Best Buddhist Books?

Growing up, I was (as are most young punks) half-crazy with hormones, thoughts, adrenaline, ambition and insecurity.

What got me through those days? A great mom. Some great, patient girlfriends. Basketball, and baseball, and anything that tired me out. Meditation.

And, reading the "profound, holy Dharma"--a series of Buddhist books that, better than any would-be mentor, connected with my heart and mind and experience--and fomented an inner dialogue that helped me to grow up, relax, and think about others (almost) as much as myself.

My Favorite Buddhist Books*

For someone who's active in the world, family-oriented, not-too-cynical & not-too-religious: Shambhala.

For someone who just likes to read great writing: How the Swans Came to the Lake or Crooked Cucumber.

For just about anyone anywhere anytime: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind or Wisdom of No Escape.

For scholarly types: Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism.

*for newer Dharma titles, see Shambhala Sun's recommendations here and be sure to read the comments) like Turning the Mind Into an Ally or Ruling your World (great for business types) or excellent books by Sharon Salzberg, Robert Thurman, and a certain 'simple monk.'

PS: back in the day, I used to read a page of Training the Mind--it's so practical and helpful. Finally, it fell apart and I bought another, which now sits on my office desk.

What are your favorite Dharma books, that you'd recommend for others? All traditions welcome! Thich Nhat Hanh? Zen? Insight?

 

Follow Waylon Lewis on Twitter: www.twitter.com/elephantjournal

Comments

[Nalanda Nick]

08:21 PM on 06/08/2009

Nice.
Good stuff.
Some of my faves are:

Mind Beyond Death - Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche

What Makes You Not a Buddhist - Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

It's Up To You - Dzigar Kongrtul Rinpoche

[Gwen Bell]

03:42 PM on 06/08/2009

The first & best intro I've read on the subject to date (read it in '99 so that's a decade now! Retro, baby.): The Accidental Buddhist by Dinty W. Moore: http://www.dintywmoore.com/books.htm

Unstuffy, funny, approachable & likable first-person narrative. Awesome if you're looking to "roll your own."

Thanks for asking the question, Way!
- @gwenbell

[Gary Gach]

11:13 AM on 06/07/2009

huang po's = one book john cage confessed to studying as to zen. jack kerouac was a big big fan of dwight goddard's buddhist bible. franz is modest: his own books (e.g., ) are indispensable beginner's boulders. shambhala will be bringing out all kaz tanahashi's dogen in one volume. gudo nishijima's are stricter literal translations these may be truer to the spirit? plus shasta abbey's shobogezno translations are online for free. (has anyone read chinul?)

for my own picks ... first, the first book i read: alan watts (p;ocketbook) & enjoy his talks even more ( archived, broadcast, on .mp3, etc). the next book i read was zen flesh, zen bones, ( )

2. for pure land, i recommend . i'm currently reading mr. unno's new book on shingon with great pleasure.

3. reginald ray's titles

4. (with the weed on the cover).

[Gary Gach]

11:40 AM on 06/07/2009

glitch: 4 (weed on cover) = miracle of mindfulness.

(i've never participated before and realized i'd replied in the middle, not the end, so posted a shorter one, from the last link.)

if this is easier:
here's my buddhist poetry anthology, for free (!), at books.google.com
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/waylon-lewis/best-buddhist-books_b_209838.html

and my humble guide book (also free)
http://books.google.com/books?id=arEFgUw-4b8C

[Usedtobequiet]

01:05 PM on 06/04/2009

Thanks for the recommendations, Waylon. I return again and again to Pema Chodron.

Usedtobequiet

[Norge]

04:27 PM on 06/03/2009

The best buddhist book is each persons' own self.

[Jonahson]

08:00 PM on 06/03/2009

The best Buddhist book is realization of the Dharma with one stanza of Dharma you can unfold the whole Tripitaka before you!

[Waylon Lewis]

08:45 PM on 06/06/2009

Ultimately, sure Norge. Relatively, it helps to have Dharma.

[Jonahson]

11:57 PM on 06/02/2009

There are so many Zen students and expert here may I take advantage of this opportunity to ask about Zen practice and do you fellow practioners perceive Zen.

[RevDannyFisher]

11:30 PM on 06/02/2009

Nice post, Way. Here are my thoughts:

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/06/five-great-dharma-books/

[Pema]

07:25 PM on 06/02/2009

i came back to see what others had posted. i find it wonderful to see all the different answers, very inspired with everyones posts, i look forward to reading some new books...
please keep blogging! this is wonderful.

[Franz Metcalf]

03:06 PM on 06/02/2009

I've always loved Janwillem van de Wetering's autobiographical trilogy, The Empty Mirror, A Glimpse of Nothingness, and Afterzen. There's something scorchingly honest in Jan-san and his pursuit of something larger than himself. Plus he's really funny. I've actually used the first book in teaching Buddhism in a university course, since it really brings the gritty reality of Zen to life.

Of course other folks' suggestions here are also great. Kaz Tanahashi's Dogen collections (Moon in a Dewdrop and Enlightenment Unfolds) are inexhaustible oceans of dharma.

[1sparrow]

02:38 PM on 06/02/2009

i was warned about zen by various japanese-- seems it leads to suicide. growing up in the sixties i was often convinced that nobody has any brains at all. not only could one enjoy other worlds while high-- that life alone (separate from sickness or pain) was itself a miracle. it was not until i reached age 48 that i learned of nicherin. to chant for world peace by repeating "nam myoho renge kyo" helped me lower my blood pressure.

[Waylon Lewis]

08:48 PM on 06/02/2009

Not sure it's possible to generalize like that about Zen...but glad you've lowered your blood pressure!

[gradyo]

02:30 PM on 06/02/2009

'Awakening the Buddha Within' by Lama Surya Das and anything by Thich Nhat Hanh.

[Pema]

01:20 PM on 06/02/2009

wheel of sharp weapons...

[Waylon Lewis]

12:40 PM on 06/02/2009

More from my Facebook friends:
Devon at 6:11pm June 1
can't go wrong with zen flesh, zen bones

Jim at 7:43pm June 1
Well since the photo is of Zen Mind... I agree with that one (for Zen Buddhism). Add to that: Dropping Ashes on the Buddha and The Compass of Zen by Zen Master Seung Sahn, Branching Streams Flow In The Darkness by Shunryu Suzuki, Moon in a Dewdrop - The writings of Zen Master Dogen, No Beginning, No End by Jakusho Kwong. (and on that punk note... Dharma Punx, and Hardcore Zen.)

Brian at 8:30pm June 1
Oh I totally forgot my favorite "The Zen Teachings of Huang Po" - That should be at the top of the list IMO.

Dave at 11:09pm June 1
zen flesh, zen bones

Pat at 9:00am June 2
I'm a big fan of Joko Beck: Everyday Zen: Love and Work and Nothing is Special: Living Zen. And of Zen Mind/Beginner's Mind!

Brian at 10:09am June 2
I'll 2nd Joko!

[Waylon Lewis]

08:49 PM on 06/02/2009

I continue to get comments of fave books on Twitter ( http://www.twitter.com/elephantjournal ) and on Facebook, and have given up copying and pasting 'em over. But lots of fun out of left field suggestions!

[GretaCargo]

11:04 AM on 06/02/2009

Great article, Waylon! I'm a big fan of Joko Beck: Everyday Zen: Love and Work and Nothing is Special: Living Zen.....and of Zen Mind/Beginner's Mind......

[Jonahson]

05:32 AM on 06/02/2009

The original edition of the Buddhist Bible this was my first buddhist book I read borrowed from a temple. Inside is a compendium of sutras from various sect of Buddhism. There is the Sutra spoken from the Sixth Patriach, Milerapa, Sutra of the 42 Sections, Lakavatara Sutra, Shurangama Sutra, The Diamond Sutra,The Maha Prajna Paramita Hridaya (commonly known as The Heart Sutra), The Tevigga Sutra, Dhyana for Beginners and more. The biggest surprise is the presence of Tao Teh King(simply the way of the Tao). I also read books on Forest Monks like Straight from the Heart, Still Forest Pool. One on Ajahn Mun, a number of books on Pure Land and finally on the Pali Cannon.
Here is an excerpt from the Buddhist Bible.
Every changes, everything passes,
Things appearing, things disappearing.
But when all is over - everything having appeared and disappeared,
Being and extinction both transcended.-
Still the basic emptiness and silence abides,
And that is blissful Peace.