Books on Buddhism: An Annotated Guide to Buddhist Literature for Western Readers - Tibetan

Books on Buddhism: An Annotated Guide to Buddhist Literature for Western Readers

Introduction | General | Theravada | Tibetan | Zen

Appendix 1: Overview of Buddhism | Appendix 2: How this list was created.

Tibetan Index



Book Descriptions

When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times
by Pema Chodron

Pema Chodron, an American Buddhist nun, author, and teacher, shares ways to come into full contact with life when life is difficult, and how to use these times as opportunities to learn and grow. She shows how to face fear and pain with a compassionate, open heart and in doing so, both the suffering and the relationship to suffering can transform. Chodron is a student of the late Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and is currently abbot of Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia. Her style is warm, compassionate, and wise - like a good friend.

Book (cloth): 148 pages with bibliographical references; Shambhala (1997)
Audiocassette: Abridgment, 2 cassettes (180 min.); Shambhala (1997)

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Awakening the Buddha Within: Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World
by Surya Das

Lama Surya Das is an American who has lived and studied for nearly thirty years with some of the greatest masters of Tibetan Buddhism. He now lives in the United States, teaching and writing. Awakening the Buddha Within describes the Tibetan Buddhist path in contemporary language using modern examples in an appealing, easy-to-read style. Surya Das weaves his own life story throughout the text, sharing personal anecdotes, and provides ample instruction and exercises. A Long Island native, he understands Eastern teachings and the Western mind and offers a bridge between the two.

Book (pbk): 414 pages with bibliographical references and index; Broadway (1998); first published in 1997
Book (cloth): 414 pages with bibliographical references and index; Broadway (1998); first published in 1997
Audiocassette: Abridgment, 2 cassettes (180 min.), read by the author; Bantam Doubleday Dell (1997)

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My Journey to Lhasa
by Alexandra David-Neel

In the early 1900s, Lhasa - Tibet's forbidden city and location of the Potala, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama - was closed to foreigners, and most emphatically closed to foreign women. Yet Alexandra David-Neel, at the age of fifty-five, undertook a strenuous and dangerous journey to reach Lhasa disguised as a Tibetan holy pilgrim. She became the first foreign woman to enter the city and visit the Potala palace after several women had tried and failed. A keen observer and writer, as well as an adventurer, David-Neel shares her observations from the perspectives of both an insider to the practice of Tibetan Buddhism, and as an outsider - a foreign woman. A detailed glimpse, complete with photographs, into the life and spirit of Tibet, it's people, and Tibetan Buddhism before the destruction of the Chinese occupation. A fantastic journey by a rare and remarkable woman.

Book (pbk): 310 pages with bibliographical references and photographs; Beacon (1993); first published in 1927

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Freedom in Exile: The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama
by Tenzin Gyatso, Dalai Lama XIV

Freedom in Exile chronicles the life through 1989 of the 14th Dalai Lama - spiritual leader, Tibetan political leader in exile, and winner of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize. He begins with his early childhood in Tibet, talks of the process by which he was discovered as the reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama, and shares the experience of his early monastic training. Circumstances forced him to assume power as head of state at only fifteen years of age. The reader sees first hand the attempts at negotiation with the invading Chinese, his eventual flight to freedom across the treacherous Himalayas, and the making of a government in exile. The charm, modesty, and compassion that have endeared the Dalai Lama to so many around the world come through in his writing.

Book (pbk): 288 pages with photographs; HarperPerennial (1991); first published in 1990

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Kindness, Clarity, and Insight
by Tenzin Gyatso, Dalai Lama XIV

In Kindness, Clarity, and Insight, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama addresses many aspects of contemporary Tibetan Buddhism, including: basic Buddhist teachings, meditation, religious values and human society, compassion and global politics, and Tibetan views on death. Buddhist scholar and author Jeffrey Hopkins has translated twenty lectures and talks given by the Dalai Lama during his visits to North America in 1979, 1980, and 1981. The Dalai Lama and Hopkins bring Eastern concepts into easy reach for Western readers. A good introduction to Buddhist religion and philosophy in contemporary society.

Book: 232 pages with photographs; Snow Lion (1988); first published in 1984

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A Journey in Ladakh
by Andrew Harvey

Ladakh, a part of northern India, was once an ancient Tibetan kingdom. Here among the high mountains of the Himalayas, in an area that is cut off by snow for six months each year, Tibetan Buddhism is still practiced in remote monasteries as it was many centuries ago. Writer and poet Andrew Harvey takes the reader along on a journey through this beautiful land pursuing a spiritual quest that culminates in meetings with Thuskey Rinpoche - "he who shines like the sun" - a religious leader of great warmth, humor, and insight. The people Harvey meets along the way and the conversations they share are brought to life by the hand and heart of this capable author. A great spiritual adventure.

Book (pbk): 236 pages with map; Houghton Mifflin (1984); first published in 1983
Audiocassette: Abridgment, 2 cassettes (160 min.) read by the author; Audio Literature (1997)

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The Book of Tibetan Elders: Life Stories and Wisdom from the Great Spiritual Masters of Tibet
by Sandy Johnson

Once living in relative isolation in Tibet, the spiritual elders of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition are now scattered across the globe following the Chinese invasion of Tibet. Sandy Johnson has captured some of the wisdom of this ancient tradition in a collection of interviews with lamas, scholars, nuns, oracles, and astrologers. She also speaks with a stone carver who carves mantras into rocks and places them in rivers, thus blessing the water and everything the water touches. Each chapter is a delightful story told in the words of the elder. Throughout, Johnson weaves the tale of her own transformation as she encounters these great spiritual masters. An engaging book.

Book (pbk): 282 pages; Riverhead (1997); first published in 1996
Book (cloth): 282 pages; Riverhead (1996)

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Cave in the Snow: Tenzin Palmo's Quest for Enlightenment
by Vicki Mackenzie

Cave in the Snow is the tale of a Western woman who at the age of 20 began a spiritual journey that would lead her in time to spend 12 years in meditation in a small cave isolated high in the Himalayas. It speaks of the discrimination she faced as a woman with serious spiritual aspirations, of the hardships she endured, and of the rewards of her commitment and practice. In 1988, Tenzin Palmo's retreat abruptly ended and now she works to help other women along the spiritual path. This book is a fascinating story about a remarkable woman.

Book (cloth): 210 pages with bibliographical references; Bloomsbury (1998)

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How to Meditate: A Practical Guide
by Kathleen McDonald

How to Meditate is a practical introduction to Tibetan Buddhist meditation practice. Beginning with the questions "what is meditation?" and "why meditate?" Kathleen McDonald, a Western Buddhist nun and meditation teacher, leads beginners through the basics of posture, what to do with the mind, common distractions, and how to deal with distractions. She then describes analytic meditation, such as contemplation of impermanence, and Tibetan visualization meditations and devotional practices. Straightforward and clearly written, the book includes a glossary, suggested readings, and a section of prayers in Tibetan that are rendered phonetically. An excellent guide for those interested Tibetan meditation practice.

Book: 222 pages with bibliographical references, glossary, and index; Wisdom (1988); first published in 1984

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Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism
by John Powers

Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism explores in depth the history, philosophy, and doctrines of Tibetan Buddhism in general, then address each of the four major schools individually. A chapter is included on the indigenous religion Bon that inspired much of the color and flavor unique to Tibetan Buddhism. This is a thorough, well-written, yet accessible work by scholar and author John Powers. The book includes a dictionary-style glossary, an English-Tibetan-Sanskrit glossary, a lengthy bibliography, and several indexes. A well-documented book for anyone interested in learning the rich details of Tibetan Buddhism.

Book (pbk): 501 pages with bibliographical references, indexes, and glossaries; Snow Lion (1995)

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The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
by Sogyal Rinpoche

Sogyal Rinpoche, a Tibetan Buddhist teacher who has lived and taught in the West for nearly thirty years, has taken the essence of The Tibetan Book of the Dead and transformed the teachings into a contemporary manual on the stages of life and death from the Tibetan Buddhist perspective. He speaks about how to live the Tibetan spiritual path, the process of dying, how to work with the dying, and the Tibetan topology of life, death, and rebirth. The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying provides clear, accessible teachings, exercises and practices, four appendixes, chapter notes, and a bibliography. A well-crafted book destined to become a classic that teaches as much about life as it teaches about death.

Book (pbk): 425 pages with bibliographical references and index; HarperSanFrancisco (1994); first published in 1992
Book (cloth): 425 pages with bibliographical references and index; HarperSanFrancisco (1992)
Audiocassette: Abridgment, 4 cassettes (360 min.); Audio Literature (1993)

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Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism
by Chogyam Trungpa

Chogyam Trungpa, trained in the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions, was a leading figure in introducing Tibetan Buddhism in America. Many of his students from the early 1970s are now teachers in their own right. Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism is taken from talks given in 1970 and 1971. Trungpa examines common pitfalls along the spiritual path. He explains how practitioners can believe they are developing spiritually, when in fact they are strengthening their egos using spiritual practices. He then goes on to discuss the true spiritual path. Essays are often followed by questions and answers and the chapters are arranged in a well-organized sequence. Written in a conversational, easy-to-read style, this is a good introduction to Trungpa's work and a topic of importance for those who tread a spiritual path.

Book (pbk): 250 pages with index; Shambhala (1987); first published in 1973

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Essential Tibetan Buddhism
by Robert Thurman

Robert Thurman, a former American Buddhist monk, teacher, and well-respected Buddhist scholar, has assembled an anthology of key teachings from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. He begins with an explanation of Buddhism, the historical development of Tibetan Buddhism, and outlines the beliefs unique to Tibetan Buddhism. This tradition possesses a wealth of literature and Thurman presents what he calls "the quintessence" - the essence of the essence. The book is carefully arranged in chapters that flow from basic to advanced teachings with a healthy collection of notes on each chapter. Unfortunately, a much-needed index is lacking. Thurman once again demonstrates his fine teaching skills in this intermediate/advanced level book.

Book (pbk): 317 pages with bibliographical references; HarperSanFrancisco (1996); first published in 1995
Book (cloth): 317 pages with bibliographical references; HarperSanFrancisco (1995)

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The Tibetan Book of the Dead
by Robert Thurman, translator

This is a new translation of Bardo Thodol by one of America's most prominent Tibetan scholars. It was first called The Tibetan Book of the Dead in a early translation by W. H. Y. Evans-Wentz. Intended to be read to the recently deceased, to help guide them through the trials and transformations of the afterlife, it also illuminates the process of death and dying from a Tibetan Buddhist viewpoint. An accessible, contemporary translation with generous commentary.

Book (pbk): 278 pages with bibliographical references and illustrations; Bantam (1994)

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Introduction to Tantra
by Lama Yeshe

Lama Yeshe was an influential teacher of Western students, first in Nepal and later throughout the world. Tantra is a system of practice that can lead to rapid spiritual growth and transformation, but it is a practice that is often misunderstood. In clear and simple language and with a firm grasp of the Western mind, Lama Yeshe introduces the distilled essence of Tantric Buddhism, clearing away misconceptions in the process. A fine introduction to the path of Tantra. The book includes a glossary and a list of additional readings.

Book (pbk): 173 pages with bibliographical references; Wisdom (1987)

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Additional Books of Interest
  • The Way to Freedom by Tenzin Gyatso, Dalai Lama XIV (HarperSanFrancisco 1994)
  • Dzogchen: The Self-Perfected State by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu (Snow Lion 1996)
  • Circling the Sacred Mountain: A Spiritual Adventure through the Himalayas by Robert Thurman and Tad Wise (Bantam 1999)
  • Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior by Chogyam Trungpa (Shambhala 1995)

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Introduction | 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