aussie haha. Have you read anything/could you (or anyone else for that matter) recommend any?

        • I don't know Buddhism as a Buddhist, only as a somewhat connected and engaged outsider (close Buddhist, current and lapsed, friends).

          (I have been an insider within another religious group, but now an outsider. I understand that those within look at their club with a very different lens than those outside. As an insider you appreciate subtleties and create sophistication like those outside can't - you have to decide which accounts to pay more credence to.)

          http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/buddhaintro.html

          • @afoveht: I wasn't looking at this from a religion perspective. More of understanding the person from a psychological perspective

        • I don't know of any biographies of Gautama so this response is possibly moving on a different tangent to your question but nevertheless.

          As with all religions and spiritual practices there are many variants. My personal preference in Zen Buddhism. And while Eckhart Tolle is not a Zen Buddhist teacher per se he does draw heavily from their philosophies. For this reason and others he is, so far, my favourite teacher.

          If this interests you I would suggest that the best starting point is his book "The Power of Now".

    • +11

      He grew up in that culture, but he grew out to become a revolutionary, by teaching against caste system, idol worship, and blood lineages of Brahman is m.

      • +4

        Jesus was a revolutionary but that doesn't mean he wasn't Jewish.

        Einstein was a revolutionary but they doesn't mean he wasn't a physicist.

        I am a wog but that doesn't mean I'm not an Aussie.

        • +6

          I understand what you mean. But Essentially his teachings are so different from Hinduism despite Hindu s and Brahmins claims so. Seems like Brahmin teachers of the day pretended to embrace Buddhism only to kill it over time. I think that's why India lost it and so many indians have very distorted and diluted perception of Buddhism.

          • +2

            @amorn:

            Essentially his teachings are so different from Hinduism

            In the context of the diversity of religion in the world they are markedly similar.

            That's like protestants saying they are dissimilar to catholics. In some (admittedly very) fundamental matters of doctrine? Yes. In other aspects? Practically brothers.

            • +2

              @afoveht: And yet protestants and catholics are different enough that millions killed each other over it…

              But that's beside the point. I'd argue, while Buddha grew up a Hindu, his version is more different to the old ways than Christianity is to Judaism. Totally not comparable to different sects relying on the same books…

              • @team teri: All religions (and cultures and most else) are stories coming from their own neighbourhoods. Just because I might disagree with, or even not get on with, my neighbour doesn't mean we don't live in the same neighbourhood and share much in common. Being similar or different to someone else shouldn't detract or add to your own value

                Serbs and Croats are similar but they'll argue forever they are different. Same with the French and Germans. They can if they want, but compared to the diversity of others they are practically the same.

          • +1

            @amorn: This comment is gold.. can't agree with you more. Indians have the most ridiculous interpretation of Buddhism. No wonder why they almost lost it.

    • +2

      Some people claim that Buddhism is a refined version of Hinduism, with the sole purpose to liberate suffering.

      • +4

        This is my understanding. Could be wrong
        Hinduism: One continues to carry soul from one birth to the next (reincarnation) until reaches the end (moksha). Hindus believe Buddha is one birth of a god named "Wishnu".
        Buddhism: One's birth is due to a reason, and if that reason is taken away, there won't be a rebirth (Nibbana). Reincarnation in Buddhism is different such that there is not continuation of soul from one birth to another.

        An analogy: The relationship between one birth to another birth in Buddhism is somewhat similar to the relationship between a parent and child. The child is born due to/based on parents but not the parent itself.

        • +1

          I like that, I think Buddhism tends to use the terminology "rebirth" instead of "reincarnation" to denote the difference where there is only Karmic energy but no soul that is transferred between births.

      • +1

        The Buddha used a language called 'Magadhi' to teach 'Buddha Dharma'.
        Magadhi is the language used by every Buddha that ever existed and will be in future.
        It was clearly said NOT to Translate it in to any other language as the meaning will be altered and the pure teaching is lost.

        This book reflects more a modern Western take on a religiously derived version for Buddhism. It is riddled with errors.

        And remember Buddhism is not a lifestyle or a religion not even a philosophy. It only provides the necessary tools for self discovery for the very rare individuals that seek to know the nature and truth of their existence.
        There is nothing to be "gained" here !! aside the discovering of the 'Truth' ('Nibbana' in Magadhi) which answers the ultimate question to 'who am I' and ends all causes to self suffering.

        Also note we now have evidence that Buddhism originates in the country now called Sri Lanka

    • Buddhism is influenced by hinduism. It is more simplified version of hinduism. A lot of concepts like karma, Non dualism and Identification are based on some of the concepts of hinduism.

    • +3

      Buddhism has some impact from Hinduism but they are definitely not the same.. Someone has to be insane to say they are even similar. Buddhism rejects the concept of a creator (or a God). Hinduism is solely based on that concept (just like most of other religions for that matter). How come these two can even be remotely similar.. Having said that, there are similarities when it comes to the popular use (probably due to the fact both religions existed same geographical area for so long so things got mixed up). But in deep down, they are fundamentally very very different religions. Buddhism isn't even a religion when you think about it. It's just a way of life.

      • Buddhism cannot be impacted by anything, it is for the sole purpose of attaining 'Nibbana' .
        The meaning can be lost over time however through incorrect translations and people associating it in to their own worldy lifestyles. Then it has lost its original form and the true teachings are lost

    • Buddhism is not a so called religion, it should never be considered as such. Rather It seems It's a body of knowledge.
      Few useful links to learn more:
      http://www.justbegood.net/MoreQuestions.htm
      http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/What%20the%20Buddh…

  • -8

    The Buddha used a language called 'Magadhi' to teach 'Buddha Dharma'.
    Magadhi is the language used by every Buddha that ever existed and will be in future.
    It was clearly said NOT to Translate it in to any other language as the meaning will be altered and the pure teaching is lost.

    This book reflects more a modern Western take on a religiously derived version for Buddhism. It is riddled with errors.

    And remember Buddhism is not a lifestyle or a religion not even a philosophy. It only provides the necessary tools for self discovery for the very rare individuals that seek to know the nature and truth of their existence.
    There is nothing to be "gained" here !! aside the discovering of the 'Truth' ('Nibbana' in Magadhi) which answers the ultimate question to 'who am I' and ends all causes to self suffering.

    Also note we now have evidence that Buddhism originates in the country now called Sri Lanka

    • +2

      Based on my limited knowledge - I believe that notion that the teachings were NOT to translate to any other language is false. He said that the teachings would be useless if only scholars could understand it. Based on the principles of Buddhism, which are often neither black or white, I would say that this is an example of skillful means rather than dogma. Discussion on reddit here: https://www.reddit.com/r/theravada/comments/cnbsoh/you_are_n…

      Also, where did you get this evidence about Buddhism originating in Sri Lanka? I have not heard of even Sri Lankans saying this.

      • Even further, he encouraged his disciples to teach in local languages wherever they are.

      • Buddhism cannot be propagated by means of logical reasoning or belief.
        It's not a form of knowledge but a science for the individual seeking 'Nibbana' (also translated as spiritual enlightenment which is not correct)

        There is all the Archealogical evidence available today with locations connecting to History and the poeple from that time. If you look at the Sinhalese language we can find direct correlations/derivations to the Magadhi language.

        Hope you don't stop here and look in to more research. But the internet will tell you otherwise. The British have obscured the History in Sri Lanka and the damage is difficult to undo even with concrete evidence.

  • +2

    it free have a read and understand it for yourself.

  • +4

    As expected, those who suppress buddhism physically seem to be doing that digitally as well! World knows for a fact that they have even weirder customs and spiritual practices themselves that science would hysterically laugh at. If there is evidence that buddhsim originated in Sri Lanka, which even the Sri Lankans won't claim, there is also evidence that Albert Einstein was a belly dancer :)

    As long as one's beliefs give him peace and happiness without causing any harm to himself or anyone else, just let him believe. Why this hatred and attempts to divide? This comes from a true (not pretend) non-believer.

    • As long as one's beliefs give him peace and happiness without causing any harm to himself or anyone else, just let him believe.

      Fixed.

      (Also known as the Wiccan Rede or a (white) satanic pledge.)

    • Buddhism cannot be propagated by means of logical reasoning or belief.
      It's not a form of knowledge but a science for the individual seeking 'Nibbana' (also translated as spiritual enlightenment which is not correct)

      There is all the Archealogical evidence available today with locations connecting to History and the poeple from that time. If you look at the Sinhalese language we can find direct correlations/derivations to the Magadhi language.

      Hope you don't stop here and look in to more research. But the internet will tell you otherwise. The British have obscured the History in Sri Lanka and the damage is difficult to undo even with concrete evidence.

  • -2

    Better title “How to think uncritically & develop false equivalence thinking“

    • Could you explain the reasoning behind your statements?

      • +1

        funny that you ask and sorry for my lack of knowledge. Is Buddhism based on proven fact?

        • +3

          Depends on what you mean by 'proven fact'. It sounds to be me that you're asking if it's scientifically-backed.

          Buddhism is a faith-based practice, and such its spiritual elements can't be proven by science. However, many of its practices like mindfulness and meditation have strong backing from the science of wellness and happiness. These days, you may say it's a bunch of common sense, but you have to remember that Buddhism is an ancient philosophy while psychology and neuroscience have only been around for not more than a century.

          Anyways, if you're interested, I recommend taking up this popular Coursera course by Robert Wright: Buddhism and Modern Psychology

    • I'm sure Boy George wud disagree!

    • Actually the Buddha said it's foolish if you just believe in anything (including yourself) . So I would say he is the master of critical thinking.

      • Not really. That’s a pretty dumb statement
        But maybe when I’m channeling the universe I’ve been holding it wrong

  • +3

    OzBargain's religion of choice?

  • Can this cure rona?

    • Depends on your ability to digest

  • -7

    Does it cover how to massacre Rohingya people?

    Massacre of Rohingyans by Buddhist monks made me lose all respect for Bhudhism.

  • So many experts on religion on Ozbargain! And I had thought they only appear in pubs after midnight!

  • Buddhism was not intended to be religion but it was made into one after the death of the Buddha.
    Just like any other religion, it starts off nice and calm but then shit hits the fan and before you know it, there are millions dead.
    Buddhism can also be included into the list of archaic religions, mainly with the rise of Rohingya Genocide at the hands of the fanatic Buddhists of Myanmar.

    In other words, I hate religions.

    • I emphatize and agree with your points. Basically it's the difference between the claims and actual deeds.

  • +1

    My take is that a lot of extra baggages have been added to teachings throughout centuries, culturally and also philosophically.

    The teachings, theories, and any intellectual exercises are all just like a finger pointing to the moon. Look at the moon yourself, and don't be obsessed with the finger.

  • There are two similar versions of a prominent Einstein quote on Buddhism floating around the web, reproducing themselves in viral fashion. They are:

    Buddhism has the characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future: It transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and theology; it covers both the natural and the spiritual, and it is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity.

    and:

    The religion of the future will be a cosmic religion. It should transcend personal God and avoid dogma and theology. Covering both the natural and the spiritual, it should be based on a religious sense arising from the experience of all things natural and spiritual as a meaningful unity. Buddhism answers this description. If there is any religion that could cope with modern scientific needs it would be Buddhism.

  • Fun fact: Following Buddhism does not require you to spend $$$ at Blue Budha.

  • Thanks OP; this makes the path to Salvation easier; glory to Ozbargain!

  • Really eye opening going to Taiwan, seeing a buddhism temple every 50metres and huge 20 story "buddhism" buildings. As well as endless tourist shrines, full of European and American 18-20 year olds staying in dorms.

    Looses some of its coolness when you realise its a huge business.

    • Buddhist temples not Buddhism temples.

  • No longer free?

  • No longer free?

  • Also free Essence of Buddhism

    https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B077MK2GJ6

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