Spawn's dad

no one ever accussed Keruac of actually understanding Buddhism. In fact, Kerouac was deeply wounded that Gary Snyder didn't recognize him as 'attaining' any understanding. He had a fascination, but no real practice and no level of self control to even properly approach a dedicated practice.

that's a tough question

a good general primer is Kornfield's a path with heart.

if you're interested in reading the actual word's of the Buddha , my teacher Bhikkhu Bodhi's anthology is excellent. It's called In the words of the Buddha .

better yet, poke around at www.accesstoinsight.org or http://www.abhayagiri.org/index.php/main/books. Both have about a million free books which are more than enough for one to get enlightened, or at least figure out what kinds of books they like to read

 

Great book all around. Started it a few months ago but then life got hectic and put it down for a while.

 

"The use of psychedelic drugs is that dark little secret behind the popular origins of Eastern spirituality in America, but if they really open the mind in the same ways meditative experiences do, why shouldn't they be legitimated and brought out into the open?"

this is one of those subjects that really showed how far off the mark Tricycle is in understanding the Dharma.

the entire premise of the book is wrong:

the fifth precept is:

I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs.

not 'I vow to only take intoxicating drinks and drugs that I imagine will open my conciousness (read: those I like),' but 'intoxicating drinks and drugs.'

After having been a subscriber since issue 1 I canceled by tricycle subscription over their issue on this topic.

if one is taking drugs and calling it Buddhism their posturing....no other way around it.