Learn More About Practicing Mindfulness and Buddhism
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Buddhist Universities in the United States
Located on the 700 acres of The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in northern California, Dharma Realm Buddhist University aims to activate the inherent wisdom and compassion possessed by every individual through three mutually supportive practices: a virtuous life, meditative concentration, and wise discernment. www.drbu.org
Meditation,
Dharma Practice, and Study. DRBU Extension offers several one-week meditation retreats to the general public throughout the year, with beginners tracks available. Youtube: Dharma Realm Live 
Located in Southern California near Los Angeles, University of the West offers undergraduate and graduate courses in several fields.
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Free Online Resources for Buddhist Study
General / Mindfulness: The Five Mindfulness Trainings Tibetan Buddhism: New to Buddhism? Practical Overview, as well as guided meditations http://studybuddhism.com/ American Buddhist teacher with many FAQs and videos / podcasts http://thubtenchodron.org/ Podcasts by His Holiness the 17th Karmapa http://itunes.apple.com/in/podcast/karmapa-selected-buddhist/id1058705097 or watch videos through his website, http://kagyuoffice.org/ Advanced Texts (many languages): http://www.dharmaebooks.org Mahayana: Sutra texts and Commentary online from Dharma Realm Buddhist Association Sutra texts and Commentary online from Chung Tai Zen Center Chan (Zen) Introduction from Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Texts (including downloads) from BTTS Theravada: Sutta texts online from Access to Insight Vipassana podcasts from Bhavana Society, Abhayagiri Monastery, and more American centers Online Radio: DharmaRadio.org |
Basic Guidelines for Meditation
If you are interested in developing a Buddhist practice, here are some basic guidelines to help you get started.
1. Reflect on your motivation.
First and foremost, reflect on your aspirations for starting a spiritual practice. Is your intention to cultivate mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom? Are you motivated by the wish to promote happiness and reduce the suffering in your own life and the lives of other living beings? Or are you driven by selfishness, pride, or fame? Because your intentions are the source of your practice, it is important to make sure your intentions are clear and wholesome.
2. Make a commitment to the practice.
Consider making a genuine commitment to changing your patterns of thought, speech, and actions in ways that will create and support the conditions for your practice. It might seem obvious, but the stronger your commitment and sincerity, the greater the fruits and benefits of your practice will be.
3. Follow the 5 precepts.
In Buddhism, the mind and body are interconnected: bodily actions have an influence on the mind and thoughts in the mind generate action. By aligning the actions of body and mind, the precepts then become the foundation for developing mental stillness and clarity, which can then give rise to wisdom and insight. They are meant to support your personal growth and practice, as well as to develop happiness and benefit those around you. Buddhism teaches that the way to truly influence someone else is through your virtue and conduct. You can choose to commit to one, two, or all five of the precepts, as you are able.
The precepts are as follows: (1) not killing, (2) not stealing, (3) not committing sexual misconduct, (4) not lying, and (5) not using intoxicants.
4. Live a simpler, healthier lifestyle.
After making a commitment to the practice and to the precepts, the next important step towards nourishing and building your practice is to live a more simple and healthier lifestyle. Some helpful changes to consider include adopting a healthy vegetarian diet, getting regular physical exercise, getting enough rest and sleep, and living a more peaceful life by minimizing unnecessary distractions.
5. Do some research.
Look into the various Buddhist teachings and practices so that you can find the approach that is right for you. Note that the “right” practice may not be the one you find easiest. Rather, the "right" practice addresses your suffering on a deeper level given your personality, affinities, and conditions. For example, meditation promotes concentration and mindfulness; bowing develops humility and counteracts pride; and so on. Commit yourself to a few practices that truly benefit you and stick with them.
6. Start practicing consistently.
The best way to build your practice is to set aside specific times to practice and do your best to stick to that schedule (It is often helpful to do this within a group). This is easier said than done, but practicing regularly is essential. We suggest practicing for 15 minutes a day right when you wake up or before you go to bed and then slowly increasing the time as you find yourself developing more clarity and insight.
7. Find a teacher and practice community.
Having a good teacher is like having a good doctor; they can see your afflictions and address them through instruction and guidance. However, when looking for a teacher, make sure at the very least, they abide by the five precepts and are not out for fame or profit. In Buddhism, we often look to the monastic Sangha as they have dedicated their lives to the Buddhist practice and have clear guidelines on how to interact with students. In addition, joining a community of fellow practitioners provides support, motivation, and advice. Being surrounded by good people naturally brings out your own wholesome qualities.
8. Study the Buddha’s teachings regularly.
Deepen your understanding of the Buddhist teachings so as to inform and inspire your practice.
9. Do your best to keep learning and practicing.
Don’t get discouraged or be too hard on yourself. The benefits of the practice don’t come overnight or through shortcuts, but rather through confidence, consistency and sustained effort. If you keep it up, you will taste the "joy of the Dharma."
Adapted from Dharma Realm Buddhist Association
If you are interested in developing a Buddhist practice, here are some basic guidelines to help you get started.
1. Reflect on your motivation.
First and foremost, reflect on your aspirations for starting a spiritual practice. Is your intention to cultivate mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom? Are you motivated by the wish to promote happiness and reduce the suffering in your own life and the lives of other living beings? Or are you driven by selfishness, pride, or fame? Because your intentions are the source of your practice, it is important to make sure your intentions are clear and wholesome.
2. Make a commitment to the practice.
Consider making a genuine commitment to changing your patterns of thought, speech, and actions in ways that will create and support the conditions for your practice. It might seem obvious, but the stronger your commitment and sincerity, the greater the fruits and benefits of your practice will be.
3. Follow the 5 precepts.
In Buddhism, the mind and body are interconnected: bodily actions have an influence on the mind and thoughts in the mind generate action. By aligning the actions of body and mind, the precepts then become the foundation for developing mental stillness and clarity, which can then give rise to wisdom and insight. They are meant to support your personal growth and practice, as well as to develop happiness and benefit those around you. Buddhism teaches that the way to truly influence someone else is through your virtue and conduct. You can choose to commit to one, two, or all five of the precepts, as you are able.
The precepts are as follows: (1) not killing, (2) not stealing, (3) not committing sexual misconduct, (4) not lying, and (5) not using intoxicants.
4. Live a simpler, healthier lifestyle.
After making a commitment to the practice and to the precepts, the next important step towards nourishing and building your practice is to live a more simple and healthier lifestyle. Some helpful changes to consider include adopting a healthy vegetarian diet, getting regular physical exercise, getting enough rest and sleep, and living a more peaceful life by minimizing unnecessary distractions.
5. Do some research.
Look into the various Buddhist teachings and practices so that you can find the approach that is right for you. Note that the “right” practice may not be the one you find easiest. Rather, the "right" practice addresses your suffering on a deeper level given your personality, affinities, and conditions. For example, meditation promotes concentration and mindfulness; bowing develops humility and counteracts pride; and so on. Commit yourself to a few practices that truly benefit you and stick with them.
6. Start practicing consistently.
The best way to build your practice is to set aside specific times to practice and do your best to stick to that schedule (It is often helpful to do this within a group). This is easier said than done, but practicing regularly is essential. We suggest practicing for 15 minutes a day right when you wake up or before you go to bed and then slowly increasing the time as you find yourself developing more clarity and insight.
7. Find a teacher and practice community.
Having a good teacher is like having a good doctor; they can see your afflictions and address them through instruction and guidance. However, when looking for a teacher, make sure at the very least, they abide by the five precepts and are not out for fame or profit. In Buddhism, we often look to the monastic Sangha as they have dedicated their lives to the Buddhist practice and have clear guidelines on how to interact with students. In addition, joining a community of fellow practitioners provides support, motivation, and advice. Being surrounded by good people naturally brings out your own wholesome qualities.
8. Study the Buddha’s teachings regularly.
Deepen your understanding of the Buddhist teachings so as to inform and inspire your practice.
9. Do your best to keep learning and practicing.
Don’t get discouraged or be too hard on yourself. The benefits of the practice don’t come overnight or through shortcuts, but rather through confidence, consistency and sustained effort. If you keep it up, you will taste the "joy of the Dharma."
Adapted from Dharma Realm Buddhist Association
Buddhist Films and Movies
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ONE MIND: Filmed at a Chan (Zen) Buddhist Monastery in China http://www.commonfolkfilms.com/
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Walk With Me: Mindfulness Gone Mainstream in this cinematic based on the Thich Nhat Hanh tradition
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Charities
Buddhist Global Relief: American group that cultivates compassion through social engagement, supporting projects in alleviating suffering through hunger relief, environmental sustainability, social justice, and the education of women and girls. Founder: Bhikku Bodhi, first American-born president of the Buddhist Association of the United States
Karuna-Shechen: Humanitarian projects in the Himalayan region - provides health care, education, clean water, and social services to under-served peoples in Nepal, India, and Tibet. Founder: Matthieu Ricard, a French biochemist now turned Buddhist monk
Tzu Chi USA: "Compassionate Relief" - Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation is perhaps the largest international Buddhist charity, with many missions, including in disaster relief, charity, medicine, education, environmental protection, and humanitarian culture. Founder: Master Cheng Yen (nun in Taiwan, recognized as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world)
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Now accepting donations: We appreciate your donation. You can give online with a credit card via PayPal (no account or registration needed) to us, doing business as Georgia Buddhist Summer Camp. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and you may qualify for eligible tax deductions. Thank you for your support of our all- volunteer organization!
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Not in Atlanta? Check out some other links: Zen Meditation Classes around the US |
North Carolina Buddhism | South Carolina Meditation | Tennessee Buddhism | San Francisco California Buddhism
North Carolina Buddhism | South Carolina Meditation | Tennessee Buddhism | San Francisco California Buddhism