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Recommended Readings

Recommended Readings

Approaching actual Buddhist texts can be daunting, especially for people who are unfamiliar with Buddhism. Therefore, I have listed and described many books which I have found personally helpful in my studies of the dharma (the teachings of Buddhism). These titles range from children's books to scholarly texts. For easier reference, I divided this book list into various categories, though clearly many of these books would fit into more than one area and perhaps (like Buddhism itself) defy categorization. I tried to include books that cover a wide range of topics, and even offer critiques of Buddhism.

A few of these books are quite expensive, but most of them are available in paperback and very affordable. Due to my own academic training, many of these texts have a strong scholarly bent. For books that are particularly rare, I try to list some publishing information to make them easier to locate. Hopefully in this list you will find some resources that will be of use to you in your own unique spiritual path.

Biographies

The Book of Tibetan Elders: The Life Stories and Wisdom of the Great Spiritual Masters of Tibet by Sandy Johnson, with a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. A powerful collection of short biographies. Johnson weaves many intimate portraits, including those of Tibetan doctors, the state oracle, and great women masters.

Bones of the Master: A Buddhist Monk's Search for the Lost Heart of China by George Crane. Crane, a poet and westerner is in many ways skeptical of Ch'an (Chinese Zen), yet he accompanies Tsung Tsai , a Ch'an monk who happens to be his next door neighbor on a dangerous spiritual pilgrimage to Mongolia. A moving text, filled with poetry, that will present a style of Ch'an/Zen that is surprising to most western Buddhists.

Crooked Cucumber: The Life and Zen Teaching of Shunryu Suzuki by David Chadwick. Chadwick, movingly tells the story of his beloved teacher. Suzuki-roshi is one of the major figures in bringing Zen to the west, and here the reader is allowed an intimate view of a great Zen master. Both Suzuki's wisdom and raw humanity are on vivid display. I found the sections describing Suzuki-roshi's death to be particularly poignant.

Empty Cloud: The Autobiography of the Chinese Zen Master Xu Yun translated by Charles Luk and revised and edited by Richard Hunn. Longmead: Element Books Limited, 1988. This book was recommended to me by one of my professors at Harvard to demonstrate how Ch'an/Zen is usually practiced and understood in Asia, which can be much different than in the west. A hard to find, but wonderful book. This tells the story of Xu Yun, who is said to have died at the age of 120. Perhaps the most revered Ch'an/Zen teacher in modern Chinese history, he endured great hardship and even torture by the communist Chinese government to help the teachings of Buddhism endure and thrive.

The First Buddhist Women: Translations and Commentary on the Therigatha by Susan Murcott. A personal favorite of mine, this accessible scholarly text is a translation of and commentary on the enlightenment verses of the first female disciples of the Historical Buddha. Murcott explores Buddhism's comparatively liberal attitude towards women through the study of the Therigatha, the earliest known collection of women's religious poetry.

Freedom in Exile: The Autobiography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet. London: Abacus, 1990. The second autobiography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, written after he won the Nobel Peace Prize. Also an inspirational text, which, in my opinion, has a bit more of a political focus than his earlier autobiography (see below). I highly recommend reading both of these texts.

Great Disciples of the Buddha: Their Lives, the Works, Their Legacy by Nyanaponika Thera and Hellmuth Hecker. Based on the Pali canon (the oldest Buddhist scriptures), this outstanding book gives biographies of twenty four of the Buddha's closest personal disciples. Describing in vivid detail the lives of such legendary figures as Ananda, Mahakassapa, and Kisagotami, the reader gains great insight into early Buddhism, and how the ideals of Buddhism can be achieved. I highly recommend this book.

At Hell's Gate: A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace by Claude Anshin Thomas. A moving memoir of a decorated American soldier in Vietnam, who was deeply tormented as a result of his combat experiences. When he returned to the United States after his war service he struggled with post traumatic stress disorder, alcohol and drug addiction and homelessness. Eventually he turned towards Buddhism and was ordained as a Zen monk. Having overcome much of the suffering in his life, he is now a Buddhist teacher and peace activist.

My Land and My People: The Memoirs of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama of Tibet, by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. New Delhi: Srishti Publishers and Distributors, 1977. The first of two autobiographies by His Holiness. This book was written before he won the Nobel Peace Prize and shows a very personal side of this renowned spiritual teacher. Includes many photographs of Tibet before he was forced to flee to India, an appendix which serves as an introduction to Buddhism, and a second appendix with appeals he sent on behalf of his country to the United Nations.

Once the Buddha Was a Monkey: Arya Sura's Jatakamala translated from the Sanskrit by Peter Khoroche. The Jatakamala was most likely written in the fourth century C.E., and is widely considered one of the masterpieces of Sanskrit Buddhist literature. While much beloved in Asia, it is little known in the west. Jataka stories recount stories about the Historical Buddha in his previous lives. Whether as a great king, rabbit or monkey, the Holy One is shown in devout pursuit of enlightenment. Jataka tales are very common in the Pali canon (the oldest Buddhist scriptures) and are especially popular with children and laypeople. As Buddhism spread throughout Asia, each country developed their own Jataka narratives. Whether they are believed literally, or seen more as metaphor or mythology, they are richly entertaining and a skillful way to convey Buddhist ideas.

Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer, with a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Much better than the movie version, this true story of a European mountain climber who was a tutor for the young fourteenth Dalai Lama is an amazing tale. This text gives an intimate portrait of Tibet before the Chinese invasion.

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Children's Books

Once the Buddha Was a Monkey: Arya Sura's Jatakamala translated from the Sanskrit by Peter Khoroche. (Please see description under Biographies).

Tantra Colouring Book text and illustrations by Tania Sironic. Published by Book Faith India and distributed by Pilgrims Book House, there are many good coloring books in this series including Mandala Colouring Book, Thangka Colouring Book, and Himalayan Masks Colouring Book.

The Three Questions, based on a story by Leo Tolstoy and written and illustrated by Jon J. Muth. Though not explicitly a Buddhist book, it offers the themes of being fully present and compassionate in a richly illustrated text. This book is a delight for both children and adults.

Tibet Through the Red Box by Peter Sis. Adults and children alike will be amazed by this book, which is literally one of the most beautiful books I have ever seen. Sis recreates the tales his father told him of his travels and experiences in Tibet, before and during the Chinese invasion. The artwork and stories are captivating.

Why Charlie Brown, Why? A Story About What Happens When a Friend Is Very Ill by Charles M. Schulz. I know from personal experience that explaining illness and disease to children can be very difficult. Though not a Buddhist text, I think this is a good book for helping children in difficult times.

Zen Shorts also by Jon J. Muth; in this beautiful book Muth, and his narrator Stillwater, a giant panda, tell three classic Zen tales.

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Comparative Religlion

The Gethsemani Encounter: A Dialogue on the Spiritual Life by Buddhist and Christian Monastics edited by Donald Mitchell and James Wiseman. The first part of this book offers discussions on topics such as ultimate reality, prayer, meditation and living in community. The second section contains dialogues between monastics from the two traditions, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama. An insightful and moving analysis of these two traditions.

Going Home: Jesus and Buddha as Brothers and Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh. One of the world's best known Zen teachers reflects on the many commonalities between the Historical Buddha and Jesus Christ.

Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings, edited by Marcus Borg. Borg, the great scholar of Christianity, offers a fascinating text. This book compares quotes from the canonical Christian New Testament with the Buddhist Pali canon (oldest Buddhist scriptures). I do have two critiques of this book. First, these scriptural passages were originally written in Greek and Pali, respectively. Thus, the exact parallel nature of these important quotes, and hence, their ultimate meaning, is reliant upon translation - which at times is perhaps debatable. Second, in the foreword, Jack Kornfield writes: "What matters is not the scholarly or theological differences between Buddhism and Christianity, but that both offer us direct teachings, instructions, practices, ways to conduct our lives and free our hearts." Theology and religious philosophy do matter a great deal to the vast majority of religious believers, Buddhists and Christians included. Kornfield's assertion is far too simplistic, and exactly how similar or different these two ancient traditions are is debatable. Still, there is much commonality to be sure, and in a world fractured by religious strife, religious understanding is certainly a good thing, and this book is a useful step in that regard.

John Paul II and Interreligious Dialogue edited by Byron Sherwin and Harold Kasimow. John Paul II was one of the most influential popes in Roman Catholic history. He also commented a great deal on other religions. Here the book offers his commentary and critiques of Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism and has teachers from these traditions respond.

The Meanings of Death and The Problems of Suffering in Religions of the World are both written by John Bowker, a renowned scholar of comparative religion. These two books offer great insight into many of the worlds major religions.

Religion and the Body edited by Sarah Coakley. Dr. Coakley is an ordained Christian minister and respected theologian. She was also one of my favorite professors at Harvard. This text offers many fine scholarly essays on religious and secular perspectives on the intersections of physical and spiritual existence. In addition to offering perspectives from western religions, it explores the ideas of Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Taoism, and Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.

The Religious Experience of Mankind by Ninian Smart. Smart is a pioneer in comparative religion, and I highly recommend his books. This scholarly text gives a good overview of many of the major world religions, ranging from the Americas to East Asia. Smart's shorter text Religions of the West is also a fascinating exploration of comparative religion. In addition to the theistic religions of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, it explores the dawn of western religions in Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, Greece etc. and also covers briefly classical and new religions of the Americas, Pacific, and Africa. I find this text particularly useful for its explication of the seven dimensions of religion.

Spiritual Advice for Buddhists and Christians and The Good Heart: A Buddhist Perspective on the Teachings of Jesus by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In both these texts, His Holiness reaches out to Christians and finds much common ground. These texts are must-haves for those interested in Buddhist-Christian dialogue.

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Difficult Times and Suffering

Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Kabat-Zinn, founder of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, has helped many with his practical advice and meditation techniques to deal with the inevitable difficulties that arise in life.

Hidden Spring: A Buddhist Woman Confronts Cancer by Sandy Boucher, in 1995 Boucher, a former Buddhist nun, was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer. She shares her personal experiences and what helped her cope with her major illness.

When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times, Comfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion, The Places that Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times, and Getting Unstuck: Breaking Your Habitual Patterns and Encountering Naked Reality are all by Pema Chodron, an American Buddhist nun who has written many excellent books filled with practical advice.

A Year to Live: How to Live This Year as if it were your Last by Stephen Levine, is a book that has brought meaning and comfort to many people I know personally. Levine, a leading meditation teacher, challenges us to face our mortality directly, and in the process, become transformed.

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End-of-Life

Advice on Dying and Living a Better Life by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and translated and edited by Jeffrey Hopkins. Perhaps no one is more qualified to write on this topic than His Holiness.

Lessons from the Dying by Rodney Smith, who was ordained in Asia and spent several years in intensive retreat. He currently works as Director of Hospice of Seattle, and his wisdom and experience are demonstrated in this fine book.

No Death, No Fear: Comforting Wisdom for Life, by Thich Nhat Hanh. Thay, as he is affectionately known by his students, draws on his years of wisdom and practice for this gentle and compassionate book.

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Engaged Buddhism

Engaged Buddhism in the West edited by Christopher Queen and Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist Liberation Movements in Asia edited by Queen and Sallie B. King. I read these books during a seminar class with Dr. Queen at Harvard. My former teacher's assertion that a new, fourth "turning of the dharma wheel" (school of Buddhism) is needed is provocative and controversial. These two collections of essays by leading Buddhist teachers in the east and west are insightful, moving, well researched, and a powerful call to action.

The Path of Compassion: Writings on Socially Engaged Buddhism edited by Fred Eppsteiner. A powerful collection of essays by renowned Buddhist teachers, such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Maha Ghosananda urging Buddhist practitioners to get off their meditation cushions and use their spiritual practice to ease the suffering of all sentient beings.

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History of Buddhism

Buddhism Betrayed?: Religion, Politics, and Violence in Sri Lanka by Stanley Jeyaraja Tambiah. A moving and scholarly investigation of the history of Sri Lanka towards an understanding of how Buddhist monks and laypeople become involved in violence. This text is also a moving plea for peace and understanding.

The Edicts of Asoka edited and translated by N.A. Nikam and Richard McKeon. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1959. Asoka, the ruler of India in the third century B.C.E. is known as a great king or "wheel turner" who renounced violence for peace and helped to spread the teachings of early Buddhism. This text offers translation and commentary on his writings. Studying the life and works of Asoka yields valuable insights for serious students into early Buddhism.

How the Swans Came to the Lake: A Narrative History of Buddhism in America by Rick Fields. An enjoyable, readable account of how Buddhism came to the west.

Shoes Outside the Door: Desire, Devotion, and Excess at San Francisco Zen Center by Michael Downing. After leading Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki died, his personally designated dharma heir, Richard Baker, brought great scandal to the San Francisco Zen Center. This text is a useful investigation into the abuse of power and spiritual authority.

Theravada Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benares to Modern Colombo by Richard Gombrich and Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations by Paul Williams were written as scholarly companion books, and are some of the best books on the history of Buddhism. Gombrich's text is particularly valuable as it recounts the early history of Buddhism, and describes how early Buddhism arose and differentiated itself from the other religions of India. I found the book by Williams especially useful as it described various beliefs, philosophies, and texts of the major schools of Mahayana Buddhism.

Zen at War by Brian Daizen Victoria. Victoria is both an ordained Zen priest and an academic scholar of Buddhism. Here he provides an accurate yet stunning revelation of the tragic relationship between Japanese Zen and Japanese militarism during World War II.

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Introductory Texts

Buddhism Without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening by Stephen Batchelor. As Lama Surya Das once said to me: "No one is more Buddhist than Stephen Batchelor." Batchelor, once ordained in both the Korean Zen and Tibetan traditions, gives a simple, clear explanation of Buddhist ideas, and demonstrates the spirituality of agnosticism. I highly recommend this book for those who are new to the dharma (the teachings of Buddhism).

Buddhist Cosmology: Philosophy and Origins by Akira Sadakata. Offers a thorough explication of the Buddhist view of the universe. This text begins by explaining classic cosmology and how it relates to karma, rebirth, and enlightenment. Then it shifts to Mahayana conceptions of the universe. The author also fleshes out how this ancient philosophy resonates with modern science. Whether one views these ideas literally or as skillful analogies and metaphors, this is a fine introduction to a complex topic. This text might be more useful to readers who are familiar with basic Buddhist concepts.

Pruning the Bodhi Tree: The Storm over Critical Buddhism edited by Jamie Hubbard and Paul Swanson. A fine, though for many readers complex, survey of the intersections and controversies between academic/critical studies of Buddhism and Buddhist practice. Structured around the research of Hakamaya Noriaki and Matsumoto Shiro, who are both Buddhist believers and leading Japanese scholars, academics from the East and the West weigh in on matters of critical importance to Buddhist studies. Controversial arguments such as whether or not Zen is Buddhist, or the doctrine of Buddha-nature is counter to the teachings of the Historical Buddha, are explored.

What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula. This classic text is one of the best explications of Buddhism, for either new or experienced readers, that I have come across. This book contains a useful bibliography and glossary. It also has many useful excerpts from the Pali canon (the earliest Buddhist scriptures).

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Meditation

Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana. The expanded edition was published in 2002. I have not come across a better book on this topic; it is a skillful and thorough guide on how to meditate which both beginners and seasoned practitioners can learn a lot from. Bhante G, as he is affectionately known, presents a style of meditation that can be skillfully practiced by Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.

The Relaxation Response by Herbert Benson, M.D., though there are other books on this topic that are more comprehensive, this is one of the first books to document empirically the physical and emotional benefits of meditation.

Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn. A practical, thorough explication of the many dimensions of mindfulness meditation. Kabat-Zinn draws upon much empirical research to support his teaching of this practice.

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice by Shunryu Suzuki. A remarkable book; all of Suzki-roshi's books are excellent, but this is a personal favorite of mine. A collection of dharma talks on various dimensions of Zen meditation and philosophy. This text might be a bit complex for those who are new to Buddhism.

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Miscellaneous

A Devil's Chaplain: Reflections on Hope, Lies, Science, and Love by Richard Dawkins. One of the most renowned evolutionary biologists discusses a wide range of subjects related to spirituality and science. In a letter to his young daughter he argues for the necessity of basing beliefs on sound evidence.

Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism by Susan Jacoby. This book does not discuss Buddhism, but I think it should be required reading for all American citizens. It gives a fine history of the tension between religious liberals and conservatives and clearly demonstrates how the constitutional founders of the United States clearly desired a "wall" between church and state

Man's Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy by Viktor E. Frankl. Nietzsche's famous observation, "He who has a why to live can bear almost any how." is echoed by Frank's logotherapy. The first section of this book vividly recounts Frankl's own experiences as a Holocaust survivor. The second section is a lucid explication of logotherapy. While not a Buddhist text, I think it deeply resonates with the teachings of Buddhism.

Meditation as Medicine: Activate the Power of your Natural Healing Force by Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D. and Cameron Stauth. Dr. Khalsa is one of the few individuals in the world who is both a physician and a yogi. While he discusses Buddhism directly only occasionally, this text will be of interest to many Buddhist practitioners as he explores the connections between eastern thought and western science.

Mysticism and Religious Traditions edited by Steven Katz. This collection of scholarly essays offers thorough, and for many what would be considered surprising, articles on mysticism. Explores the relationship between mystics and organized religions. Like many mystics themselves, these scholars argue convincingly that mysticism can only be fully understood in the context of organized religion. This text discusses mysticism as it relates to many of the different world religions. Contains some of my personal favorite scholars of religion: Ninian Smart and Robert Gimello.

Night by Elie Wiesel. Though not a Buddhist text, this is perhaps one of the definitive explorations of suffering. This book graphically recounts Wiesel's experiences in Auschwitz and Buchenwald and movingly demonstrates the wide ranges of responses in the face of unimaginable suffering. Wiesel is frequently cited, but after personally studying with him, I conclude that his message defies simple interpretations.

Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics That Will Be Able to Come Forward as Science by Immanuel Kant, the Paul Carus translation, revised by James Ellington. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Co, Inc. 1977. One of the most widely read of Kant's books and a fine introduction to his thought. Kant was a seminal figure in the shift of power from theology to philosophy. While not a Buddhist text, it is interesting to read in terms of the similarities and differences with Buddhist thought.

Religious Experience by Wayne Proudfoot. Drawing on modern philosophy, theology, and the social sciences, this text deconstructs and thoroughly critiques the notion of pure, unconditioned religious experience. Though the author only directly addresses Buddhism occasionally, the discussions are of vital importance to Buddhist practitioners. While much of Buddhist thought and practice is based on the idea of direct experience, I must concede that Proudfoot's arguments are hard to refute philosophically.

Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche. Published in four separate accounts, the fourth section was delayed in publishing for eight years by Nietzsche's own family for fear it would be confiscated for blasphemy. Nietzsche has been much maligned for being anti-Semitic, which was not true. For example, in The Genealogy of Morals he referred to Jews as the "noblest race." While at Harvard, I read Zarathustra in a class with Elie Wiesel, who was a great admirer of Nietzsche. While not a Buddhist text, I think it is interesting to read and compare to Buddhist philosophy. Further, I think all religious people should be well read in the critics of religion.

Transforming Depression: Egocide, Symbolic Death, and New Life, A Jungian Approach Using the Creative Arts by David H. Rosen, M.D. Though not a Buddhist text, Rosen draws upon eastern thought. His concept of egocide, that the ego must die and be reborn, deeply echoes Buddhist thought. His psychiatric theories of the transformative nature of depression have many intersections with Buddhist thought and practice.

Why I am Not a Christian and other Essays on Religion and Related Subjects by Bertrand Russell. This famous pacifist, mathematician, and philosopher was also a great critic of religion. Declaring "What I had to say applies equally to Christianity, Communism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and all theological systems," he proceeds to deconstruct many of the beliefs of the world's major religions and thought systems. Though he comments directly on Buddhism only occasionally, his reflections are provocative. Critics of religion are often friends of religion by raising legitimate roads of inquiry. The appendix describes how Russell was declared "unfit" to teach philosophy at the College of the City of New York.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig. There are literally hundreds of books with titles that begin "Zen and the art of __." This is the first and best of these books. Pirsig was a student of Shunryu Suzuki and his book has stood the test of time. An engaging book exploring the differences between eastern and western philosophy and how "the Buddha is in the gearbox."

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Philosophy

The Monk and the Philosopher: A Father and Son Discuss the Meaning of Life by Jean Francois Revel and Matthieu Ricard. Revel, a leading modern French philosopher and critic of religion, dialogues with his son Ricard who gave up a successful career as a scientist to become a Buddhist monk. Together they explore the similarities and differences between philosophy, science, and religion.

Selfless Persons: Imagery and Thought in Theravada Buddhism and Nirvana and Other Buddhist Felicities by Steven Collins, are dense and rewarding scholarly explorations of the doctrine of anatta (no-self) in early Buddhist texts.

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Photography Books

The Dalai Lama's Secret Temple: Tantric Wall Paintings from Tibet by Ian Baker, and photographs by Thomas Laird, with an introduction by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This book contains 150 color photographs of an ancient Tibetan temple and its Tantric art which served as a private residence for Tibet's Dalai Lamas.

A Portrait of Lost Tibet text by Rosemary Jones Tung and photographs by Ilya Tolstoy and Brooke Dolan. In 1942 these photographers were sent to Tibet on a diplomatic mission which yielded these black and white photographs. This book offers a rare glimpse of life inside Tibet before the Chinese occupation.

Sacred Mountains of the World by Edwin Bernbaum, who is a mountaineer and scholar of comparative religion, has photos and reflections on famous mountains throughout the world which are sacred to many of the worlds various religious traditions.

Tibet's Sacred Mountains: The Extraordinary Pilgrimage to Mount Kailas by photographer Russell Johnson and Kerry Moran. Color photographs depict in beautiful detail the beauty of this mountain, regarded by both Hindus and Tibetan Buddhists as sacred.

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Psychology, Psychiatry and Buddhism

The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living written by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler, M.D. is a practical exploration of how we live fully based on Buddhism and psychiatry.

Suffering is Optional: Three Keys to Freedom and Joy by Cheri Huber. Huber's short but insightful text gives practical advice to overcoming difficulties in our lives and living fully.

Thoughts Without a Thinker by Mark Epstein, M.D. an excellent exploration of psychotherapy from a Buddhist perspective.

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Reference

The Complete Guide to Buddhist America edited by Don Morreale, with a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. A useful listing of over one thousand sanghas (Buddhist communities) in the United States and Canada. It is divided up into Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, and Buddhayana (nonsectarian sanghas) and contains many essays by leading Buddhist teachers on a wide variety of topics. I have one strong critique of this book: it contains no Shin or Soka Gakkai sanghas.

The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion: A Complete Survey of the Teachers, Traditions, and Literature of Asian Wisdom, published by Shambhala Publications, is one of the best, easy-to-use, reference books on Buddhism, Zen, and other systems of Asian religion and thought.

Tantra in Practice edited by David Gordon is a collection of scholarly essays exploring Tantric thought and practice throughout Asia. Buddhism in Practice edited by Donald Lopez is a comprehensive assembly of research articles describing the rituals of Buddhism in countries ranging from Burma to Tibet. Both these texts, and others, are written in the same academic series.

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Science and Buddhism

Buddhism and Science: Breaking New Ground edited by B. Alan Wallace is a comprehensive collection of articles by distinguished physicists, cognitive scientists, and scholars from related disciplines on the many connections between science and Buddhism in areas such as quantum theory, quantum mechanics, time, relativity, and the mind.

Heart Sutra: Ancient Buddhist Wisdom in the Light of Quantum Reality by Mu Soeng. Mu Soeng, a former Son (Korean Zen) monk, gives a fascinating explication of this famous Mahayana text and how it relates to modern science.

MindScience: An East-West Dialogue edited by Daniel Goleman and Robert Thurman is an exploration of the mind and consciousness with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and leading scientists of the west.

The Quantum and the Lotus: A Journey to the Frontiers where Science and Buddhism Meet by Matthieu Ricard and Trinh Xuan Thuan, investigates concepts ranging from the beginning of the universe to time and the nature of the mind. Matthieu Ricard was trained as a molecular biologist and working in the lab of a Nobel prize-winning scientist and is now a Buddhist monk and translator for the Dalai Lama. Trinh Thuan was raised in a Buddhist family in Vietnam and is now an acclaimed astrophysicist and specialist on how galaxies are formed.

Sleeping, Dreaming, and Dying: An Exploration of Consciousness with The Dalai Lama narrated by Francisco Varela is an account of the historic dialogue between His Holiness and leading western scientists.

Zen and the Brain: Toward and Understanding of Meditation and Consciousness by James Austin, M.D. Austin, a neuroscientist, gives a fascinating explanation of the anatomy, physiology, and chemistry that accompany various brain states during meditation. Austin also explores topics such as sleep and dreams, mental illness, and the social consequences of advanced stages of enlightenment. An excellent, though complex, text.

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Shin/Pure Land Buddhism

No Abode: The Record of Ippen by Dennis Hirota. Ippen, the wandering Buddhist teacher, was a seminal figure in medieval Japanese Buddhism. This scholarly volume offers a fascinating translation and commentary of all of Ippen's writings, including his letters, verse, and records of his spoken words.

Rennyo: The Second Founder of Shin Buddhism by Minor Rogers and Ann Rogers. A scholarly text offering translation and commentary of Rennyo's letters. Explores the lives and thought of Shinran and Rennyo, often regarded as the two founders of Shin Buddhism.

Toward a Contemporary Understanding of Pure Land Buddhism: Creating a Shin Buddhist Theology in a Religiously Plural World edited by Dennis Hirota. A fascinating attempt by a leading Japanese Buddhist scholar to creatively and authentically reinterpret traditional Shin/Pure Land thought. I especially enjoy that he allows Gordon Kaufman, a noted Harvard scholar and Christian apologist to comment on his work. Kaufman attempts a similar path in Christianity, reconciling traditional Christian theology with advances in modern science. I have had the pleasure of hearing both these men speak, and this is an important contribution to modern religious thought.

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Son (Korean Zen)

A Buddha from Korea: Zen Teachings of Taego translated and with commentary by Thomas Cleary. Published by Shambhala in 1988 and distributed in the U.S. by Random House. This is an invaluable text, particularly as it is hard to find resources on this seminal Buddhist teacher in English.

Buddhist Faith and Sudden Enlightenment by Sung Bae Park. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1983. An interesting investigation on the dichotomy between faith and doubt in relation to Korean Zen meditation.

The Korean Buddhist Canon: A Descriptive Catalogue. Lewis, Lancaster. Berkeley: University of California, 1979. This text describes the Korean Buddhist canon, Koryo Tripitaka, which became the major basis for the Buddhist scriptures in Japan.

The Modern Remaking of Korean Buddhism: The Korean Reform Movement During Japanese Colonial Rule and Han Yongun's Buddhism (1879-1944). By Pori Park. University of California Los Angeles, 1998. This doctoral dissertation is one of the few scholarly texts describing the schism between married and celibate Korean monks in English. Gives a good overview of the history of Buddhism, and is also an invaluable source in revealing the remarkable role Manhae (Han Yongun) played in shaping modern Buddhism. Also gives a good explication of Korean Zen meditation. This was one of the texts I read in preparation for my ordination.

Nine Mountains: Dharma-Lectures of the Korean Meditation Master Ku San. This book was published in 1996 in South Korea by Bul Il Publishing Company. It might be hard to find in the United States. While I don't agree with Ku San Sunim's views on abortion, this offers a rare chance for westerners to read first hand the dharma talks of a modern Zen master. Interestingly, Sunim was the teacher for Robert Buswell.

Search for Nirvana: Korean Monks Life by Lee Kwan-jo. Seoul: South Korea, Seoul International Tourist Publishing Co, 1984. This text is hard to find, but well worth the effort. A collection of breathtaking photos which offer rare glimpses into the life of a Son monk. I bought this book before I traveled to South Korea for my own ordination. Quite simply, this is an inspiring book which offers photos of rarely seen monastic ceremonies, from the initiation ceremonies of young monks to the funeral services of revered teachers.

The Silence of Love: Twentieth-Century Korean Poetry, Translated by Peter Lee. Honolulu: the University of Hawaii, 1980). Manhae was a leading monastic reformer and political activist who fought for Korean independence from Japanese colonialism during the first half of the 20th century. His Nim ui chimmuk (The Silence of the Beloved) is a modern classic of Korean poetry.

The Zen Monastic Experience by Robert Buswell. Buswell is a leading western scholar of Korean Zen. He was also ordained as a Korean Zen monk for five years, and shares those experiences here. While I disagree with a few of his points, this is still a fine book. Buswell has written many excellent scholarly books on Korean Zen and East Asian Buddhism, including Paths to Liberation: The Marga and its Transformations in Buddhist Thought, Currents and Countercurrents: Korean Influences on the East Asian Buddhist Traditions, Tracing Back the Radiance: Chinul's Korean Way of Zen, Korean Religions in Practice, Chinese Buddhist Apocrypha: The Marga and its Transformations in Buddhist Thought, and The Formation of Ch'an Ideology in China and Korea: The Vajrasamadhi-Sutra, a Buddhist Apocryphon.

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Texts of Buddhism

The Bodhidharma Anthology: The Earliest Records of Zen by Jeffrey Broughton. This scholarly text provides translations and commentaries of the texts now attributed to Bodhidharma, who is said to be the first patriarch of Zen in China. A must read for those interested in Zen, although this text might be most useful to those who already possess a familiarity with Zen.

The Diamond Sutra: Transforming the Way We Perceive the World translated by Mu Soeng. In addition to a translation and commentary of this famous Mahayana Buddhist text, Mu Soeng describes the historical context and literary conventions of this sutra in relation to Mahayana Buddhism and Zen, and gives an introduction to early Buddhism.

Ethics of Tibet: Bodhisattva Section of Tsong-Kha-Pa's Lam Rim Chen Mo, translated by Alex Wayman from the Tibetan original, with a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Tsong-kha-pa, the great scholar and founder of the Gelugpa lineage (the largest school of Tibetan Buddhism), is presented here in this expertly translated text. This text is the first complete version in English, and offers a step-by-step explication of the path to spiritual enlightenment. This book would probably be most useful to those who are already well versed in Tibetan Buddhism.

A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life by Shantideva and translated by Stephen Batchelor. A classic Tibetan Buddhist text, written in India during the 8th century C.E. The poetry and philosophy of this text are quite moving, as it explores the practice of the bodhisattva, following the spiritual path for the sake of all beings. Like many traditional texts, this might be best enjoyed by those who have a good familiarity with Buddhism.

The Lotus Sutra translated by Burton Watson. Since its appearance in China in the third century C.E. this has become one of the most popular and influential of all Mahayana Buddhist texts. Structurally, it is not so much an integral work, but more of a collection of texts, stories and devotional reflections. This is perhaps one of the reasons it has such a broad range of appeal.

The Pali Canon. I do not recommend the Pali canon for those who are new to Buddhism. However, for those who are so inclined, there are many translations of it into English. My personal favorite is by Wisdom Publications (www.wisdompubs.org). However, so far they have only published the first three sections of the Suttas: 1. The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya by Maurice Walshe, 2. The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikaya by Bhikkhu Nanamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi and 3. The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya by Bhikkhu Bodhi. I was told awhile back by a friend of mine who is an editor at Wisdom that they have the full Anguttara under contract with Bhikkhu Bodhi, and that he has translated one volume of it - out of five - and that the full translation is still a couple of years away. I do not know what their plans are for the Khuddaka, or the rest of the Pali canon.

The full canon is translated by the Pali Text Society. I prefer Isaline Blew (I.B.) Horner to the work of Thomas and Caroline Rhys Davids (all available on ww.pariyatti.com). You may also want to consult South Asia Books (www.southasiabooks.com), though it is mostly secondary sources. While more affordable, the quality of the printing is perhaps not as good. Before approaching the Abhidhamma, I would recommend reading the Abhidhammattha Sangaha (see below under Theravada books).

The Perfection of Wisdom translated by R. C. Jamieson and published by Viking, with a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The Perfection of Wisdom, also known as the Prajnaparamita, is perhaps the most popular Mahayana Buddhist text in Asia and the west. Frequently chanted in abridged form, it contains what is referred to in theistic religions as the "theology of negation." The Perfection of Wisdom gives a moving, though complex, explication on the doctrine of shunyata (emptiness).

The Vimalakirti Sutra is one of the most popular Mahayana Buddhist scriptures in Asia, especially because it stresses the importance of lay Buddhist practice. It was originally written in Sanskrit, probably in the first century C.E. It is unique in many ways, particularly because the main protagonist is not the Historical Buddha, but Vimalakirti, a wealthy and devout layperson. Published by Columbia University Press, Burton Watson did the first and perhaps best translation into English. This version also includes notes to the translation, a glossary, a brief history of Buddhism, and an explication of the doctrine of nondualism.

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Theravada Buddhism

Abhidhammattha Sangaha: A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma, Pali Text, Translation and Explanatory Guide edited by Bhikkhu Bodhi, Seattle: Buddhist Publication Society, 1999. Anything by Bhikkhu Bodhi is excellent. This particular text is not so much recommended for those who are new to Buddhism, but it may be useful to experienced students and scholars who are looking for a thorough explication of the Abhidhamma. The Abhidhamma (in Pali literally "Special Teaching") is the third part of the Pali canon (the earliest Buddhist scriptures) and is a collection of texts on Buddhist philosophy and psychology. This text by Bhikkhu Bodhi is the main source for Thai, Burmese, and Sri Lankan (among other) monks and laity when learning the Abhidhamma. They are often required to memorize this text before they even approach the actual text, and it is a very nice, "brief" introduction to the whole of this vast system of thought. It is originally by Acariya Anuruddha. While there are other versions of this text, in my opinion this is the best.

Buddhadhamma: Natural Laws and Values for Life by Phra Prayudh Payutto and translated by Grant A. Olson. Written by the renowned Thai Theravada monk, this book is an outstanding summation and explication of Buddhist doctrine in the Pali canon (the oldest Buddhist scriptures). It gives particularly useful descriptions on the Buddhist notion of anatta (no-self) and Buddhist "faith" which is not blind belief but rather based on confidence obtained through personal experience. This text draws some sharp distinctions between Buddhism and theistic religions such as Christianity. Many Theravada monks read this before, or sometimes in place of, the Pal canon. I highly recommend it, particularly for those who are interested in approaching the Pali canon. However, readers who are new to Buddhism may find it quite complex.

In This Very Life: The Liberation Teachings of the Buddha by Sayadaw U. Pandita. This texts contains talks by the renowned Burmese master during an intensive retreat for westerners. Topics covered include sitting and walking meditation, as well as the stages of the path to enlightenment.

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Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism

Essential Tibetan Buddhism by Robert Thurman. Thurman, the renowned western scholar was also the first westerner to be ordained as a Tibetan monk. An excellent introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, includes Tibetan texts, meditation techniques, and fascinating tales from Tibetan Buddhist mythology.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Speeches, Statements, Articles, Interviews, 1987 to June 1995. Dharamsala: The Department of Information and Internal Relations, Central Tibetan Administration, 1995. An amazing collection of works by His Holiness, including peace initiatives to the Chinese government and his Nobel Prize acceptance speech.

Prisoners of Shangri-La: Tibetan Buddhism and the West by Donald Lopez is a controversial yet I believe accurate depiction of the how the west has frequently misappropriated Tibetan Buddhism and culture.

The World of Tibetan Buddhism: An Overview of its Philosophy and Practice by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, translated, edited and annotated by Geshe Thupten Jinpa. I recommend any book by His Holiness, and of course, who better to write a book on Tibetan Buddhism than the Dalai Lama.

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Zen (Japanese Zen and Chinese Ch'an)

Eloquent Zen: Daito and Early Japanese Zen by Kenneth Kraft. A remarkable scholarly exploration of how Ch'an came from China and became Zen in Japan, focusing on the life of Daito - the great Zen master who is little known in the west. Also a fascinating explication of "capping phrases" to answer koans.

The Koan: Texts and Contexts in Zen Buddhism edited by Steven Heine and Dale Wright. A useful collection of scholarly essays which examine the history of koan literature in China and Japan. Some of the themes which emerge are the importance of koans in Soto Zen, the interaction of koan writings with indigenous folklore as well as esoteric religiosity, and the function of koans to emphasize rather than reject the need for reason and language.

The Rhetoric of Immediacy: A Cultural Critique of Chan/Zen Buddhism by Bernard Faure. Perhaps the best scholarly history of Chan and Zen. A comprehensive and fascinating account of how these schools of Buddhism arose and differentiated themselves from other religions and systems of thought.

Soto Zen in Medieval Japan by William Bodiford. An excellent survey of the origins of Soto Zen. Discusses important figures in early Soto Zen including Dogen and offers insights into the practice of koans from a scholarly perspective.

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