I think the Nobel Eightfold Path is invaluable.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/buddha2.htm
Here are notes from my own studies
NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT
Do not become attached to the teachings. The knowledge of these steps will not bring you freedom from suffering. Only walking the path can give you the experience needed to attain inner peace.
-----------------RIGHT VIEW--------------
Delusion is what keeps you tied to suffering.* If you hang on to these things they become part of your identity. To overcome this pain you must pass through it. Do not bury or avoid them. This only causes more delusion. Finding reasons to live with pain and creating more of it to reinforce your reality.*
Try to see the reasons behind your actions and the actions of people around you. Be aware of social constructs, the systems in place that*keep you bound to group hallucination. It is easy to live this way if others reinforce this reality. Be aware of codependent relationships that anchor you to an identity rooted in suffering. Be aware of the masks you wear, the defense mechanisms we've developed over the years. Also be conscious of these things when witnessing interactions between others. Then watch your reactions to them and deconstruct your concepts of people. Be the watcher of the world without and the one within.* We have many reactive processes that have become hard wired. An autonomous firing of neurons.
If you find yourself in a negative state of mind you can trace it back to its origins. Slowly rewinding the sequence, thought by thought until you uncover the reason behind you actions. Seeing the truth behind the negative thought processes will give you the ability to stop them. whether it be pain you are avoiding, not seeing the true nature of others, or judging situations from a skewed perspective, we must free ourselves from these delusionary states.
The longer you walk the path the deeper and deeper your understanding will be developed.
******
-----------------RIGHT INTENTION---------------
***** HOLD INSIDE OF YOU
THE*INTENTION TO NOT FEED NEGATIVITY
THE INTENTION OF KINDNESS
THE *INTENTION OF NON INJURY
**** AVOID
THE INTENTION FOR SENSUALITY
THE INTENTION FOR AVOIDANCE
*** *To avoid doing the right thing*
THE INTENTION FOR CRUELTY *
-------------------RIGHT SPEECH---------------------
***
ABSTAIN FROM FALSE SPEECH
** *Try to Speak truthfully always
ABSTAINING FROM SLANDER
*** *Do not speak words that divide. Your words should always bring people together
**
ABSTAIN FROM HARSH WORDS
*** *Do not hurt others with your words
ABSTAIN FROM IDOL CHATTER
*** *Always Speak meaningful words. Words with a purpose. Do not participate in idol chatter or gossip
---------------------RIGHT ACTION-------------------------
ABSTAIN FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF LIFE
**** *This goes for all life including animals
ABSTAIN FROM TAKING WHAT IS NOT GIVEN
***** *Stealing
ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
**** *Exploiting others for sexual gains, promiscuous sex, or rape
-------------------RIGHT LIVELIHOOD-------------------
DO NOT DEAL IN MEATS
DO NOT DEAL IN POISONS
DO NOT DEAL IN INTOXICANTS
DO NOT DEAL IN PROSTITUTION/SLAVERY
DO NOT DO SOMETHING THAT WILL ERODE YOUR INNER WORLD
------------------------RIGHT EFFORT-------------------------
Break down your thoughts into two categories
WHOLESOME
1 Loving Kindness, Brotherly Love
2 Compassion
3 Empathetic Joy
4 Equanimity
Make an effort to strengthen wholesome states of mind by meditating on them. Do not over overexert yourself because you will exhaust the mind. You have to find the perfect balance between effort and calm to get results.
UNWHOLESOME
Make an effort to stop future unwholesome states before they arise
Intention and effort go hand and hand. Intention guides the effort.
The practice is to eliminate negative thoughts completely. To quiet the mind and be in full control over the unwholesome states of mind.
-----------------RIGHT MINDFULNESS-------------
Be aware of your body and everything around you. Take your third eye into your body. Be aware of your emotions and what is happening around you. With RIGHT VIEW and mindfulness you can not only see but you can feel the true nature of your inner and outer world.
---------------RIGHT CONCENTRATION - - - - -
Here is where the wholesome state of mind and mindfulness are focused to a point within meditation. Here *RIGHT VIEW becomes a vision instead of just ideas. The deeper your understanding of the true nature of things the less constrained your meditations will become. In this state your mind is quiet but in free flow. Your consciousness feels ever expansive and your awareness is reaching out on all directions. The trees seem to sway for you. Sounds are more present and there is a sense of deep peace. This is the doorway to the state of nirvana.
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Originally Posted by IndigoAmber
I was just wondering what book buddhists reference for inspiration and stories of the life of Buddha. I know there's the bible for Christians; but what do buddhists use?
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