Seth Ananda

Favourite Buddhist Books

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All the Sutras are my favourite :D

My favourite books are:

Sukhavati, Western Paradise, Going To Heaven As Taught By The Buddha: Wong Kiew Kit

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B105P12

 

 

 

The Dharani Sutra By Dr Wilson Yong

http://www.taoistsecret.com/dharanisutrabk.html

I love this book because it reveals the 42 hands as taught by the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. Nothing missing/hidden unlike the public translations you find these days. Covers the translation from the Chinese source then covers a translation from a Tibetan source, that's when all the missing pieces come together.

Really fun read, has extras such as stories of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and many rituals covering spiritual cultivation and mundane needs.

Edited by White Wolf

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Perfect Wisdom: The Short Prajnaparamita Texts trans. by Edward Conze

 

The Perfection of Wisdom In Eight Thousand Lines & Its Verse Summary trans. by Edward Conze

 

Diamond Sutra Explained by Nan Huai-Chin

 

Sutra of the Past Vows of Earth Store Bodhisattva trans. by Buddhist Text Translation Society

 

The Scripture on the Explication of Underlying Meaning [Samdhinirmochana Sutra] trans. by Numata Center for Buddhist Translation

 

Expository Commentary on the Vimalakirti Sutra by Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai

 

A Comprehensive Commentary on the Heart Sutra by Numata Center for Buddhist Translation

 

Zen's Chinese Heritage: The Masters and their Teachings by Andy Ferguson

 

The Record of Linji [2009 edition] trans. by Ruth Fuller Sasaki

 

The Sayings of Layman Pang: A Zen Classic of China trans. by James Green

 

Treasury of the True Dharma Eye: Zen Master Dogen's Shobo Genzo trans. by Kazuaki Tanahashi

 

Secrets of the Blue Cliff Record: Zen Comments by Hakuin and Tenkei trans. by Thomas Cleary

 

The Gateless Gate: All 48 koans with commentary by Ekai, called Mumon

 

The Weaving of Mantra: Kukai and the Construction of Esoteric Buddhist Discourse by Ryuichi Abe

 

Shingon Texts trans. by Numata Center for Buddhist Translation

 

Tantric Buddhism in East Asia by Richard K. Payne

 

Basic Buddhism: Exploring Buddhism and Zen by Nan Huai-Chin

 

An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices by Peter Harvey

 

What The Buddha Taught: Revised and Expanded Edition with Texts from Suttas and Dhammapada by Walpola Rahula

 

The Way to Buddhahood: Instructions from a Modern Chinese Master by Venerable Yin-shun

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' In the Buddha's Words'

The Bhikkhu Bodhi anthology.

It's nice to dip in to.

Edited by GrandmasterP

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...

I read lots of interesting books on the various schools and vehicles of buddhism.

 

These were the start.

 

What The Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula.

 

The Dhammapada.

...

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I like biographies and travel tales of people who know something about Buddhism too.

Chadwick's 'Crooked Cucumber' is good on S Suzuki Zen in the USA and his ' Thank you and OK' is about his time spent in Japan studying Zen.

Gives a good insight into how Zen 'happens' in Japan and it is pretty funny in parts too.

Edited by GrandmasterP

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Dhammapada pdf trans Acharya Buddharakkita. http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/scrndhamma.pdf

 

Nice two in one - the Platform Sutra with Hui-neng's Diamond Sutra commentary. http://www.amazon.com/The-Sutra-Hui-Neng-Shambhala-Editions/dp/1570623481

 

An excellent guide to shamatha. http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Attention-Revolution-Unlocking-Focused/dp/0861712765

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" The Method of No Method. The Chan Practice of Silent Illumination."

By Sheng Yen.

 

A short book but full of useful tips and helpful information.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Method-No-method-Practice-Illumination/dp/1590305752/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397391141&sr=8-1&keywords=The+method+of+no+method

Edited by GrandmasterP
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Zongmi On Chan translated by Jeffrey Lyle Broughton

 

Tracing Back The Radiance: Chinul's Korean Way of Zen translated by Robert E. Buswell

 

The Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment: Korean Buddhism's Guide to Meditation translated by A. Charles Muller

 

A Buddha From Korea: The Zen Teachings Of T'aego translated by J.C. Cleary

 

Currents And Countercurrents: Korean Influences on the East Asian Buddhist Traditions by Robert E. Buswell

 

Domesticating the Dharma: Buddhist Cults and the Hwaom Synthesis in Silla Korea by Richard D. McBride

 

An Annotated Translation of Kukai's Secret Key to the Heart Sutra translated by Thomas Eijo Dreitlein: http://www.koyasan-u.ac.jp/mikkyobunka/blog/documents/kiyo24/24_thomas.pdf

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The Story of Chinese Zen by Nan Huai-Chin trans. by Thomas Cleary: http://terebess.hu/zen/mesterek/The%20story%20of%20Chinese%20Zen.pdf

 

The Koan: Texts and Contexts in Zen Buddhism by Steven Heine & Dale S. Wright: http://terebess.hu/zen/TheKoan.pdf

 

The Zen Canon: Understanding the Classic Texts by Steven Heine & Dale S. Wright: http://terebess.hu/zen/ZenCanon.pdf

 

Zen Classics: Formative Texts in the History of Zen Buddhism by Steven Heine & Dale S. Wright: http://terebess.hu/zen/ZenClassics.pdf

 

Zen Ritual: Studies of Zen Buddhist Theory in Practice by Steven Heine & Dale S. Wright: http://terebess.hu/zen/ZenRitual.pdf

 

Zen Masters by Steven Heine & Dale S. Wright: http://terebess.hu/zen/ZenMasters.pdf

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In no particular order:

 

"Food for the Heart" by Ajahn Chah. His teachings are so profound yet so easy to understand.

 

"Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness" by Bhante Gunaratana. I did have have the pleasure of attending a meditation retreat and series of teachings he gave.

 

"The Art of Happiness" by The Dalai Lama.

 

" The Majjhima Nikaya" The translation by Bhikku Nanamoli and Bikkhu Bodhi

 

and " The Lotus Sutra" just because it was fun to read B)

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The Story of Chinese Zen by Nan Huai-Chin trans. by Thomas Cleary: http://terebess.hu/zen/mesterek/The%20story%20of%20Chinese%20Zen.pdf

 

The Koan: Texts and Contexts in Zen Buddhism by Steven Heine & Dale S. Wright: http://terebess.hu/zen/TheKoan.pdf

 

The Zen Canon: Understanding the Classic Texts by Steven Heine & Dale S. Wright: http://terebess.hu/zen/ZenCanon.pdf

 

Zen Classics: Formative Texts in the History of Zen Buddhism by Steven Heine & Dale S. Wright: http://terebess.hu/zen/ZenClassics.pdf

 

Zen Ritual: Studies of Zen Buddhist Theory in Practice by Steven Heine & Dale S. Wright: http://terebess.hu/zen/ZenRitual.pdf

 

Zen Masters by Steven Heine & Dale S. Wright: http://terebess.hu/zen/ZenMasters.pdf

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise,

without the prior permission of Oxford University Press.

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I am looking to understand the foundational components of what the buddha taught - no sectarian stuff or practices per say, but just what are the theoretical foundations of his teachings. I recall a book title what the buddha taught or what the buddha said - I thought it was by an academic, but I can only find one online by a monk.

I am trying to better understand psychology through the lens of buddha's understanding of being human. Would appreciate if anyone could point me in the right direction in terms of books. I am not interested in hagiographies, waxing poetry, or the like. Gimme the goods :P

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I'd recommend starting with Therevada - 'measureless mind' is a good resource and 'access to insight' has many articles and books.

 

You said you wanted theory, not practice, but you will get an excellent theoretical understanding from 'Satipatthana - The Direct Path to Realisation' by Ven. Analayo. It's fairly psychological, especially later on.

 

From there you can understand Mahayana theory. Here's a good article to start with for understanding emptiness, then you can read other stuff. 'The Sun of Wisdom' would probably be excellent for understanding this, though I've only read extracts myself.

 

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche's uttaratantra commentary will give you a good understanding of Buddha-nature, without reifying it which is important to get.

 

I haven't read many Vajrayana books, but 'Stilling the Mind' by Alan Wallace is great.

 

 

Aside from that, I think the 'Lessons in Buddhism' thread in my PPF should be a decent primer. ;)

Edited by Seeker of Wisdom

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Destructive Emotions: How Can We Overcome Them? -- A Scientific Dialogue with the Dalai Lama

(Narrated by Daniel Goleman)

http://www.amazon.com/Destructive-Emotions-Scientific-Dialogue-Dalai/dp/0553381059

 

 

Genuine Happiness: Meditation as the Path to Fulfillment -- B. Alan Wallace

http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Happiness-Meditation-Path-Fulfillment/dp/047146984X

 

 

Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill -- Matthieu Ricard

http://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Guide-Developing-Lifes-Important/dp/0316167258/ref=pd_rhf_dp_s_cp_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1EQF89EPTJR8K4AMAHS9

 

 

 

 

The above books should go some way to help in your research.

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I am looking to understand the foundational components of what the buddha taught - no sectarian stuff or practices per say, but just what are the theoretical foundations of his teachings. I recall a book title what the buddha taught or what the buddha said - I thought it was by an academic, but I can only find one online by a monk.

 

I am trying to better understand psychology through the lens of buddha's understanding of being human. Would appreciate if anyone could point me in the right direction in terms of books. I am not interested in hagiographies, waxing poetry, or the like. Gimme the goods :P

 

Siddhartha taught Love.

 

Start with Rumi and Kabir.

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I am looking to understand the foundational components of what the buddha taught - no sectarian stuff or practices per say, but just what are the theoretical foundations of his teachings. I recall a book title what the buddha taught or what the buddha said - I thought it was by an academic, but I can only find one online by a monk.

I am trying to better understand psychology through the lens of buddha's understanding of being human. Would appreciate if anyone could point me in the right direction in terms of books. I am not interested in hagiographies, waxing poetry, or the like. Gimme the goods :P

There ya go....

http://www.drambedkar.org.uk/Books/16634512-Buddha-and-His-Dhamma-by-B-R-Ambedkar-Full.pdf

 

Free book says it all in simple terms.

Plus this 5-Minute Buddhist from the excellent Tricycle Magazine...

http://www.tricycle.com/sites/default/files/images/blog/Page%20of%205-Minute-Buddhist.pdf

Edited by GrandmasterP

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I am looking to understand the foundational components of what the buddha taught - no sectarian stuff or practices per say, but just what are the theoretical foundations of his teachings. I recall a book title what the buddha taught or what the buddha said - I thought it was by an academic, but I can only find one online by a monk.

 

I am trying to better understand psychology through the lens of buddha's understanding of being human. Would appreciate if anyone could point me in the right direction in terms of books. I am not interested in hagiographies, waxing poetry, or the like. Gimme the goods :P

 

Trying to find "what the buddha taught" and avoid "sectarian stuff" is no easy feat. Already there is division when you try to figure out "what the buddha taught."

 

I would highly recommend just about anything by the Dalai Lama.

He has a way of explaining things very clearly and always begins with the foundations of the Mahayana approach and builds from there.

A few of my favorites -

Essence of the Heart Sutra

The Middle Way

Mind in Comfort and Ease

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