Best books on Buddhism

My Buddhism 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.

Introducing Buddhism

I've done several college level classes on Buddhism, so my wish list is rather scholarly in tone. Here are a few books that are meant for anybody who has finished high school.

The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching

by: Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh at his best: great introduction into the practice of Buddhism.

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Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 11/07/2009)

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Buddhism for Beginners

by: Thubten Chodron

Introduction into Buddhism that takes up contemporary themes like euthanasia, abortion, the environment and animal rights - as well as day to day practice.
Also available on kindle
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Amazon Price: $6.08 (as of 11/07/2009)

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What the Buddha Taught: Revised and Expanded Edition with Texts from Suttas and Dhammapada

by: Walpola Rahula

Great summary of Theravada Buddhist doctrines taken from the earliest known Buddhist texts: the Pali Canon and Dhammapada.

I have this book. It's very good as an introduction, but also useful when you need to look up just what the Buddha said about a topic you're interested in.

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Amazon Price: $10.08 (as of 11/07/2009)

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How to Practice : The Way to a Meaningful Life

by: Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama explains how to practice Buddhism in your daily life.
Also available on kindle

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Amazon Price: $10.08 (as of 11/07/2009)

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The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Buddhist Wisdom: A Complete Introduction to the Principles and Practices of Buddhism

by: Gill Farrer-Halls

Just a beautiful introduction to both the philosophy AND the practice of Buddhism. Includes examples and photographs from the major Buddhist traditions (Theravada, Zen and Tibetan Buddhism) that are making waves in the West.

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Amazon Price: $23.96 (as of 11/07/2009)

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The Three Pillars of Zen: Teaching, Practice, and Enlightenment

This is a classic. Everybody ought to be able to read this and get inspired.

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

by: Philip Kapleau Roshi

Amazon Price: $10.88 (as of 11/07/2009)

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Introduction into Tibetan Buddhism

Academic level introduction into Tibetan Buddhism. Places the Buddhist tradition in a historical and social framework, but also introduces the reader to the schools, philosophy and practice of Tibetan Buddhism.

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, Revised Edition

by: John Powers

Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 11/07/2009)

Also available on kindle

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The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

Does this book need an introduction? Sogyal Rinpoche's commentary on the 'Tibetan Book of the dead' (as it's usually referred to) is a classic already.

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; Revised and Updated Edition

by: Sogyal Rinpoche

Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 11/07/2009)

Also available on kindle

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The Origin of Buddhism

I'm a history geek. I love to read about the origins of religions - whether it's Buddhism or theosophy or Christianity. I feel in most cases the essential message of a religion can be found in its origins.

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

by: Govind Chandra Pande

Amazon Price: $39.95 (as of 11/07/2009)

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Early Buddhism - A New Approach: The I of the Beholder

From Amazon: "Building on the author's previous published work, this book focuses on the relationship between identity and perception in early Buddhism, drawing out and explaining the way they relate in terms of experience. It presents a coherent picture of these issues in the context of Buddhist teachings as a whole and suggests that they represent the heart of what the Buddha taught. This book will be of primary interest to scholars working within all fields of Buddhist studies."

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 (Curzon Critical Studies in Buddhism)

by: Sue Hamilton

Amazon Price: $44.79 (as of 11/07/2009)

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Meditation on Emptiness

Jeffrey Hopkins describes meditation practices that make the doctrine of Emptiness (Sunyata) come to life.

Sunyata is a Mahayana Buddhist concept/experience.

Suitable for anyone with a college level education.

Meditation on Emptiness

by: Jeffrey Hopkins

Amazon Price: $26.95 (as of 11/07/2009)

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Abhidhamma Studies: Buddhist Explorations of Consciousness and Time

Theravada Buddhism on 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

by: Nyanaponika Thera

Amazon Price: (as of 11/07/2009)

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Buddhadhamma

Theravada Buddhism explored

Many scholars of Buddhism in Thailand and beyond have said that if a person is not able to read the more than 40 volumes of the Pali Buddhist canon, then read this one book.

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 in Buddhist Studies)

by: Phra Prayudh Payutto

Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 11/07/2009)

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Buddhist Cosmology: Philosophy and Origins

An introduction into a subject usually ignored by Western Buddhists: Buddhist cosmology.

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

by: Akira Sadakata, Hajime Nakamura

Amazon Price: $10.36 (as of 11/07/2009)

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Best books on Buddhism

My Buddhism Books wishlist

Contents at a Glance

Contents at a Glance

Introducing Buddhism

The Three Pillars of Zen: Teaching, Practice, and Enlightenment

Introduction into Tibetan Buddhism

The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

The Origin of Buddhism

Early Buddhism - A New Approach: The I of the Beholder

Meditation on Emptiness

Abhidhamma Studies: Buddhist Explorations of Consciousness and Time

Buddhadhamma

Theravada Buddhism explored

Buddhist Cosmology: Philosophy and Origins

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