What are some great books on Buddhism?
What are some great books on Buddhism?
The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama
What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula
The Beginnings of Buddhism - Kogen Mizuno
Buddhism: The Religion of No-Religion - Alan Watts
The Elements of Buddhism - John Snelling
An Introduction to Zen Buddhism - D.T. Suzuki
The way to freedom - HH The dalai Lama
The seven Pillars of Zen
Buddhism in a Foreign Land - Robert Mann
It depends what tradition you want.
Entering the Stream is a great book.
Drinking from the Mountain Stream is another great book, it is of the songs of Milarepa, although you should read the above mentioned one first.
This one sounds good, I might order this.Originally Posted by Jermac
I quite enjoyed this. It didn't really tell me anything I haven't already heard before but it helped to go over old ground in an interesting way. I have also not read much on the Dalai Lama so that was also interesting. I wanted a general, easy going - even Western perspective on Buddhism and this did the trick. I'm going to pass this book onto a friend I think, it seems like a book you should give away to somebody else if you see what I mean.
Anyway, I want to read some more books on Buddhism and I am looking for recommendations if possible. I'm looking for something a little deeper than the one I've just read, something that is more detailed than explaining the four noble truths and about the eightfold path, but not something that is too extreme or way out. In short, probably something intermediate. I would prefer secondary books on Buddhism as opposed to primary texts like the Dharmmapada, as I have that, thanks.
I don't know that much about traditions either, is that really important? I think I'll Amazon search those above (and the other links they always give you) to see if any of those seem to suit what I am looking for, but if you have an opinion of what I may be looking for then I would be grateful if you could advise, thanks.
There are differences in approaches in the different schools of Buddhism, though the common root is obvious upon reading the texts.
Northern Buddhism - Tibet, China, Japan, Mongolia - often referred to as the Mahayana or Great Vehicle - developed Buddhism through various great teachers such as Lama Tsonkhapa in Tibet. Chan developed in China followed by Zen in Japan. Zen stresses a quite rigorous meditation practice. Tibetan Buddhism has developed Guru Yoga or the devotion to a teacher, and a gradual path of meditation and teaching called the Lam Rim.
Southern or Therevadan Buddhism - Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Thailand, tends to be the more traditional path. It relies upon texts passed down through the oral tradition until they were eventually written down in Pali. The written style often mimics the oral tradition which emphasises lists and repetition to aid memory. Thus the original texts are sometimes a bit dry for the Western reader.
Which one you prefer depends upon you. Both have strong traditions.
I think you're right to read western scholars of Buddhism as they make it more accessible. Westerners biographical works about their experiences are also quite inspiring. Buddhism in a Foreign land is Mann's experience with Therevadan Buddhism. The Seven Pillars of Zen is also by a Westerner. There are lots. I'll post some more as I think of them.
Thanks for your input. I have just ordered this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eight-Steps-...ref=pd_sim_b_6
Eight Steps to Happiness: The Buddhist Way of Loving Kindness
by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
After having a look around I thought that the books listed were not really for me, but this one came up and I remember hearing about it on a site I once visited, so I went with this for now.
I enjoyed reading about the story in the book I mentioned above about the guy who had to give money to all those who insulted him for three years on instruction from his teacher. After the three years were up he went back to the teacher and said he completed his task. The teacher insulted him. The student laughed and the teacher asked him why he was laughing. The student explained that for the past three years he had paid for insults but now he can get them for free! I liked that one and passed it on today.
Of course, it comes in handy for me and is an excellent example of learning how to develop compassion and self-control. Just a couple of hours ago I was biking back from my brothers when two separate random people called me a c*** and a stupid idiot (some people can't cope with difference, - how out there, that a person should ride a bike and wear a bright green top! Don’t forget I live on the poor side of Sheffield). Anyway, I smiled and though of this story, and wondered if I should give them a couple of quid!At least they didn't bother me one bit, so it is a sign such things do work, great stuff. It also helped me at work today, where insults are part of the daily routine. Thanks again.
I would again really recommend Entering the Stream. It's not a primary or secondary book. It covers some basics but it does so in unique and extremely well-written articles by genuine, advanced Buddhists, every one of which spoke to me very much. And then later in the book they get into a few more layers of Buddhism. I think this book would be a spiritual experience for practically anyone; an do a great deal in terms of understanding certain parts of Buddhism, and help one a lot in coming free of all kinds of misconceptions about life...
It covers, again, some basics about the concepts in Buddhism of karma, of non-duality, but then it also contains some nice poetry about other topics, including for example a wonderful poem "Chase Them Away!," and the Hsin Hsin Ming, or "Inscription on Trust in the Mind." All in all it is covers nearly everything in Buddhism, and every part is of the highest quality.
Last edited by NikolaiI; 12-15-2009 at 07:33 PM.
Geshe Kelsang's books are very clear, but the organisation that he is the leader of is a bit controvercial. Look carefully into any group you might come across that are from his organisation - the NKT. You'll be able to find references to them aplenty on the internet. They were the group protesting against HH The dalai Lama when he visited a couple of years ago. I hope you don't mind me saying this.Thanks for your input. I have just ordered this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eight-Steps-...ref=pd_sim_b_6
Eight Steps to Happiness: The Buddhist Way of Loving Kindness
by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
After having a look around I thought that the books listed were not really for me, but this one came up and I remember hearing about it on a site I once visited, so I went with this for now.
I enjoyed reading about the story in the book I mentioned above about the guy who had to give money to all those who insulted him for three years on instruction from his teacher. After the three years were up he went back to the teacher and said he completed his task. The teacher insulted him. The student laughed and the teacher asked him why he was laughing. The student explained that for the past three years he had paid for insults but now he can get them for free! I liked that one and passed it on today.
Of course, it comes in handy for me and is an excellent example of learning how to develop compassion and self-control. Just a couple of hours ago I was biking back from my brothers when two separate random people called me a c*** and a stupid idiot (some people can't cope with difference, - how out there, that a person should ride a bike and wear a bright green top! Don’t forget I live on the poor side of Sheffield). Anyway, I smiled and though of this story, and wondered if I should give them a couple of quid!
I hope you enjoy the book though.
Thanks NikolaiI, I will certainly look into that and possibily order it in a minute, it certainly sounds like it covers quite a few bases.
No, not at all Paulclem, I am glad that you mentioned it, I haven't a clue about the NKT or what that means but I'll check it out. I'm sure that there are some useful things in the book anyway. Thanks again.
(Book duely ordered at a cost of 1p plus postage.)
Last edited by LitNetIsGreat; 12-15-2009 at 08:00 PM.
The NKT is the New Kadampa Tradition.
"Awakening the Buddha Within" : Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World
Lama Surya Das.Best of Luck.:-)
I am the author of Parmethia
Thanks, that sounds good I've ordered that as well.
Want to read a critical book? Try "The Unexpected Way" by Paul Williams. He's famous for being the westerner who wrote the advanced textbook on Mahayana Buddhism that most serious Buddhists used to recommend (including the Dalai Lama.) Check it out and you will see why I say "used to"
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