Jun 20, 2011 -- 1:24PM, Celinemuzic wrote:

im new to theravada buddhism. im a woman i heard that its mostly men in this religion is that true? i also heard that we only eat from sunrise to noon is that true? where do i start how do i start? im so lost...

Theravada Buddhism has a very long history of successfully teaching the Dhamma to women, 2500 years in Asia. At my local Buddhist Vihara [Temple], the women usually take charge of the daily running of things. The manager is a woman. However, the Sangha is male, and the Spiritual Director is also a man. Running and cleaning the Vihara for the Sangha is not considered to be an act of menial drudgery for male chauvinists. It is considered to be a source of merit, wholesome kamma which leads a person towards Enlightenment.

Whilst the Vihara is from the Burmese Theravada Tradition, they specialise in Teaching Western Students.

Whilst it is true that only monks keep to the strict rule of eating one meal per day, before noon, lay people are also asked to follow this training rule when in attendance at a temple for a meditation retreat. The reason is that eating too much food causes mental dullness, and one becomes very sleepy.

Away from the Buddhist Temple, a lay person may eat as much or as little as required, including meat. According to Theravada Buddhism, eating meat is karmically neutral:

www.satipanya.org.uk/index.php?page=audi...

This website offers an audio foundation course in Theravada Buddhism, which one may listen to in one's own time. There are also audio guided meditations and audio introductory practices. The value of listening to audio is that one is 'Hearing the Dhamma', in the same way as the Buddha taught the Dhamma, by word of mouth.

Theravada Buddhism offers training in Mental Development. This free ebook may be helpful:

mahamakuta.inet.co.th/english/b-way.html

what-buddha-said.net/library/Manual/Medi...

Manual on the 4 Main Meditation Methods:

The Buddha’s core Teachings on Mental Training.

what-buddha-said.net/library/Buddhist.Di...

Buddhist Dictionary
Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines,
by MahaThera Nyanatiloka

 

what-buddha-said.net/

What the Buddha said in plain English!

May this material be of benefit to you.