The books are listed in order of popularity and can be purchased directly from Amazon.com by following the links provided. Only aggregate anonymized information on copies of books sold is communicated back to us so any personal information supplied to Amazon is kept strictly confidential as described in Amazon's privacy policy.
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Awakening the Buddha Within : Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World
Lama Surya Das
Western readers looking for an introduction to practical Buddhism need look no further than this book. Lama Surya Das explains the philosophy and practice of Buddhism in a down to earth easy to understand manner that can't help but provide some enlightenment to those seeking it. | |
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Buddhism Plain and Simple
Steve Hagen
Written by a Zen priest and teacher this introductory book on Buddhism follows a middle path in its presentation of the philosophy and practice of Buddhism. Covers the elementary aspects of Buddhism but in a more flowery way than "Awakening the Buddha Within." | |
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Buddhism for Beginners
Thubten Chodron
This book uses a question-and-answer format for those new to Buddhism or who simply want to learn more about it. He discusses the historical Buddha and his various manifestations and describes the Buddhist path. Chodron explains that the essense of Buddhism's is to avoid harming others and help them as much as possible. He answers questions concerning such matters as the best methods of meditation and how to define karma. | |
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An Introduction to Zen Buddhism
D.T. Suzuki
Generally acknowledged as a classic introduction to the subject for many years, this book is written by one of the world's leading authorities on Zen Buddhism. This introduction to Zen Buddhism is written in a lively, accessible, and straightforward manner that is illuminating for the serious student and layperson alike. Suzuki provides a complete vision of Zen, which emphasizes self-understanding and enlightenment through many systems of philosophy, psychology, and ethics. | |
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Eight Steps to Happiness: The Buddhist Way of Loving Kindness
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
A fully accomplished meditation master and internationally renowned teacher of Buddhism, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso reveals practical methods to open the heart by meditating on eight beautiful verses that comprise one of Buddhism's best-loved and most enduring teachings. | |
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The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching
Thich Nhat Hanh
A popular teacher and writer about Buddhism, Thich Nhat Hanh provides a simple and straightforward introduction to Buddhism that mixes contemporary anecdotes with a strong command of Buddhist literature to introduce readers to both the basics and the subtleties of living Buddhism. | |
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The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Buddhist Wisdom: A Complete Introduction to the Principles and Practices of Buddhism
Gill Farrer-Halls
An illustrated overview of Buddhism with photos and illustrations that offers a clear introduction to the Tibetan, Zen, and Theravadan traditions and philosphies of Buddhism. Written in a very straight forward fashion with comparisons between Christian and Buddhist beliefs. | |
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The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times
Pema Chodron
Chodron is an American Tibetan Buddhist nun who teaches that you can overcome negative emotions and suffering by opening oneself to your vulnerabilities thus leading to loving-kindness and joy. | |
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Healing Mantras : Using Sound Affirmations for Personal Power, Creativity, and Healing
Thomas Ashley - Farrand
Written by one of the few Western experts on Hindu and Buddhist mantras, this book explains how and why mantras work and shows how to use more than fifty mantras to control habits, overcome fear, and gain health and inner peace. Has a guide to pronounciation and usage as well as real life examples of the efficacy of the mantras. | |
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Buddhism for Dummies
Jonathan Landaw and Stephan Bodian
Two leading American Buddhist teachers and scholars provide a uniquely friendly way to explore the fascinating history of Buddhism and discover its teachings. The authors use plain English to define the important terms, explain the key concepts and explore a wide range of topics in depth. | |
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One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps
Kevin Griffin
A Buddhist meditation teacher and longtime Twelve Step practitioner weaves his personal story of recovery from addiction with traditional Buddhist teachings. The book examines critical Twelve Step ideas like Powerlessness, Higher Power, and Moral Inventory through the lens of Buddhism and teaches potent ancient techniques for finding calm and clarity while offering a vision of a Higher Power not tied to traditional Western Judeo-Christian concepts. | |
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The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
Sogyal Rinpoche
Introduces the reader to the fundamentals of Tibetan Buddhism and uses this as a basis for explaining how death is not an ending but an opportunity. Covers the philosophies and practices of Buddhism and includes many fantasitic anecdotes and stories to illustrate the precepts of the book. | |
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Introduction to Buddhism: An Explanation of the Buddhist Way of Life
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, a fully accomplished meditation master and internationally renowned teacher of Buddhism, offers step-by-step guidance on meditation practices that lead to lasting inner peace and happiness. He clearly presents all Buddhas teachings in the order in which they are to be practiced, enriching his explanation with stories and illuminating analogies. | |
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The Story of Buddhism: A Concise Guide to Its History & Teachings
Donald S. Lopez Jr.
Presents the immense lore of Buddhism in a manageable package that traces its major developments up to the present, focusing not only on the essential elements common to all schools of Buddhism but also revealing the differences among the major traditions. Lopez explores general topics such as "Monastic Life," "Tantra," and "Pilgrimage," from India to Japan and talks about the origins of each topic and its mainstream manifestations. | |
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The Dhammapada
Eknath Easwaran (Translator)
One of the most loved and remembered of all Buddhist sutras. Its subject matter, succinctly, is about training the mind, which leads to kind thoughts and deeds, which bring peace and freedom from suffering. If you are interested in reading one of the gems of Buddhist literature, this is a good place to start; and if you are looking for a great version of this beloved scripture, you can't do better. | |
