Books on Buddhism

[UnTheist]

I was wondering if anyone had suggestions on any good books on the teachings of Buddhism.

Any help would be appreciated

 

[Phil Osophy]

Karen Armstrong is probably the most popular writer on religious topics in the UK. I found her book on Buddha to be very helpful as an easy and short introduction.

http://www.amazon.com/Buddha-Karen-...243103?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175335205&sr=1-12

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Pretty much anything by Thich Nhat Hanh. For me, my very first introduction to Buddhism was from this one:


http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Buddhas...4396642?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175344999&sr=8-1



Nhat Hanh has a dozen or so other books that are IMO just as worthy for beginning study.



I've also found The Vision of the Buddha by Tom Lowenstein to be an excellent comprehensive illustrated book on the history of Buddhism and it's formation into the varying schools of Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana:


http://www.amazon.com/Vision-Buddha...4396642?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175345526&sr=1-1



And, of course, I always recommend any work by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.


How To See Yourself As You Really Are
http://www.amazon.com/How-See-Yours...4396642?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175345737&sr=1-1


The Art of Happiness (I still own this, and I'm too attached to it to donate it to our dharma center's library *wink*)
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Happiness...4396642?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175345737&sr=1-3



Hope this helps. Happy reading!



Peace,
Mystic

 

[Mr. Hair]

*nods*

Good suggestions, and suggestible goodness.

I also have a few admonitions, but as they're all from the Zen aspect of things I'm not sure how useful or relevant you will find them... Ahhh well; onward, to the linkage-posting-thingie!

Zen Mind, Beginners Mind by Shunryu Suzuki
http://www.amazon.com/Zen-Mind-Begi...2530302?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175443717&sr=8-2

Dropping Ashes On The Buddha by Seung Sahn
http://www.amazon.com/Dropping-Ashe...2530302?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175443933&sr=1-1

Sayings and Tales of Zen Buddhism by William Wray
http://www.amazon.com/Sayings-Tales...2530302?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175443756&sr=8-1

 

[Engyo]

Sylvia Boorstein's "It's Easier Than You Think"

published by Harper, ISBN 0-06-251294-3 A very easy to read and understand explanation of the Buddha's first teaching. Sylvia uses stories and examples to explain the four noble truths and eight fold path.