The list below reflects a mix of basic knowledge material, well known books and best-sellers, and of course, some personal choices. I would encourage you to go through the list without any preconceptions and take the suggestions according to your needs.
Fundamental Books of Buddhism
Unlike many other religions, Buddhism doesn’t have only one holy book with all the teachings, commandment and guidance. Buddha didn’t leave any writings and most of what can be found are the writings of his followers.
- The Dhammapada
The Dhammapada is part of the Tripitaka, a sum of Buddha’s teachings that were written down after his death and fitted inside three ‘baskets’ according to its use.
It is believed that the Dhammapada was written by Ananda, Buddha´s most faithful disciple. It is a book of verses, divided into 26 chapters with teachings that should not only apply to Buddhists, but also to everyone else.
Finding the right translation is the key to making this book an interesting tool for life. Reading it over and over again, you will absorb its multiple orientations.
- The Tibetan book of living and dying
This book by Sogyal Rinpoche is considered the reason behind the rise of Tibetan Buddhism. It brings its core teachings and lays them down in such a soft way that it is difficult to resist. And who says we want to?
It goes into important concepts, such as impermanence, Karma and compassion. It explains our current concept of death and how it impacts on that process, removing it from its natural aspect.
This great book embraces the core buddhistic teachings and explains how they are reread through Tibetan eyes.
It is not a product of ancient Buddhists, but brings forth their teachings in a very respectful way to their essence. Thus, it can can be seen as compiling the core concepts one needs to understand Buddhism.
- The Tibetan book of death
Widely known as the Bardo Thodol. It was highly appreciated by Carl Jung, who also linked it to psychological applications.
The book considers a lot of information, some of which is scientific. It is known that a lot of its content was lost in translations, but still the book is an incredible perspective of the moment of death, rebirth and what happens in between.
The Bardo Thodol talks about the days following death until rebirth, it gives scientific explanations, of course limited to what was known at the time it was written.
It also describes the kinds of feelings and sensations one experiences in this transition process and how they are affected by our level of development. It does not focus on the ones that remain. But it teaches all of us how to prepare for the next level.
I consider it the best source for understanding the concept of reincarnation for those trying to dig deeper about a very complex subject.
Recent Classics of Buddhist Literature
- The art of living
Thich Nhat Hanh is the author of this amazing book. I must confess I love the simple way he speaks to his readers and the concepts that he brings to our understanding are very comforting.
He explains what is Inter-being (interconnectedness) and the many bodies we have. And I really loved learning about the “continuation body”. It is uplifting and inspiring.
Through the book you will find many exercises (usually involving breathing) as the author is a great master of mindfulness and teaches it through this simple yet vital technique.
The Zen master grants us examples of his own life, but he also brings and compares concepts that are universal and so can appeal to western cultures, making the book an easy read for anyone.
- The art of happiness
This is the Dalai Lama´s best seller. It is the book that catapulted teaching the path to happiness to global prominence. And that is the commitment of the book. If you feel ready to commit yourself this would be a great place to start.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the Tibetan Head of Buddhism. He is a well-known personality that was banished from his native land because he decided to protest against Tibet’s lack of sovereignty under Chinese rule.
He is a peaceful warrior and a Nobel Prize winner that co-authored this book with the psychiatrist Dr. Howard Cutler, to help him make the concepts related to happiness more relatable for a western audience.
It also is full of stories, exercises, conversations and other experiences the Dalai Lama together with Dr. Cutler found to be useful in the process of acquiring happiness.
Famous Books for a Western Audience
- Zen mind, beginner’s mind
Richard Gere and other famous Buddhists say that this book was one of the most important they read on their way to understanding Buddhism. This book has been considered a modern spiritual classic, since its first publication over 50 years ago.
Shunryu Suzuki, its author, tries to keep his reader in the most pertinent place for learning, that of being an apprentice. He presents traditional concepts but in a very contemporary way.
The book starts with a famous line, that for me, summarizes the intent of the author throughout those pages: “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert´s there are few.” The monk and the philosopher
- Zen in the art of archery
A small book and a quick read, but don’t be deceived. The Russian philosopher Helena Blavatsky’s words never made so much sense to me as when I finished this book. According to her, the comprehension of a book starts when you finish reading it.
The author, Eugen Herrigel, a German philosophy professor, doesn´t make it any easier for us. He spent some time in Japan teaching at University and decided to learn about Zen through its meditative exercises, archery being the one he chose.
His master speaks to him in a way that is both often literal and a metaphor of some kind.
I enjoyed the book. It took me a couple hours to read it, but throughout that week, I had many epiphanies, moments of comprehension. I would recommend it to everyone, but I am aware that we cannot not absorb it 100%.
- Buddha´s Brain
In this book, Rick Hanson talks about quantum physics and psychology, or Buddhism and neuroscience, to be more specific or what we now know as neuroplasticity.
As we get to understand Buddhism and its perception of death and existence, we feel compelled to understand its relationship with quantum physics. And this is a game changer. It makes it all very real.
Once you accept that intrinsic relationship, neuroplasticity is the next level. Neuroplasticity is the ability to remodel our brain using our thoughts and the way we train our neurons.
It will show you how you can shape your brain through meditation, mindfulness and other practices. The best part of the book is that it doesn’t just tell you it is possible, it actually teaches you how to do it.
Books from my Personal Library
- Buddhism for kids
Well, we are all learning, and why not bring the kids along? This best-seller is a very useful tool to share what you have been learning with children. Even without having to address difficult topics, the practices will already start to open their brains to understand the challenges that life brings..
- The Monk and the Philosopher
This is a purely personal choice. Imagine the following situation. You are a renowned philosopher that has prepared your son to follow your academic steps (as parents often do) and he decides to drop everything to become a monk.
Now, imagine you are the son of a great philosopher, and not only your father, but everyone else expects you to become renowned in whichever career you devote your life to. But you actually decide to drop it all and become a monk.
This is the story of Jean-François Revel and Matthieu Ricard. It is surprising, transforming and encouraging. It shows us that the multitude of ways of fulfilling your life’s purpose and expressing your love.
