How to Study Buddhism on BuddhaNet

Start with the Basic Buddhism Guide under the Studies section if you are new to Buddhism, then move to the Online Study Guide for a structured course. BuddhaNet organizes its study material by level and tradition, so you can either follow a general introduction or go straight to Theravada, Mahayana, or Tibetan teachings depending on your interest. All of these are listed directly in the site's main navigation under "Studies."

The main study entry points

BuddhaNet's Studies section is the core of its educational material. The navigation lists these starting points:

• Buddhist Studies – Main – the hub page that links to the other study areas
• Basic Buddhism Guide – introductory material for readers with no background
• Online Study Guide – a guided course format rather than scattered articles
• CD-Rom for Schools – teaching material packaged for classroom use
• Buddhist Scriptures – primary texts
• Buddhist Teachings – doctrinal explanations
• The Buddhist World: History & Culture – historical and cultural context

If you only have time for one path, work through the Basic Buddhism Guide first, then the Online Study Guide. The other sections function better as reference material once you have the vocabulary.

Choosing a path by tradition

BuddhaNet separates its eBook and resource libraries by tradition, which makes it possible to study within one school rather than mixing them:

The eBooks section is subdivided the same way: General Buddhism, Buddhist Meditation, Theravada Teachings, Mahayana Teachings, and History and Art. The File Library mirrors this with Artwork Files, Audio Files, Study Materials, and Pali Fonts.

Beyond text: audio, artwork, and reference files

Study on BuddhaNet is not limited to reading. The Resources section includes:

• Audio Files – recorded teachings and guided material
• Study Materials – supplementary files for coursework
• Palm Pilot Files and TomeRaider Files – older portable-format texts, useful mainly if you still use those formats
• Pali Fonts (Mac/PC) – needed if you plan to read Pali text that requires correct diacritics
• Artwork Files – Buddhist art organized by tradition

For meditation practice specifically, the site offers Insight Meditation and Loving Kindness Meditation as dedicated pages, separate from the doctrinal study material.

Magazine-style and topical material

The Features section (BuddhaZine) covers subjects that do not fit a course structure:

• Place of Enlightenment
• Buddhist Books Online
• Therapy and Meditation
• Buddhist Computer Art
• Photo Documentaries
• Art and Architecture
• Treasury of Truth
• Women in Buddhism
• BuddhaNet Kids Page
• Magazine Articles, Crossword Puzzles, Buddhist Comics, and Multimedia

These are better for browsing or for a specific interest than for sequential study.

Finding teachers and centers

If your study goal includes connecting with a real-world community, the World Directory is organized by region: The Americas, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Europe, and Africa/Middle East, plus a Masters/Organisations listing. There is also a Send/Update Your Info form if you need to correct or add a listing.

A practical study sequence

1. Read the Basic Buddhism Guide to get the core concepts.
2. Work through the Online Study Guide for a structured progression.
3. Pick a tradition (Theravada, Mahayana, or Tibetan) and use its eBooks and File Library for depth.
4. Add audio files or the Insight Meditation page if you want practice alongside study.
5. Use the World Directory if you want to find a local group or teacher.

One note on the site itself: BuddhaNet is maintained by Ven. Pannyavaro, resident teaching monk of Bodhi Tree Forest Monastery, and the site also lists a Donation Form and an e-store for a Vipassana meditation book and CD. The navigation does not indicate which materials are free versus sold, so check each item's page before assuming access terms.