I am looking for some quality books on Buddhism.....?

Question

I am looking for some good books to purchase to read about Buddhism. I don't have a lot of money, so I am looking for quality books that are worth reading more than once. I am open minded, but tend to gravitate towards Theravada Buddhism, believing in karma, that the Buddha was only a man that taught the way to enlightenment, and then died. I do not believe he became anything like a god or saint after he died, he just returned to the source of his beginning. I also don't care too much for Zen, zazen and koans are too abstract, and Mahayana Buddhism seems to have entered the forbidden realm of gods and spirits again. But that being said, I do have an open mind and am willing to read what comes highly recommended. Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi 'Old Man,'

I read your question with some interest as I too have been interested in Buddhism for many years. During my researches I've found many prejudices expressed about each and every type and sect of Buddhism. My Deepest Advice is to ignore every one of these prejudicial statements.

I have found great wisdom in the Theravada, the Ancient Schools that no longer exist as well as in Tibetan Buddhism, Zen and the far eastern forms of Nichiren, Shin and Pure Land Buddhism. Each of these forms is a petal on an infinite flower of wisdoms. Being individuals, we take what we like and leave the rest to provide beauty for other seekers.

If you like the Theravada, that is fine. I do advise you to explore the Theravada, however, because you do like it - NOT because you dislike the other schools. Having such thoughts merely breeds discontent and builds up masses of opinions that get in the way of seeing how wonderfully layered are all of the Teachings of all of the Schools.

One thing I will point out is that your reference to the Mahayana is inaccurate in that it has not 'entered the forbidden realm of gods and spirits. Mahayana Buddhism is much more about positing a precise description of ignorance as well as a union of wisdom and method by which such ignorance can be conquered. It also holds the most remarkable collection of works on Logic and Epistemology that helps the practitioner figure out what can be known and how we can know it.

Theravada is similar in some ways as it also deals with curing ignorance. The methodology and philosophy underlying the Theravada is somewhat different from the Mahayana Schools. Please note that the often-used term for the Theravada as a 'Hinayana School' is not accurate despite its continual usage (See Reginald Ray's excellent book on Tibetan Buddhism, 'Indestructible Truth' and Walpola Rahula's text 'What the Buddha Taught' for more information on an accurate view of the Theravada.

Generally speaking, the Buddha taught four tenet systems, two Hinayana Systems and two Mahayana Systems for the benefit of followers. These Four Systems are The two Hinayana systems are the Vaibashika (the Great Exposition School) and the Sautrantika (the Sutra Following School) while the Mahayana Systems are the Cittamatra (Mind Only) and Madhyamaka (Middle Way).

None of these four Tenet Systems survives today as a formal school. The tenets of these systems show up, however, scattered among the many schools that are extant in today's diverse gathering of Buddhist Schools.

In addition to the Books above, I recommend several to give an overview of what Buddhist Practice is,

John Snelling's 'The Buddhist Handbook' is superb as it covers many of the schools with just enough detail to entice the imagination. (There are two Snelling Books. You want the bigger one)

Peter Harvey's 'Introduction to Buddhism' (Cambridge Press) is also excellent.

Reginald Ray's 'Indestructible Truth' is perhaps the best introduction to Tibetan Buddhism as a whole.

Sogyal Rinpoche's 'Tibetan Book of Living and Dying' is a masterpiece as an introduction to the inner world of Tibetan Buddhism.

Walpola Rahula's 'What the Buddha Taught' is a classic.

AccesstoInsight.org is a fabulous web resource by John Bullitt. He includes many texts from the Theravada as well as essays from prominent teachers of the Theravada today.

Any of the books by Maseo Abe or D. T. Suzuki are a good introduction to Zen. It is a misconception that Zen is all 'mind games.' Zen is awash with scholarship, history, competing paradigms and masses of opinion.

Wikipedia's page, Basic Points Unifying the Theravada and the Mahayana -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_Points_Unifying_the_Theravada_and_the_Mahayana
, is a good place for you to start.

I do wish you well in your search. Feel free to contact me thru Yahoo if I can be of any further assistance.

Namaste and Shanti,

GhanaBhuti (or GhanaBhutii)

Answer 2

Here's my favorite Buddhist website that's not Zen. It's "Big Vehicle" all the way, where the vehicle to Enlightenment is big enough to carry everyone who cares to go, not "Litle Vehicle" which only carries the teachers. No godlings there. There is a lot of quality information on Buddhism for everyone from those wanting to learn more about it to those who have been practicing it for years. Best of all, it's free.
http://www.buddhanet.net/

Books? I'm Zen, so that's what my books are. Even though it's Zen, you might find Brad Warner's "Hardcore Zen" interesting, but not necessarily what you're looking for so it's probably not worth your cash. Zazen is literally translated as sitting meditation, (Zen means meditation) which is what all Buddhism does. Koans are definitely abstract, though.


Edit:

I'm glad you asked this question. I'm putting a few books on my to buy list now. Thank you!

Answer 3

I too like Stephen Batchelor's book. And while from a Zen tradition I also like Thich Nhat Han's books. No koans in sight!

'Present Moment Wonderful Moment' is a book of verses to help you focus on the activities of daily living.

'And The Miracle of Mindfulness' made me realise that Buddhism was not all about 'suffering' but could be life affirming and joyous.

The links below allow you to 'browse' a little. Or try a library if you can?

Namaste.
.

Answer 4

Ordinary Enlightenment: A Translation of the Vimalakirti Nirdesa
"Publisher Comments: Composed in about the second century, this treasured Buddhist text tells the story of Vimalakirti, a layman who lives an ordinary, worldly life while following the path of a bodhisattva — one who forgoes his or her own enlightenment to help others. The text offers guidance and inspiration for all those on the Buddhist path who strive for spiritual awakening outside the context of the monastery, in the secular world of work, family, and daily living. This highly readable translation was originally published by Shambhala in 1972 and again in 1990 under the title The Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra."

http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=2-1570629714-0

Answer 5

Living Dharma by Jack Kornfield. Forest Recollections(can't remember author) its about Theravada forest monks in 18th? century Thailand. i have over 100 books on Buddhism and meditation and those are two of my favorites./maybe find used on amazon and have seen Living Dharma in used book stores./also,site below you can read good biographies of Theravada monks and etc. i download and print alot from it./ also,tho my interest is mainly insight meditation i have an interest in the non dual schools of both Hinduism and Buddhism and if you wanted to cut thru alot of the faulty thought that you have i recommend How to See Yourself As You Really Are by H.H.the Dalai Lama. (a book you could and should read many many times)

Answer 6

Buddhism without Belief, by Stephen Batchelor.

Answer 7

Hi. I strongly recommend the book is named " The Buddha In Your Mirror " (Middleway Press).
I've been practicing Nichiren Buddhism.
Millions people has been practicing around the world. ( 190 countries )
This teaching really make sense to me.
It is not just a theory. We can apply this Buddhist practice to our day-to-day realities.
Please check these website too.
I'm hoping this book will help you to find what are you looking for.

Answer 8

some brief stories here

http://www.11meditation.co.nr

they all about Theravada Buddhist in Thailand. There is no deep detail but it will give you a big picture of this religion.

hope it helps

Answer 9

I'd agree with your first answer. Mr. Batchelor's book is outstanding. Follow the path, not the dogma.

Answer 10

Hi Old Man
I read SouthfortheWinter's response to your question and I tend to agree with the bulk of it as it pertains to the Mahayana but I feel I can expound on that a little bit, and not to detract from any of the other reponses.
The person who recognizes suffering through analysis and reasoning is said to be a "small scope" practitioner. They seek to avoid suffering in this life and to abandon the causes for rebirth into the lower realms of hell beings, hungry ghosts, and animals. The foundation in ethics, refuge, and the Four Noble Truths are included in "the teachings shared in common with beings of small capacity."
The medium scope practitioner not only realizes the downfalls of the lower realms, but upon further analysis recognizes that suffering pervades all six realms of cyclic existence - hell realms, hungry ghost realms, animal realms, human realms, demigod realms and god realms. Seeking to "definitely get out" of cyclic existence, the medium scope practitioner seeks liberation, or nirvana, for him or herself alone, thus the scope of his or her practice is "Lesser" than the scope of the Great Scope practitioner; because the focus of his practice is him or herself. This being upon achieving liberation from the six realms of cyclic existence is called an Arhat. They have removed the afflictive obstructions from their continuum, but their are stains of the afflictive obstructions that can not be removed through "the practices shared in common with beings of medium capacity, or hinayanists" alone. These teachings include the Prajnaparamita Sutra, the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination, the wisdom realizing the nature of reality, as well as the three higher trainings of ethics, concentration and wisdom; calm abiding and special insight, etc. So all of the teachings shared in common with beings of small capacity and teachings shared in common with beings of medium capacity are foundational to the understanding of teachings for the beings of great capacity, or Great Vehicle, or Mahayanists. It is said to be Great because it takes as its object of observation "other beings" who like oneslef are locked in the six realms of cyclic existence because of the Three Poisons. The door to the Mahayana is the supreme jewel bodhicitta. Without bodhicitta the final goal of Buddhahood is not possible. Any Tantra practices are not possible without bodhicitta. Likewise, without the wisdom realizing emptiness the final goal is not possible. Just like a great goose needs two wings to fly over the great ocean, the practitioner needs method (bodhicitta) and wisdom (the wisdom realizing emptiness) to fly over the ocean of cyclic existence to the other shore of complete enlightenment. Bodhicitta is a result and it doesn't happen without a cause. There are two lineages of instruction that have been passed down pertaining to the generation of bodhicitta. One is the Seven Point Cause and Effect and the practice of Equalizing and Exchanging Self with Others. The first comes from Noble Asanga (the Cittamatrin school) and Noble Asanga (the Madhyamika school.) These tenet systems are alive and well. And so are the Sautrantika and Vaibhesika schools. Anyway, they exist as a means of pointing the way to reason. I myself can make no claim in understanding any of these topics but I have heard a little about them and felt I could add something to your search. If you wish to continue, I highly recommend you don't buy a single book. There is more than enough information available through the computer to get you underway. Check out LamaYesheWisdomArchive.com, ThubtenChodron.com, BerzinArchives.com for authentic Mahayana teachings. Please note that the Mahayana does not ignore any of the teachings of the other vehicles - they are concomitant.