The Best 25 Books On Buddhism

List Of The Best 25 Books On Buddhism:

#1 For All Living Beings – A Guide to Buddhist Practice by Ven. Master Hsing Yun

Venerable Master Hsing Yun is the 48th Patriarch of the Lin-Chi line of Ch’an and the founder of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order.

In “For All Living Beings,” Venerable Master Hsing Yun explains that the path to a life that is peaceful, wholesome, and filled with wisdom starts with helping others.

#2 Idiot’s Guide to Buddhism by Gary Gach

”The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Buddhism” provides extensive information on understanding both the schools and teachings of Buddhism.

It covers all 4 schools of Buddhism – Zen, Pure Land, Tibetan, and Insight Meditation.

#3 The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism: Its Fundamentals and History by Dudjom Rinpoche and Gyurme Dorje

”The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism” covers in detail and depth both the fundamental teachings and the history of Nyingma – the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

#4 The Mind and Its Functions: Explanations of a Tibetan Meditation Master by Geshe Rabten and Stephen Batchelor

Geshe Rabten (1921–1986) was a Tibetan Geshe born in Tibet in 1921. He was the founder of the Rabten Choeling Centre in Switzerland which was established in 1979. This book is a concise description of important psychology and epistemology inherent in the Madhyamaka philosophical tradition.

#5 The Four Noble Truths of Love: Buddhist Wisdom for Modern Relationships by Susan Piver

Susan Piver, meditation expert and author, is the founder of the Open Heart Project, an online community offering courses, meditation, and support. This book is not about how to find perfection and get it all right. Rather, what Susan Piver offers is a living, breathing account of real love – what it isn’t and what it is.

#6 American Buddhist Rebel: The Story of Rama – Dr. Frederick Lenz by Liz Lewinson

This book tells the story of a free-spirited, sports jock teenager who transforms into an innovative leader.

#7 No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners: Clear Answers to Burning Questions About Core Buddhist Teachings by Noah Rasheta

”No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners” is the most clear-cut introductory guide to understanding the essential concepts of Buddhism and how they relate to your day-to-day life.

#8 The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche and Eric Swanson

World-renowned Buddhist teacher Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche explains how using basic meditation practices and recognizing the unlimited potential of our own minds can help us discover paths through our problems.

#9 The Wisdom of No Escape: How to Love Yourself and Your World by Pema Chödrön

Pema Chödrön is an American Tibetan Buddhist who was the disciple of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. This book is a concise guide to making the most of life, through good times as well as bad.

#10 The Experience of Insight: A Simple and Direct Guide to Buddhist Meditation by Joseph Goldstein

This is a modern classic of practical pieces of advice for the practice of Buddhist meditation as well as how one relates with the feelings, breath, thought, consciousness, sense perceptions, and everyday activities.

#11 What Makes You Not a Buddhist by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse

Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche is a Tibetan/Bhutanese filmmaker, lama, and writer. In this book, Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche urges readers to move beyond the superficial trappings of Buddhism and straight to the heart of what the Shakyamuni Buddha taught.

READ MORE: Books on Spiritual Enlightenment

#12 Buddhism for Beginners, by Thubten Chodron

This book takes the most commonly asked questions, beginning with “What is the essence of the Buddha’s teachings?” and provides simple answers for beginners.

#13 Buddhism Without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening by Stephen Batchelor

In this simple but important volume, Batchelor reminds us that Shakyamuni Buddha was not a mystic who claimed esoteric knowledge of the universe, but a man who challenged us to understand the nature of anguish and bring into being a way of life that is available to us all.

#14 Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom by Rick Hanson

”Buddha’s Brain” joins the forces of modern science with ancient but profound teachings to show readers how to have greater emotional balance in turbulent times.

#15 Awakening the Buddha Within: Eight Steps to Enlightenment by Lama Surya Das

In this loving book, the American-born Lama Surya Das offers a nonsectarian guide to the wisdom found in ancient Tibetan teachings and a true path of spiritual transformation.

#16 The Way of the Bodhisattva: A Translation of the Bodhicharyavatara by Śāntideva

”The Way of the Bodhisattva” is a guide to generating the qualities of compassion, love, patience. and generosity, and to cultivating the mind of enlightenment.

#17 How to Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life by His Holiness the Dalai Lama

”How to Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life” will guide you toward opening your heart and maintaining mental tranquility as His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama shows you how to overcome everyday obstacles, from feelings of insecurity, anger, and counterproductive thinking.

#18 What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula

This comprehensive, lucid, compact, and faithful account of the Gautama Buddha’s teachings persistently enjoys great popularity in universities, colleges, and theological schools both in the United States and abroad.

#19 Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation by Thích Nhất Hạnh

Covering such important teachings as the Noble Eightfold Path, the Four Noble Truths, the Three Dharma Seals, the Three Doors of Liberation, and the Seven Factors of Awakening, this book is a radiant beacon on Buddhist thought for the initiated and uninitiated alike.

#20 Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

”Siddhartha” is a novel by Hermann Hesse which deals with the spiritual journey of self-discovery of a man named Siddhartha during the time of the Shakyamuni Buddha.

#21 Journey to the West by Anthony C Yu

”Journey to the West” is the remarkable tale of a 16-year pilgrimage of the monk Hsuan-tsang (596-664), who journeyed to India with 4 animal disciples in quest of Buddhist scriptures.

#22 Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen

”Buddhism Plain and Simple” offers a clear approach to Buddhism in general and awareness in particular.

#23 Words of My Perfect Teacher by Patrul Rinpoche

It is a practical guide to the spiritual practices common to all Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

#24 Bones, Stones, and Buddhist Monks by Gregory Schopen

In this book, Professor Gregory Schopen problematizes many assumptions about the lay-monastic distinction.

#25 Introduction to the History of Indian Buddhism by Eugène Burnouf

This book set the course for the academic study of Buddhism for the next hundred years.

Image credit – Shutterstock

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References

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19447.The_Words_of_My_Perfect_Teacher
https://www.dalailama.com/books