Books about Buddha

New Releases on Buddha

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A Broader Vision: Perspectives on the Buddha and the Christ - Richard Henry Drummond & Kenneth M. Skidmore 1995

Synopsis: I did find a review of this book by a Japanese reader who appreciated that this book was written by a theologian who has witnessed and studied Buddhism in Japan for many years as a missionary. The reader found Drummond’s book fair, showing a true understanding of Buddhism by an outsider.

 

Buddha - Karen Armstrong 2004

Amazon Synopsis: With such bestsellers as A History of God and Islam, Karen Armstrong has consistently delivered "penetrating, readable, and prescient" (The New York Times) works that have lucidly engaged a wide range of religions and religious issues. In Buddha she turns to a figure whose thought is still reverberating throughout the world 2,500 years after his death.

Many know the Buddha only from seeing countless serene, iconic images. But what of the man himself and the world he lived in? What did he actually do in his roughly eighty years on earth that spawned one of the greatest religions in world history? Armstrong tackles these questions and more by examining the life and times of the Buddha in this engrossing philosophical biography. Against the tumultuous cultural background of his world, she blends history, philosophy, mythology, and biography to create a compelling and illuminating portrait of a man whose awakening continues to inspire millionsyhuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

Buddha Heart, Buddha Mind - Living the Four Noble Truths - H.H. the Dalai Lama 2000

Amazon Synopsis: This book is a collection of passages from lectures by the Dalai Lama. The teacher who speaks here is not the Buddhist philosopher, nor the head of state of the Tibetan people, but the spiritual friend, the one with a sharp, compassionate, and humorous understanding of the human condition. The Dalai Lama answers our concerns about the source of our anxieties, our limitations, the problem of death, and the deepest responsibilities of our lives.

 

Buddha Nature: Death and Eternal Soul in Buddhism - H.H. the Dalai Lama 1997

Amazon Synopsis: For the first time, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama presents his views concerning the Self in Buddhism. In the process, he explains how Buddhist teachings differentiate the person and the eternal soul. An inspiring book that encourages religious and spiritual dialogue.

 

The Buddhism of Tibet and the Key to the Middle Way - H.H. the Dalai Lama, translated by Jeffrey Hopkins and Lati Rinpoche 2002

Amazon Synopsis: Unlike most books by the Dalai Lama which are edited compilations of talks that he has given, this book consists of two texts that he himself wrote and two that he chose—all especially aimed at helping Western readers become better grounded in Buddhism. He wrote "The Buddhism of Tibet" and "The Key to the Middle Way" sections to explain the principal topics and central practices of Buddhism. There are four sections to this compilation:

•  "The Buddhism of Tibet" by the Dalai Lama: In this excellent introduction, the Dalai Lama explains the principal topics and central practices of Buddhism.
•  "The Key to the Middle Way" by the Dalai Lama: The Dalai Lama leads the student to the discovery of the true meaning of emptiness. With acute precision, he presents many insights into the nature of"emptiness.
• "The Precious Garland" by Nagarjuna: Originally written for a king, this text is famous for its descriptions of the bodhisattva path of compassion and for its clear, concise analysis of the"Buddha's teachings on emptiness. It describes how to find happiness by cultivating virtues of body speech and mind and how to amass the stores of merit and wisdom required for enlightenment.
• "The Song of the Four Mindfulnesses" by the Seventh Dalai Lama Kaysang Gyatso: This short poem contains all the essentials of sutra and tantra. It is to be used as a basis for meditations on mindfulness of"the guru altruism deity yoga and emptiness.

 

Buddhism for Boring People: Just the Basics - Daniel J. Scharpenburg 2011

Amazon Synopsis: This is a guide to the history and practice of Buddhism. It's written with regular people in mind. It's not a book for people living in monasteries or caves. It's for those of us who live regular lives, with jobs and kids and relationships. The book is designed to let everyone know that you don't have to give up everything to be on the spiritual path. Buddhism isn't just for monks and lamas. It's for boring people too.

 

Buddhist Thought: A complete introduction to the Indian tradition - P. Williams  & A. Tribe  2012

Amazon Synopsis: This book serves as an accessible and reliable survey for students wishing to gain familiarity with the basic ideas of Buddhist philosophical and religious thought, and with some of the recent research in the field. It guides readers towards a richer understanding of the central concepts of classical Indian Buddhist thought, from the time of Buddha to the latest scholarly perspectives and controversies. Abstract and complex ideas are made understandable by the authors' clear and engaging style.

The second edition has been fully revised in light of new scholarship, in particular on Mahāyāna Buddhism and Tantric Buddhism, an often neglected and inadequately understood topic. As well as a detailed bibliography this authoritative resource now includes recommended further reading, study questions, a pronunciation guide and extensive glossary of terms, all aimed at helping students to develop their knowledge and appreciation of Buddhist thought.

Can Humanity Change?: J. Krishnamurti in Dialogue with Buddhists - Jiddu Krishnamurti 2003

Amazon Synopsis: Many have considered Buddhism to be the religion closest in spirit to J. Krishnamurti's spiritual teaching—even though the great teacher was famous for urging students to seek truth outside organized religion. This record of a historic encounter between Krishnamurti and a group of Buddhist scholars provides a unique opportunity to see what the great teacher had to say himself about Buddhist teachings. The conversations, which took place in London in the late 1970s, focused on human consciousness and its potential for transformation. Participants include Walpola Rahula, the renowned Sri Lankan Buddhist monk and scholar, author of the classic introductory text What the Buddha Taught.

 

The Foundations of Buddhism - Rupert Gethin 1998

Amazon Synopsis: Buddhism is a vast and complex religious and philosophical tradition with a history that stretches over 2,500 years, and which is now followed by around 115 million people. In this introduction to the foundations of Buddhism, Rupert Gethin concentrates on the ideas and practices which constitute the common heritage of the different traditions of Buddhism (Thervada, Tibetan, and Eastern) that exist in the world today. From the narrative of the story of the Buddha, through discussions of aspects such as textual traditions, the framework of the Four Noble Truths, the interaction between the monastic and lay ways of life, the cosmology of karma and rebirth, and the path of the bodhisattva, this book provides a stimulating introduction to Buddhism as a religion and way of life.

 

Heart of Buddha's Teaching - Thich Nhat Hanh 1999

Amazon Synopsis: In The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching, Thich Nhat Hanh introduces us to the core teachings of Buddhism and shows us that the Buddha's teachings are accessible and applicable to our daily lives. With poetry and clarity, Nhat Hanh imparts comforting wisdom about the nature of suffering and its role in creating compassion, love, and joy--all qualities of enlightenment. Covering such significant teachings as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, the Three Doors of Liberation, the Three Dharma Seals, and the Seven Factors of Awakening, The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching is a radiant beacon on Buddhist thought for the initiated and uninitiated alike.

 

The Life of Buddha: Originally Written in the First Century A. D. - B. Asvaghosha 2003

Google Synopsis: This may be the oldest known story of the complete life of Buddha, having been written in the first century AD. The author was an educated ecclesiastic Buddhist who traveled throughout India collecting stories and traditions relating to the Buddha's life. He was a famous preacher and musician who then wove them into a Sanskrit poem which he performed musically during his travels. The people of India delighted in this magical tale whenever it was performed with the choir of musicians who traveled with him. It holds many facts that other biographies or stories of the Buddha don't have, which makes this work so important. The entire epic is preserved in this rare book, long out of print, which may have otherwise been lost to the western world.

 

The Life of the Buddha: According to the Pali Canon - Bhikkhu Nanamoli  2003

Amazon Synopsis: Composed entirely of texts from the Pali canon, this unique biography presents the oldest authentic record of the Buddha's life and revolutionary philosophy. The ancient texts are rendered here in a language marked by lucidity and dignity, and a framework of narrators and voices connect the canonical texts. Vivid recollections of his personal attendant Ananda and other disciples bring the reader into the Buddha's presence, where his example offers profound inspiration and guidance on the path to freedom.

 

Lotus in Hand: An introduction to Buddhism - Raj Arumugam 2010

Amazon Synopsis: 'Lotus in Hand: an introduction to Buddhism' is the result of Raj Arumugam's relationship with Buddhism and independent inquiry into the Buddha's teachings over four decades. 'Lotus in Hand' is written mostly in verse and includes the following sections: teachings; aspects of Buddhism; Mind Unshaken; scenes from the life of the Buddha; Kisa Gotami: a mother's sorrow; Meditations on the Dhammapada.

 

The Naked Buddha: A Practical Guide to the Buddha's Life and Teachings - Adrienne Howley 2003

Amazon Synopsis: Although a widely observed and respected practice in America, Buddhism is still difficult for many seekers to thoroughly grasp. Now, Adrienne Howley, personally ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and one of the highest ranking Buddhist nuns in the world, writes in a warm, simple, and engagingly humorous style that illustrates the life, ideas, and teachings of the Buddha and the religion and philosophy that he inspired. This charming guide demystifies Buddhism and shows how we can apply its teachings to our lives in useful and meaningful ways.

What the Buddha Taught: Revised and Expanded Edition with Texts from Suttas and Dhammapada - Walpola Rahula 1974

Amazon Synopsis: This indispensable volume is a lucid and faithful account of the Buddha’s teachings. “For years,” says the Journal of the Buddhist Society, “the newcomer to Buddhism has lacked a simple and reliable introduction to the complexities of the subject. Dr. Rahula’s What the Buddha Taught fills the need as only could be done by one having a firm grasp of the vast material to be sifted. It is a model of what a book should be that is addressed first of all to ‘the educated and intelligent reader.’ Authoritative and clear, logical and sober, this study is as comprehensive as it is masterly.”

This edition contains a selection of illustrative texts from the Suttas and the Dhammapada (specially translated by the author), sixteen illustrations, and a bibliography, glossary, and index.

 

 

Fiction

 

Buddha - Deepak Chopra 2008

Amazon Synopsis: Deepak Chopra brings the Buddha back to life in this gripping New York Times bestselling novel about the young prince who abandoned his inheritance to discover his true calling. This iconic journey changed the world forever, and the truths revealed continue to influence every corner of the globe today.

A young man in line for the throne is trapped in his father's kingdom and yearns for the outside world. Betrayed y those closest to him, Siddhartha abandons his palace and princely title. Face-to-face with his demons, he becomes a wandering monk and embarks on a spiritual fast that carries him to the brink of death. Ultimately recognizing his inability to conquer his body and mind by sheer will, Siddhartha transcends his physical pain and achieves enlightenment.

Although we recognize Buddha today as an icon of peace and serenity, his life story was a tumultuous and spellbinding affair filled with love and sex, murder and loss, struggle and surrender. From the rocky terrain of the material world to the summit of the spiritual one, Buddha captivates and inspires—ultimately leading us closer to understanding the true nature of life and ourselves.

 

Siddhartha – Hermann Hesse 1981

Amazon Synopsis: In the novel, Siddhartha, a young man, leaves his family for a contemplative life, then, restless, discards it for one of the flesh. He conceives a son, but bored and sickened by lust and greed, moves on again. Near despair, Siddhartha comes to a river where he hears a unique sound. This sound signals the true beginning of his life -- the beginning of suffering, rejection, peace, and, finally, wisdom.   Read online or download

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