Recommend Me a Good Book About Budhism

[cuppajoe_9]

Keeping in mind that I know next to nothing about it.

[byquist]

Charlotte Joko Beck has written two very readable Zen books that is. Google her name and you can see a couple pages start to one of these books. She's out of San Diego.

[mono]

I would recommend A Buddhist Bible by Dwight Goddard; it contains many of the essential teachings and beliefs of Buddhism, and even a copy of the Tao Te Ching by Lao-Tzu.
Either that, or anything by the Dalai Lama.

[Gawaine]

Regarding the Dalai Lama: I find him to be one of the most fascinating individuals of our day. His books are written as, of course, instructions on how to improve ones life. What I am amazed by is with his tone and range. When I began reading his books and learning about him, I was more and more amazed at not only what he went through in Nepal and subsequent battles with the People's Republic of China, but how he continues to call his friends in China 'brothers', where many might consider them his enemies.

What I came to, in reading his texts, is that this is a man who understands that Buddhism must evolve from the older, perhaps more mystical and shamanistic tendancies of the religion. His simple philosophy on how one should live their lives, and preaching near-universal human values. If not for the mysticism, the Dalai Lama has lived a perfectly harmonious life as a Muslim, Christian, Zoroastrian, you name it. This is a holy individual.

Pardon for the digression though. I am no Buddhist, simply an a devout admirer of what His Holiness preaches around the world.

[Kouchy]

well, you could try reading the Dhammapada just to get a general idea about the religion. Translated Pali text is widely available. There's also a biography about Buddha by George N. Marshall which is some good background reading too. Hope it helps!

[Ryan_002]

Well here in the far east we have many different brands of Buddhism, almost as many branches as there are, say, Church denominations. If you tell me which branch you are interested in I can ask for you.

A good introduction to Buddhist ethics is Journey to the West, which (in the subtext, not the surface story!) chronicles China's movement from Taoism to Buddhism. Many translations are available.

If you are interested in Zen Buddhism, you may like Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Mantainance, by Pirsig.

[cosmos..33]

Two good starting places:

1. The chapter on Buddhism from Huston Smith's The World's Religions. This provides historical background and central tenets.

2. Scott Hagan's Buddhism: Plain and Simple. This provides ways Buddhism can help you right here, right now, in this moment. A great read.

[genoveva]

Going On Being: Buddhism and the Way of Change; A Positive Psychology for the West
by Mark Epstein, M.D.