Web hosting Custom Email SiteBuilder

Suggestions for Readings

From the ASU Zen Society

       This is an attempt to provide resources to deepen understanding of the Buddhist traditions that have evolved to be recognized and practiced as Zen and Chan, especially the foundations of the practice. The focus of these links is based not as much in the widespread modern interpretations to be found everywhere, but in the somewhat less promoted interpretations of the relatively distant past. It is important to note that although one of the sayings attributed to Bodhidharma is "No reliance on the written word," this does not entail denial or dismissal of the written word altogether. Interpreting the practice as anti-intellectualism is overly simplistic. Language can be used without being relied on, as crutches differ from tools. Many of the ancient practitioners who seemed so iconoclastic and rebellious to us reached their points of insight only after many years of exploration, study, and sincere practice.

       With this in mind, let us look at what the Internet has to offer, as far as free dharma teachings go. Not new and flashy ones, but the roots.

SELECTED TEACHINGS OF THE BUDDHA

The Word of Buddha (The Eightfold Path)

This text is taken from various Pali Scriptures, and lays out the foundation of Buddhist practice, the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

The Dhammapada (Sayings of the Buddha)

This is an early anthology of Pali origin, belonging to a section of Scriptures known as the Khuddaka Nikaya, embodying ethical and spiritual precepts arranged by subject.

The Pali Canon (excerpts)

The Tipitaka, or Three Baskets; the oldest written account of the Buddha's teachings.

The Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra

A sutra outlining the vast potential of lay practice; how to be in the world, but not of it. Buddhism is not only for monks and nuns, as this sutra wonderfully explains.

The Satipatthana Sutra

Discourse on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness.

The Sammaditthi Sutra

Discourse on Right View, the first step on the Eightfold Path.

The Kalama Sutra

The Buddha's Charter of Free Inquiry.

The Anapanasati Sutra

Discourse on the Mindfulness of Breathing.

The Metta Sutra

The Buddha's words on loving-kindness.

The Culasunnatta Sutra

A discourse with Ananda about emptiness and the void.

The Anattalakkhana Sutra

The Buddha's teachings of "anatta," or "no-self."

The Lankavatara Sutra (excerpts)

The sutra whose legacy inspired Bodhidharma and early Chinese Buddhism.

THE INDIAN TRADITION: NAGARJUNA

A Verse From Nagarjuna's Treatise on the Middle Way

Commentary On The Eight Negations

Commentary On His Letters to the King

THE CHINESE TRADITION:

BODHIDHARMA

Selected Verses From His Teachings