Most popular Buddhism Books 2009

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Ranked #128 in Religion, #6,458 overall

Top 10 List of Buddhist Books

These books explain Buddhism for a modern Western audience. They generally focus on the practical aspects of Buddhism: how to live your life well and meditation.

I've organized them from most popular to least popular - measured by the amount of votes each book had on Amazon when I last checked and the amount of sales they made on my squidoo pages. Even the 'least popular' still had a 5 star rating on average and at least 20 votes.

I've also made a list of the best scholarly books on Buddhism.

Peace Is Every Step
In the Buddha's Words
Buddhism for Mothers

more...

The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching

Thich Nhat Hanh

The basic teachings of Buddhism explained by Thich Nhat Hanh. While he follows the traditional topics (the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, the Twelve Links of Interdependent Co-Arising etc.) his style is fresh and practical.

Definitely the most popular book on this page

The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching

by: Thich Nhat Hanh

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

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Buddhism Plain and Simple

In this book Steve Hagen puts the essence of Zen Buddhism in simple words - deceptively simple. Reading a page a day would not be too little. One should let the words sink in, instead of wanting to read page after page like a novel.

Buddhism Plain and Simple

by: Steve Hagen

Amazon Price: $7.88 (as of 11/07/2009)

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Buddhism for Beginners

Thubten Chodron

The second woman on our list - also a real Buddhist teacher this time. Thubten Chodron introduces Buddhism, and dispels many of the misconceptions around it. It is probably no coincident that Thubten Chodron and Pema Chodron are both from the same Tibetan Buddhist lineage.

Buddhism for Beginners

by: Thubten Chodron

Amazon Price: $6.08 (as of 11/07/2009)

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Peace Is Every Step

The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life

One of the two most popular Buddhist teachers today (surpassed only by the Dalai Lama): Thich Nhat Hanh has a very simple style - but communicates the most practical and deep truths about how life works and how we can find peace for ourselves and love for all beings.

Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life

by: Thich Nhat Hanh

Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 11/07/2009)

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In the Buddha's Words

An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon

Buddha quotes from the Pali Canon (that is: the oldest Buddhist texts) organized by topic. This book will get you as close as possible to what the Buddha really said about important topics like sorrow, realization, ethics, meditation and wisdom.

In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon (Teachings of the Buddha)

Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 11/07/2009)

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Buddhism for Mothers

A Calm Approach to Caring for Yourself and Your Children

Sarah Napthali writes about her experience of trying to practice Buddhism while raising kids. She finds ways to calm her kids in a supermarket, but she also shares her annoyance at having to spend hours entertaining kids. Realistic, entertaining and an inspiration to any parent (yes: mom OR dad).

Buddhism for Mothers: A Calm Approach to Caring for Yourself and Your Children

by: Sarah Napthali

Used Price: $7.84

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Taking the Leap: Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears

Pema Chodron

This gently encouraging book by popular teacher Chodron (When Things Fall Apart; The Places That Scare You) applies Buddhist wisdom to the problems of deeply ingrained reactions. An American Buddhist nun in the lineage of Tibetan master Chogyam Trungpa, she writes that we already have what we need to change and heal. Chodron focuses on the preverbal moment-called shenpa in Tibetan-in which individuals are hooked into harmful stories, emotions and actions within the flux of their experiences. Clear descriptions of how this process works are accompanied by simple techniques to begin to break the cycle. Her suggestions can be easily practiced by anyone at any time without meditation training, although she presents the benefits of sitting meditation. With anecdotes from her teachers and examples from her own and others' lives, Chodron demonstrates that people can stop their suffering and access their natural intelligence, warmth and openness. Throughout, she emphasizes the global implications of personal change. Among her strengths are compassion for the difficulty of human existence and her willingness to acknowledge her own failings. This short guide provides valuable tools for change in uncertain times. (Sept. 8)
Copyright: Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Taking the Leap: Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears

by: Pema Chodron

Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 11/07/2009)

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More Pema Chodron books

Best Pema Chodron Buddhism Books

Buddhism is becoming more popular every day. Pema Chodron's books have a lot to do with that: they offer practical advice on how to deal with the troubles and annoyances of daily life. On this page I've collected her best books, her most popular book...

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Buddhist Wisdom

A Complete Introduction to the Principles and Practices of Buddhism

Gill Farrer-Halls gives an excellent introduction into both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. The word 'encyclopedia' is probably not well chosen, but otherwise there's good reason why my readers often end up buying this book.

The many illustrations make the hardcover edition a great gift idea as well.

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

by: Gill Farrer-Halls

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

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Buddhism and the Twelve Steps

One Breath at a Time

Kevin Griffin - a Buddhist meditation teacher - shares his story of recovery from addiction. His story is touching and shows the real life struggles even a meditation teacher may go through. In the end it's a combination of Buddhist teachings turned around and the help of a 12 step program (a sort of Sangha he calls it) that gets his life back on the road.

One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps

by: Kevin Griffin

Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 11/07/2009)

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Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Buddhism

Perhaps the best book to start with if you want to learn more about Buddhism. Gary Gach introduces Buddhist practice in the context of Buddhist history. He explains concepts, terminology and gives statistics. But he also shares stories, koans, anecdotes.

In other words: if you want to know the context of Buddhist belief within world history, within Buddhist history - and you start out knowing nothing - this is as good a place to start as any.
And well written too. And at a bargain price (I may add).

Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Buddhism, Second Edition

by: Gary Gach

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Buddhism For Dummies

Does this require an introduction? The For Dummies series is well known for providing a great introduction to any topic imaginable. This book is no exception. Learn about Buddhist terminology, teachings, history and more.

Buddhism For Dummies (For Dummies (Religion & Spirituality))

by: Jonathan Landaw, Stephan Bodian

Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 11/07/2009)

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Dalai Lama on How to Practice

The Way to a Meaningful Life

H.H. shares his vision on how to live a full life making every moment a form of spiritual practice.

How to Practice : The Way to a Meaningful Life

by: Dalai Lama

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

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What the Buddha Taught

Revised and Expanded Edition with Texts from Suttas and Dhammapada

If you want to find out what the Buddha actually said about important topics of Buddhist doctrine - this is the book for you. In plain English translation from the oldest Buddhist texts: the Pali canon and the Dhammapada.

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

by: Walpola Rahula

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

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The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living

Just what it says: a handle on the most difficult questions in life. Psychiatrist Howard Cutler interviewed the Dalai Lama and the book that results is a synthesis of his psychological insight and His Holiness' wisdom.

The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living

by: Dalai Lama, Howard C. Cutler

Amazon Price: $15.57 (as of 11/07/2009)

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Awakening the Buddha Within

Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World

Lama Surya Das wrote a classic that helped popularize Buddhism in the West. It's often quoted & still a great introduction to the meditative core of Buddhism for ordinary people in the modern world.

Awakening the Buddha Within: Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World

by: Lama Surya Das

Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 11/07/2009)

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Reader Feedback

Lensmaster

C-Joy wrote...

I've always wanted to read more books on Buddhism, but there are so many to choose from! Your guide is very helpful indeed - Peace Is Every Step will most likely be the first one :)

Posted April 12, 2009

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Most popular Buddhism Books 2009

Top 10 List of Buddhist Books

Contents at a Glance

Contents at a Glance

The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching

Thich Nhat Hanh

Buddhism Plain and Simple

Buddhism for Beginners

Thubten Chodron

Peace Is Every Step

The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life

In the Buddha's Words

An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon

Buddhism for Mothers

A Calm Approach to Caring for Yourself and Your Children

Taking the Leap: Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears

Pema Chodron

More Pema Chodron books

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Buddhist Wisdom

A Complete Introduction to the Principles and Practices of Buddhism

Buddhism and the Twelve Steps

One Breath at a Time

Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Buddhism

Buddhism For Dummies

Dalai Lama on How to Practice

The Way to a Meaningful Life

What the Buddha Taught

Revised and Expanded Edition with Texts from Suttas and Dhammapada

The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living

Awakening the Buddha Within

Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World

More Buddhism Gift ideas and products

More spiritual books & products

More about Buddhism

Reader Feedback

Buddhist book reviews online

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