Books on Buddhism
By
User:Kristenmollica @timeAndDate(1271352773)
All your friends have reached enlightenment and you feel left out. You want to speak in paradoxes and be flexible enough to sit in full lotus position. You seek out of body experiences, orange robes, and a really long white beard. Well my friend, you may not be able to live up to all those stereotypes but reading
Eastern philosophy and begin to understand your true nature. If you're not skilled enough to connect your consciousness with mine then you'll have to just read this guide to learn about some awesome books.
Books for N00bs
You are just the bud of the lotus flower, not ready to bloom. You probably don't even know what I meant by that statement. It's okay. These books are here to help. These books will get you started on your path to enlightenment without throwing confusing Zen koans at you. Many beginners are daunted by terminology and seemingly paradoxical teachings. You'll want to find books that break down basic beliefs and put teachings into simple terms. I find it's best to start out with American writers because they have an easier time bridging the gap between East and West.
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Buddhism for Dummies by Jonathan Landaw
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Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen
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Buddhism Without Beliefs by Stephen Batchelor
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Buddhism for Beginners by Thubten Chodron
Sacred Texts
You've now become somewhat of an expert on Buddhism. Zen doesn't scare you and you now know the difference between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. I think you're ready to tackle the sacred texts. Sacred texts aren't going to be an easy, fun read. If you couldn't get through the book of Genesis in the Bible, then you may want to steer clear. However, if you're serious about learning and living Buddhism take these books into consideration:
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Buddhist Scriptures
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The Tibetan Book of the Dead
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The Dhammapada
Get Your Zen On
Zen is a school of Mahayana Buddhism and it's probably the one word people think of most when they think of Buddhism. Zen in a nutshell: Rejects sacred scriptures and devotional practices and believes enlightenment is achieved through meditation. I apologize if you're already spent all that time and money on buying sacred texts. But Zen isn't for everyone so maybe that money was well spent! If you prefer this more "rebellious" path to enlightenment then read up on some of these great Zen books:
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Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig
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Peace Is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh
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Zen and the Art of Happiness by Chris Prentiss
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Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki
Can I Get Some Peace and Quiet?
No matter what school of Buddhism you follow, or if you're just trying to clear your mind, meditation is a wonderful practice. Let all the worries of your day just melt away with a few minutes of mindful meditation. Meditation will also bring you closer to that blissful state of enlightenment, but don't expect that to just happen over night. The best tip I can give you: don't get frustrated and give up. You'll most likely end up falling asleep the first few times. Sleep is good too. Get some more helpful tips from these meditation books:
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Meditation Now or Never by Steven Hagen
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The Dalai Lama
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Meditation for Beginners by Jack Kornfield
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How To Meditate: A Practical Guide by Kathleen McDonald
Further Enlightenment
Some more great choices to help you realize you are already enlightened, you just have to awaken your mind to it!
Related Guides
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Philosophy Books
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Spiritual and Religious Books
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Martial Arts
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Yoga
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Vegetarian and Vegan Guide
