Best books on Buddhism
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My Buddhist Books wishlist
If you are into a specific type of Buddhism - don't think you already know what 'Buddhism' is. Buddhism comes in a variety of forms and they disagree on issues you probably take for granted. These books will amaze and inform you.
I'm going to be sending this list of books to my family and friends for my next birthday. I want them all :)
I've organized them from introduction level to specialized. I've noted the intended audience with each book. Because I've studied Buddhism in college, this list is rather on the scholarly side. If you just want to be inspired by the wisdom of Buddhism my list of the most popular books about Buddhism is more likely to be to your taste.
Countdown to Christmas
Introducing Buddhism
What books to read if you want to learn about Buddhism
The Foundations of Buddhism
And that includes a LOT that can only be called 'religion'. Like belief in gods (yes, plural), karma, reincarnation, rituals etc.
The Foundations of Buddhism (Opus)
Amazon Price: $17.00 (as of 02/13/2012)
The Three Pillars of Zen: Teaching, Practice, and Enlightenment
Great Zen Buddhism Book
A reviewer says on Amazon:
"Now in a 35th Anniversary edition, The Three Pillars of Zen is generally regarded as the "classic" introduction to Zen Buddhism, and along with Shunryu Suzuki's Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, has probably helped more westerners begin Zen practice than any other book.
The book is a collection of texts which describe Zen Buddhism as encountered by Philip Kapleau in Japan in the 1950's. Kapleau's transmission is Zen as it was taught in particular by Harada-Roshi and Yasutani-Roshi, a synthesis of both the Rinzai and Soto traditions. Harada's and Yasutani's school revitalized Zen in the twentieth century, and their teaching is particularly relevant to Americans as many American Zen teachers today are of their lineage."
The Three Pillars of Zen: Teaching, Practice, and Enlightenment
Amazon Price: $9.10 (as of 02/13/2012)
Buy in the UK and Europe (amazon.co.uk)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Introduction into Tibetan Buddhism
Great Tibetan Buddhism Book
A reviewer on Amazon says:
"topics including Tibetan Buddhist history, doctrines, meditation practices, schools, religious festivals, and major historical figures.Of special note in this revised edition are the expanded discussions of recent Tibetan history and tantra, and significant new publications in the field."
Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism
Amazon Price: $14.61 (as of 02/13/2012)
Also available on kindle
Buy in the UK and Europe (amazon.co.uk)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
What books to read if you want to learn about Tibetan Buddhism
It has instructions on meditation as well as descriptions of the phases (bhardo's) consciousness goes to after death according to the Tibetan tradition.
This book has been read and enjoyed by millions.
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying: The Spiritual Classic & International Bestseller
Amazon Price: $10.78 (as of 02/13/2012)
Also available on kindle
Buy in the UK and Europe (amazon.co.uk)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
The Origin of Buddhism
Great early history of Buddhism Book
I WANT this book. I put it on my wish list as soon as I found out about it. Scholarly, well written, though maybe a bit out of date.
This book focuses on the central message of Buddhism and how it evolved throughout the earliest centuries of its existence.
Studies in the Origins of Buddhism
Amazon Price: $17.94 (as of 02/13/2012)
Early Buddhism - A New Approach: The I of the Beholder
Great Buddhist Psychologoy Book
Looks at Pali Buddhism (the origin of Theravada Buddhism) anew: starting with the human experience.
Early Buddhism: A New Approach: The I of the Beholder (Routledge Critical Studies in Buddhism)
Amazon Price: $44.79 (as of 02/13/2012)
Buy in the UK and Europe (amazon.co.uk)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Meditation on Emptiness
Sunyata is a Mahayana Buddhist concept/experience.
Suitable for anyone with a college level education.
Meditation on Emptiness
Amazon Price: $65.00 (as of 02/13/2012)
Abhidhamma Studies: Buddhist Explorations of Consciousness and Time
From Amazon:
In this book of groundbreaking essays, Venerable Nyanaponika Thera, one of our age's foremost exponents of Theravada Buddhism, penetrates the Abhidhamma to make its principles intelligible to the thoughtful reader of today. Innovative and rich in insights, this book does not merely open up new avenues in the academic study of early Buddhism. By treating the Abhidhamma as a fountainhead of inspiration for philosophical and psychological inquiry, it demonstrates the continuing relevance of Buddhist thought to our most astute contemporary efforts to understand the elusive yet so intimate nature of the mind.
Abhidhamma Studies: Buddhist Explorations of Consciousness and Time
Amazon Price: $10.75 (as of 02/13/2012)
Buddhadhamma
Theravada Buddhism explored
Again: for people with a college level education this book is well worth it.
Written by a Thai, Theravada monk who has been recognized for his scholarly achievements, Buddhadhamma is a modern distillation of pivotal doctrines found in the Pali Buddhist canon.
Buddhadhamma (Suny Series, Buddhist Studies)
Amazon Price: $24.66 (as of 02/13/2012)
Buddhist Cosmology: Philosophy and Origins
Amazon concludes: "the author shows us how this ancient philosophy resembles the modern scientific view of the cosmos, and how even today it can help us lead more fulfilling lives."
This book too is going on my personal Buddhist wish list :)
Buddhist Cosmology: Philosophy and Origins
Amazon Price: $8.26 (as of 02/13/2012)
Buy in the UK and Europe (amazon.co.uk)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
You wanted the most popular books on Buddhism anyway?
Here they are!
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byBooks recommended by readers
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Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha: An Unusually Hardcore Dharma Book by Daniel M. Ingram
* Author posits that enlightenment is an attainable more...0 points
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What books about Buddhism have I missed?
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earthybirthymama
Oct 30, 2011 @ 10:33 pm | delete
- I have too large a collection of books on Buddhism. You have added some real good ones to your list
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tseringjohnson
Oct 28, 2011 @ 11:42 am | delete
- "Mastering The Core Teachings Of The Buddha" by Daniel M. Ingram - one of the best books on Buddhism anywhere!
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Pmona
Nov 6, 2010 @ 10:23 pm | delete
- 'Ocean' by Kenneth Tanaka
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RayIan
May 3, 2010 @ 2:09 pm | delete
- A couple of biiks that I'm reading at the moment.
1 Compassion and Meditation Jean-Yves Leloup
2 The Wise Heart Jack Kornfield
Both on Buddhism
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RuntFarmSeries
Apr 17, 2010 @ 10:06 pm | delete
- SandraLynn, interesting that you learned about Zen Buddhism from Thomas Merton. A Catholic friend of mine learned about it from the books of Fr. Anthony de Mello. Great overview of books on Buddhism here :)
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