(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best karma books

This is the last place you'll find any sort of helpful information on zen. Ewk and a few other ideologs have pretty much hijacked the forum. /r/zendo is good, but its not nearly as active. You're not wrong for assuming zen can be peaceful and elegant, its what you want it to be. A lot of what you see here is westerners confusing zen with nihilism. If I were to mention the Two Truths Doctrine here, many wouldn't really know what I was talking about. Things like this getting over looked is why you seen so much arguing here. Its mostly due to lack of understanding of buddhist doctrine by westerners that are new to the religion.

With that said, Suzuki Roshi's Zen Mind Beginner's Mind was a great starting point for myself. If you want tot just download it for free, Heres a link to the pdf. Also this website gives rough details into soto zen practice and forms. http://global.sotozen-net.or.jp
Last book, this isn't zen, but Zen is considered Mahayana Buddhism and shares many of the same teaching as Tibetan Buddhsim. The Dalai Lama give a wonder discourse of some of the core beliefs of Mahayana Buddhism. Essential Teachings Dalai Lama

I started around when I was your age, and that was along time ago :) Hope you find what you are looking for. Good luck!

disclaimer: ewk please don't reply to my comment. thank you.

In the Buddha's words and what the Buddha Taught are great books written from a Theravadan perspective. As you explore Buddhism, I also encourage you to explore Mahayana Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhists aim to practice both wisdom/insight into ultimate reality and the practice of compassion towards other beings. Interestingly, within Mahayana Buddhism it's said to literally be impossible to gain genuine wisdom without the practice of compassion. Thus there is a huge emphasis on compassion. The best intro to Buddhism book I've found written from a Mahayana perspective is the essence of Buddhism by Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche.

So...the outer preliminaries are 4 contemplations called the thoughts which turn the mind away from samsara (the precious human life, impermanence, karma/cause and effect, and the nature of samsara) typically these are just recited daily as part of your liturgy, then there is the inner ngondro which is a set of typically 5 practices (which you haven't started yet). Refuge and bodhichitta (these are usually combined with prostrations), vajrasattva mantra, and short mandala offerings all X 100,000 each. Then guru yoga is recitation of 1,000,000 of the benza guru

It sounds like Khenpo gave you some prelimary-preliminaries, which is very smart on his part. My Lama does the same thing, there is a lot at play in vajrayana with samaya, which is something you should learn about if you're interested in Vajrayana.

>I'm beginning to wonder if my search for the "right" teacher/teaching/school is just another form of chasing desire and that I should just stick with zen, which is what I was practicing before (kind of), do you think that could be the case?

Maybe..that's really up to you. It depends how you feel about vajrayana. Your karma will let you know, but really consider this because once you have samaya it's not good to turn back. I would recommend you do a lot of reading.

Maybe start with Dudjom Rinpoche's commentary on the preliminaries since that is khenpo tsewang dongyal's lineage.

A Torch Lighting the Way to Freedom: Complete Instructions on the Preliminary Practices https://www.amazon.com/dp/1611804035/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_kxkDCbB3JBDDC

I would also recommend a new book on a different lineage (still nyingma though) ngondro called Entering the Great Expanse by Tulku Sherdor.

This is a western, recognized re-incarnated, Lama and he explains things in a way that really cuts through our western idea of instant gratification.

You might need actual medication. Do you do therapy? I'd definitely talk to a professional about it.

I used to have uncontrollable rage and it's caused a lot of problems throughout my life. Being aware of it, and actively working to control it and release it in healthy ways is a huge step towards ending the cycle.

I've found that therapy, and finally stumbling into a truly healthy relationship has pretty much cured it.

I very rarely take things too seriously, or lose control. And when I do, it's because of something stupid like my Xbox controller dying in the middle of a battle....

You might also check out a book called The Buddha Walks into a Bar. It might help you take your meditation to the next level and help with your emotions. I'd say reading this book was the start of my journey years ago.

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Edit: Something else I just remembered I do, is type out a reply/letter about whatever is bothering you. Just get all your thoughts out there, express them, then when you have calmed down, you can delete it.

Or heck, save it to the cloud. Maybe it will inspire a tell all book someday!

Actually, I think I'm gonna bow out now.

I've been trying to present something like a True Aspectarian (or maybe it's False Aspectarian) account of "reality" and you want to debate it, but I don't know that I am knowledgeable enough to continue representing the view.

And I certainly don't think I am free of ignorance enough to debate my own personal view as if it were truth. In fact, my own personal view is about is unintelligible to me as you probably find this presentation so far.

If you are interested in learning more about Buddhism, there are tons of sources available and I can direct you to them. Currently I am reading Recognizing Reality: Dharmakirti's Philosophy and Its Tibetan Interpretations and The Adornment of the Middle Way: Shantarakshita's Madhyamakalankara with Commentary by Jamgon Mipham and I was surprised to see that both cover this kind of "perceptual" territory.

Peace out, Holmes.

For the sake of being lazy, and for the opportunity to promote my blog, I've actually written about most of the items in my bag already on my site.

Laptop (Yoga 900): Best Travel Laptops for Digital Nomads

Camera (GoPro): GoPros & Cheaper GoPro Alternatives

T-Shirts: Official Travel is Life T-Shirts

Shoes: Best Shoes For Traveling With Just One Pair

Books: Crazy Dog Owner and Crazy Cat Owner by Funterventions - the business I mentioned in my OP

Everything Else: 9 Random Items To Pack In Your Travel Bag

Other two books: (1) Wheel of Life and Death by Philip Kapleau - a really good first look at Zen Buddhism from the perspective of a man who grew up in the Western world and then began the study and practice of Zen Buddhism later into his life. The book discusses a lot about the principles of Kharma and Reincarnation. I really enjoyed it. (2) Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie - Although I have a much older version than the revised edition I linked to. I found it in a used book store. This one is less widely known than his How to Win Friends and Influence People but predated that book. It's a good read.

My shorts and pants - actually I have no idea. The jeans are from the GAP and the other pairs I don't know what brand they are. Random finds at TJ Maxx or Ross's knowing me. And lastly I'm assuming you probably don't care which brand of contact lens solution or sunscreen I use, so that should about wrap it up. :)

> Is there no concept of Divinity being within the self in Buddhism?

Forgiving terminology like "within the self", there is such divinity, or perhaps slightly more accurately - "purity". At least in tantric Buddhism. If you're interested in this topic, I highly recommend reading Rongzom Chokyi Zangpo's Establishing Appearances as Divine.

For many it may be not very possible in their current life, just as it's not possible for a cat, bird or dog to be enlightened. However, I do remember a sutta (unfortunately I don't know which one), where the Buddha taught a "simple" person a simple chant, which the repeated over and over and achieved enlightenment with -- kind of a precursor to mantra practice.

In the Tibetan tradition, if you've read the Torch of Certainty, or many other texts which teach about the preliminary practices, they all emphasize the precious human birth which is free from "the eight unfavorable states of existence in which undividuals are disadvantaged", one of which is:

> Mutes, said to be ignorant of the world of language, are dumb and do not turn their thoughts to the Dharma.

Which might not be the most tactful of wording, and I don't think it applies to people who cannot speak but are otherwise in full control of their faculties (eg., deaf people can use sign language, read and write, so they are not ignorant of the wold of language). I think it more applies to people so mentally disabled they're not able to understand language.

But anyways, even then it would just mean it's not easily possible to achieve enlightenment in their current life. They definitely can in future lives with better circumstances, and there are many things they can do to generate merit for that, even if they aren't completely aware of it (like being taken to holy places, having dharma read to them, circumambulating stupas and other relics, etc).

> I really like drawing

In Tibetan Buddhism there is a concept called "miksang", which translates as "good eye." Although it typically refers to a form of contemplative photography (based on the Dharma Art teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche), it can be expanded upon to incorporate art in many forms – drawing, calligraphy, even flower arranging. So from a Buddhist point of view, art can be used as a great opportunity of noticing how you perceive the world. And in that context it is certainly encouraged as a tool rather than discouraged. For more information, refer to Trungpa's book here.

"The tirthikas, such as different Hindu traditions and so on, hold the belief of there being a self or atman that is eternal (Tib. rtag pa), unique (Tib.
gcig), and independent (Tib. rang dbang). This self or atman is called “true self.” ... The belief in the existence of an eternal, unique, and independent
self is a wrong concept and perception.

... The ultimate nature of everything is a state of peace completely beyond the conceptual elaboration in terms of the existence of a self or the non-existence of a self.... “True self” as taught in the Uttara Tantra Shastra is equivalent to the state of peace in terms of complete freedom from any
conceptual elaboration. This state of peace has only been given the name of “true self.” There is a mere similarity in terms. The Mahayana system does not hold the view of an eternal, unique, and independent self." - Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche https://www.amazon.com/Buddha-Nature-Mahayana-Uttaratantra-Commentary-dp-155939482X/dp/155939482X

Glad to be of help! You might start here: https://www.shambhala.com/snowlion_articles/understanding-the-five-buddhas/ and if you want to go deeper into tantric Buddhism: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BSZUCN6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_QFeLBbEJN3CX8

Good luck!

The Buddha and His Teachings by Samuel Bercholz and Sherab Chodzin Kohn was my first real introduction to Buddhism. It has a great biography of the Buddha and covers the core Buddhist teachings, as well as information on the different schools and traditions that exist in the world.

A great book that I've just finished reading and can't recommend highly enough is Indestructible Truth by Reginald A. Ray, which is a very comprehensive introduction to Tibetan Buddhism's history, theory, practise and philosophy.

Meditation in Action - Chogyam Trungpa. This is a great introduction to basic principles of Shamatha meditation and mindfulness in action, it is highly practice-oriented. Also, The Sanity We Are Born With, same author. Teachings on basic sanity, wheel of life, and basically a wonderful bit about Buddhist Psychology. This one is slightly more advanced than meditation in action.

Another great book with a interesting view of the 6 realms is "Awakening from the Daydream: Reimagining the Buddha's Wheel of Life" by David Nichtern - https://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Daydream-Reimagining-Buddhas-Wheel/dp/1614290059/

I also just ordered Tsultrim Allione’s Women of Wisdom, and Judith Simmer-Brown’s Dakini’s Warm Breath: The Feminine Principle in Tibetan Buddhism . Mind you, I haven’t had an opportunity to read either one just yet. The subject matter within a Tibetan Buddhist context is very interesting if that’s your jam.

Even if they are translated, they are not available online. But I've learned about these texts through The Karmapa's Middle Way: Feast for the Fortunate, which lays out all these works with titles in Tibetan.

In these works 8th Karmapa gives his own commentaries on the Vinaya, Sutta and Abhidharma Pitakas and connects the dots that lead to the emergence of The Middle Way.

There is also a few mentions of this in Straight from the Heart: Buddhist Pith Instructions, in the section of Commentary on Maitripa's Mahamudra, which is called "Sutra Mahamudra" that was based on the Heart Sutra teachings, and later used by both Gampopa and 8th Karmapa as the foundation of their own works:

>The Karmapa says that the explicit teaching of this Mahamudra system is the Madhyamaka of emptiness free from reference
points as taught in the sutras. Implicitly, he explains, this Mahamudra system also teaches the profound actuality of both sutras and tantras, that is, the ordinary and extraordinary ultimate Sugata-Heart (Buddha nature).

As for Tarantha, there is Recollection of the Three Jewels Sutra with Taranatha's Commentary Vol. 2, where he explains the Sutra teachings from the point of view of Madhyamaka.

Also, if you can find Frameworks Of Buddhist Philosophy by Jamgon Kongtrul, which is probably the most extensive study available in English that explains how each branch of Buddhism has emerged from the earliest sources.

There is much to be learned and researched, but I personally feel that this is only the tip of an iceberg, and as more texts emerge from the Tibetan archives, the clearer the picture will get.

Tara's Enlightened Activity is a really good one.

I think you would enjoy this book.

I'm an avid meditator myself.

> Did you read that properly? Khenpo Tsultrim Gyatso Rinpoche, like other Shentongpas, believes that the Essence isn't essenceless.

I was giving the Dzogchen perspective of what shentong is referring to. This is a Dzogchen forum, after all.

Do you know any Dzogchenpas who actually subvert the Dzogchen view to shentong view? I am not aware of any.

I know Jamgon Kongtrul was a proponent of shentong, but he did not subvert the Dzogchen view to the shentong posiiton. He basically thought shentong was a useful perspective to point people in the right direction with less chance of being misunderstood. But, he still considered Dzogchen the highest view. I've yet to see anyone write about Dzogchen who disagrees with that... I'm sure there are plenty of teachers from various traditions who don't think Dzogchen is correct (Theravada comes to mind), but they're probably not writing about Dzogchen much... and we're not concerned with them, right?

So, then, does Khenpo Tsultrim Gyatso Rinpoche not think Dzogchen is the highest view? I think he does. Therefore, we can deduce his view of shentong is similar to Kongtrul's.

Why?

The basic difference is that shentong sounds like one is beginning to understand Dzogchen view, but is apparently at odds with the whole of Buddhism; then the Dzogchen explanation makes more sense out of what shentong is trying to communicate, especially in relation to the rest of the Buddhist teachings. But, if you don’t understand Dzogchen view, then shentong would be helpful, I guess. Kongtrul seemed to think so, anyway. This particular distinction of shentong vs Dzogchen view highlights the problem with words to describe the situation, as mentioned in the above linked page from this book.

i couldn't recommend enough, david Nichtern awakening from the day dream. this book gives a new modern day approach to the wheel of life that is more applicable to people in the west.

https://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Daydream-Reimagining-Buddhas-Wheel/dp/1614290059

Apparently it is from this intriguing-sounding book: https://www.amazon.com/True-Perception-Path-Dharma-Art/dp/1590305884

Buddha Nature: The Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra with Commentary https://www.amazon.com/dp/155939482X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_S2nDDbMAM8F97