Books on Buddhism: An Annotated Guide to Buddhist Literature for Western Readers
Introduction | General | Theravada | Tibetan | Zen
Theravada Index
- It's Easier Than You Think: The Buddhist Way to Happiness by Sylvia Boorstein
- That's Funny, You Don't Look Buddhist: On Being a Faithful Jew and a Passionate Buddhist by Sylvia Boorstein
- Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree: The Buddha's Teaching of Voidness by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu
- A Still Forest Pool: The Insight Meditation of Achaan Chah by Achaan Chah, compiled and edited by Jack Kornfield and Paul Breiter
- Insight Meditation: The Practice of Freedom by Joseph Goldstein
- Seeking the Heart of Wisdom by Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield
- Mindfulness in Plain English by Henepola Gunaratana
- In the Lap of the Buddha by Gavin Harrison
- Living Dharma: Teachings of Twelve Buddhist Masters by Jack Kornfield
- A Path with Heart: A Guide Through the Perils and Promises of Spiritual Life by Jack Kornfield
- A Gradual Awakening by Stephen Levine
- What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Sri Rahula
- A Heart as Wide as the World by Sharon Salzberg
- Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness by Sharon Salzberg
- Additional Books of Interest
Book Descriptions
- It's Easier Than You Think: The Buddhist Way to Happiness
by Sylvia Boorstein - In her own unique voice, Sylvia Boorstein, known to her students as a "Jewish grandmother bodhisattva," relates the basic teaching of Buddhism in a conversational down-to-earth style. With clear instruction and personal anecdotes she translates 2500-year old wisdom into contemporary language and illustrates it with everyday situations. A good introduction to Buddhist teachings. Boorstein is a warm, humorous, and reassuring guide along this ancient path.
Book (pbk):145 pages; HarperSanFrancisco (1997); first published in 1995
Audiocassette: Abridgment, 2 cassettes; Audio Literature (1996) - That's Funny, You Don't Look Buddhist: On Being a Faithful Jew and a Passionate Buddhist
by Sylvia Boorstein - Sylvia Boorstein, a Buddhist meditation teacher and psychotherapist, shares how her practice of meditation has led her to become a more observant Jew and a passionate Buddhist. In a humorous and matter-of-fact style, Boorstein relates how these very different spiritual paths have intertwined in her own life, each lending strength to the other, and illuminates the common ground that exists between the two. A delightful, practical, and inspirational book for readers who find they are traveling multiples paths on their own spiritual quest.
Book: 169 pages; HarperSanFrancisco (1997)
Audiocassette: Abridgment, 2 cassettes read by the author; Audio Literature (1997) - Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree: The Buddha's Teaching on Voidness
by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu - Sunnata in Pali (sunyata or shunyata in Sanskrit) is a concept central to Buddhist teaching that is often translated into English as voidness or emptiness. It is not a concept of nihilism, implying that nothing exists, but rather that everything is interconnected, everything results from cause and effects, so nothing has inherent existence. In Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree, Thai master Ajahn Buddhadasa talks about sunnata in a straightforward, conversational style. An easy-to-read introduction to a concept that is likely to be new to most Westerner readers.
Book: 150 pages; Wisdom (1994)
- A Still Forest Pool: The Insight Meditation of Achaan Chah
by Achaan Chah, compiled and edited by Jack Kornfield and Paul Breiter - This straightforward explanation of Buddhist thought and Buddhist meditation is filled with colorful stories about Achaan Chah and life as a forest monk in Thailand. His approach is clear and joyful. A good introduction to Theravada Buddhism and the practice of meditation.
Book (pbk): 192 pages; Theosophical Publishing House (1st edition 1985)
- Insight Meditation: The Practice of Freedom
by Joseph Goldstein - Joseph Goldstein, a meditation teacher for many years, describes the practice of vipassana - insight meditation - and the Buddhist path. The book grew from questions that students repeatedly ask, on subjects such as: how to practice, psychology and meditation, and taking practice in the world. The author is a kind and gentle guide who provides lessons to a contemporary audience in clear, straightforward language.
Book (pbk): 179 pages with index; Shambhala (1994); first published in 1993
- Seeking the Heart of Wisdom
by Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield - Seeking the Heart of Wisdom is written by two leading western teachers of vipassana or mindfulness meditation. Vipassana is the practice of being completely present in the moment, aware of everything that is going on outside of the mind and body as well as inside - it is a way of seeing the world just as it is. This is a step-by-step guide to a style of meditation that is practiced in many Buddhist traditions. Here it draws from the traditions of Burma and Thailand. Goldstein and Kornfield weave basic Buddhist beliefs with meditation instruction and exercises in clear, accessible language. A good introduction by two seasoned teachers.
Book (pbk): 195 pages with index; Shambhala (1987)
- Mindfulness in Plain English
by Henepola Gunaratana - Mindfulness in Plain English is just that - an introduction to vipassana, or mindfulness meditation, in plain English. The instructions are clear, the explanations straightforward, and the strategies for dealing with distractions practical. Henepola Gunaratana, a Sri Lankan monk who lives and teaches in the United States, has written a fine, straightforward introduction to vipassana.
Book (pbk): 191 pages; Wisdom (1993); first published in 1991
- In the Lap of the Buddha
by Gavin Harrison - Meditation teacher Gavin Harrison speaks to the healing powers of meditation in his book In the Lap of the Buddha. Grounded in his own struggles to come to terms with the memories of childhood sexual abuse and an HIV+ diagnosis, he talks about working with the tough aspects of life with the insight and compassion of one who has been there. He shows how to work with pain, anger, self-hatred, fear of death, and how to transform the legacy of abuse. He also speaks of love, forgiveness, compassion, and joy. With his clarity and wisdom, Harrison is a welcome companion and guide to transformation along some of life's most difficult paths.
Book: 289 pages with bibliographical references and index; Shambhala (1994)
- Living Dharma: Teachings of Twelve Buddhist Masters
by Jack Kornfield - Jack Kornfield has assembled teachings on meditation from twelve Buddhist masters of Thailand, Burma, and Laos. By illuminating different approaches and meditation techniques, the reader comes to experience the rich variety within the Theravada traditions and can choose a meditation style to pursue. Each chapter begins with a brief biographical sketch and context is provided for the teaching that follows. Living Dharma is a welcome reissue of the book originally entitled Living Buddhist Masters.
Book: 320 pages; Shambhala (1996); originally published in 1997
- A Path with Heart: A Guide Through the Perils and Promises of Spiritual Life by Jack Kornfield
- Psychologist, meditation teacher, and former Buddhist monk Jack Kornfield discusses the promises and perils of the spiritual path. Instruction is provided to the beginning, intermediate, and advanced meditator in clear, accessible language with stories and exercises sprinkled throughout. Warm and compassionate, this is a valuable book for anyone on a Buddhist spiritual path. A modern classic, this is a book to be read and reread.
Book (pbk): 352 pages; Bantam Books (1993)
Audiocassette: Abridgment, 2 cassettes (180 min.) read by the author; Sounds True (1998) - A Gradual Awakening
by Stephen Levine - A Gradual Awakening is a collection of thirty essays that introduce many aspects of vipassana meditation practice. Stephen Levine writes with clarity and wisdom in a way that is gentle and compassionate, sharing personal stories and using contemporary examples. Four guided meditations on mindfulness, lovingkindness, energy, and death are included. Levine is a pleasure to read.
Book (pbk): 173 pages with bibliographical references and index; Anchor (1989); first published in 1979
- What the Buddha Taught
by Walpola Sri Rahula - Theravada, or "The Path of the Elders," is a self-contained Buddhist path and also the foundation for Zen and Tantric teachings. Walpola Rahula, a Sri Lankan monk and scholar explains the central concepts of Buddhist thought - the Buddhist frame of mind, the Four Noble Truths, karma, anatta (the lack of a permanent, non-changing individual self), meditation, and how Buddhism applies to contemporary life. This readable work by a scholar and practitioner introduces Sanskrit and Pali terms, and provides translations from relevant ancient texts with explanations for Western readers. Photographs, an index, a glossary, and suggested further readings round out the book. First published in 1959, this in-depth work is still very relevant today.
Book (pbk): 192 pages; Grove/Atlantic (1987); first published in 1959
- A Heart as Wide as the World: Living with Mindfulness, Wisdom, and Compassion
by Sharon Salzberg - In her second book, meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg shows how to live every moment in mindfulness with compassion and wisdom - from the most joyous of times to those filled with pain. Written as a collection of short essays, the book is easy to read a few sections at a time or straight through. Her writing is filled with love, compassion, wisdom, and stories. Salzberg is a skilled teacher who shows that the heart can indeed open as wide as the world.
Book (pbk): 192 pages; Shambhala (1999); first published in 1997
Book (cloth): 192 pages; Shambhala (1997)
Audiocassette: Abridgment, 2 cassettes (170 min.) read by the author; Shambhala (1998) - Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness
by Sharon Salzberg - Sharon Salzberg is a meditation teacher and co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Massachusetts. Drawing upon her many years as a meditator and teacher, she shares the practice of metta - lovingkindness meditation. "May all be free from danger." "May all have mental happiness." "May all have physical happiness." "May all have ease of well-being." Salzberg shows how to cultivate a genuine sense of love for ourselves and love for others. She then teaches meditations on compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity - in all, the four divine states of dwelling. Clear, direct, and illustrated with personal anecdotes and exercises, Salzberg shows how to open to the transformative experience of metta.
Book (pbk): 193 pages; Shambhala (1997); first published in 1995
- Additional Books of Interest
- The Experience of Insight by Joseph Goldstein (Shambhala 1987)
- Being Nobody, Going Nowhere by Ayya Khema (Wisdom 1987)
Introduction | General | Theravada | Tibetan | Zen
Appendix 1: Overview of Buddhism | Appendix 2: How this list was created. Copyright 1999 by Jacqueline Kracker. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to copy this list for educational or personal use only.
This website was created and designed by Jacqueline Kracker. Send comments to jkracker@utk.edu.Page last updated 1 September 2000