20 Best Book On Buddha Teachings (2023 Update)

Get on the path to zen bliss–an essential beginner's guide to buddhism. how is an awakening different from enlightenment? can agnostics and atheists be buddhist? am i supposed to stop thinking when i meditate? in no-nonsense buddhism for beginners, renowned buddhism teacher and host of the popular secular buddhism podcast, noah rasheta, delivers an easily accessible introduction to the teachings of buddhism that answers these common questions and many more. with no-nonsense buddhism for beginners you'll gain a fundamental understanding of buddhism and how to apply the philosophies in your everyday life, through: a simple 4-part structure addressing the different aspects of buddhism–the buddha, key buddhist concepts, the buddha's teachings, and current buddhist practices straightforward q&a's that simplify the vital concepts of buddhism into easy-to-understand ideas "everyday buddhism" sidebars that make buddhism less abstract by offering down-to-earth examples from everyday life presented in a simple, conversational style, the information and guidance in no-nonsense buddhism for beginners provides the groundwork that is necessary for building or continuing your own buddhist practice.

In this volume acclaimed scholar-monk bhikkhu bodhi has collected and translated the buddha’s teachings on conflict resolution, interpersonal and social problem-solving, and the forging of harmonious relationships. the selections, all drawn from the pali canon, the earliest record of the buddha’s discourses, are organized into ten thematic chapters. the chapters deal with such topics as the quelling of anger, good friendship, intentional communities, the settlement of disputes, and the establishing of an equitable society. each chapter begins with a concise and informative introduction by the translator that guides us toward a deeper understanding of the texts that follow. in times of social conflict, intolerance, and war, the buddha’s approach to creating and sustaining peace takes on a new and urgent significance. even readers unacquainted with buddhism will appreciate these ancient teachings, always clear, practical, undogmatic, and so contemporary in flavor. the buddha’s teachings on social and communal harmony will prove to be essential reading for anyone seeking to bring peace into their communities and into the wider world.

This treasury of essential buddhist writings draws from the most popular indian, tibetan, chinese, and japanese sources. among the selections are some of the earliest recorded sayings of the buddha on the practice of freedom, passages from later indian scriptures on the perfection of wisdom, verses from tibetan masters on the enlightened mind, and songs in praise of meditation by zen teachers. the book also includes traditional instruction on how to practice sitting meditation, cultivate calm awareness, and live with compassion. jack kornfield, one of the most respected american buddhist teachers, has compiled these teachings to impart the essence and inspiration of buddhism to readers of all spiritual traditions.

This comprehensive, compact, lucid, and faithful account of the buddha's teachings persistently enjoys great popularity in colleges, universities, and theological schools both here and abroad. an exposition of buddhism conceived in a resolutely modern spirit.”? 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.” a classic introductory book to buddhism, what the buddha taught, contains a selection of illustrative texts from the original pali texts, including the suttas and the dhammapada (specially translated by the author), sixteen illustrations, and a bibliography, glossary, and index.

This landmark collection is the definitive introduction to the buddha's teachings – in his own words. the american scholar-monk bhikkhu bodhi, whose voluminous translations have won widespread acclaim, here presents selected discourses of the buddha from the pali canon, the earliest record of what the buddha taught. divided into ten thematic chapters, in the buddha's words reveals the full scope of the buddha's discourses, from family life and marriage to renunciation and the path of insight. a concise, informative introduction precedes each chapter, guiding the reader toward a deeper understanding of the texts that follow. this book contains: clear translations of the buddha’s original teachings thoughtfully curated selections from the pali canon chapters on the buddha’s life, rebirth, suffering, liberation, and practice a foreword by his holiness the dalai lama in the buddha's words allows even readers unacquainted with buddhism to grasp the significance of the buddha's contributions to our world heritage. taken as a whole, these texts bear eloquent testimony to the breadth and intelligence of the buddha's teachings, and point the way to an ancient yet ever-vital path. practitioners and scholars alike will find this systematic presentation indispensable. dive into the world of the buddha through these easy-to-read english translations of the pali canon. the pali canon is the literary, intellectual, and spiritual foundation of theravada buddhism. this volume, being organized in a progressive manner "from the simple to the difficult, from the elementary to the profound," makes it well-suited for those looking for an accessible introduction to the theravadin scriptural corpus, as well as being a valuable resource for those familiar with the pali canon but wanting a more structured presentation of the materials.

A popular introduction to buddhism, showing how christians can understand and effectively dialogue with buddhists. buddhism is a rapidly rising religion in the west, but few westerners know buddhism from the inside. having grown up with buddhism and christianity, steve cioccolanti highlights the similarities and builds bridges of understanding between the two major religions. his account is studded with stories, parables, and illuminating observations. this book is remarkably easy to read, and steve is an engaging and original guide. discover buddhism the way it's actually lived, not the way it's been presented in textbooks or by hollywood. now you can learn the 2 most popular religions in 1 book! "a groundbreaking book… steve has an unusual insight into the buddhist mind. i would use it for our bible college students." dr. wayne cordeiro (pastor of new hope christian fellowship, a 10,000+ member church in hawaii.) "from buddha to jesus is a clear exposition of both buddha's search for truth and the foundations of buddhist culture. it then gives an account of how the good news of jesus can fulfill buddhist law, and deliver people from the drive of endless perfectionism. a totally thought-provoking work!" rod plummer (senior pastor of jesus lifehouse tokyo)"steve's book 'from buddha to jesus' is the best tool that i have found to find a common platform with buddhists. although the book is primarily focused on thai buddhism, the principles in the book can be used with buddhists in japan and with buddhists in other countries. i highly recommend it!" rev. daniel kikawa (president of aloha ke akua ministries, pastor of hilo missionary church)"one of the books that i really read from cover to cover. i bought 10 copies and distributed them to my friends. i was once a buddhist and this book really opened up my eyes. steve cioccolanti was able to put things in the right manner and has written in a balanced and non-offensive way. this book rocks!" daniel hendrata (tv host, co-founder of anugrah ministries)"i have been a missionary in thailand for 40 years. i read your book and was very impressed. i wish i would have had it sooner." dorothy h., thailand"your book is one of my treasured collection and i've been reading it again and again. i love it so much. it helps me to understand buddha and buddhism and draw bridges between the two faiths. keep up the good work and god bless!." mish n." steve's gentle way of sharing his insight suits the [asian] audience very well… he has also broken some invalid preconceived ideas that buddhists are closed to the gospel." ching wah, singapore"my husband and i have been reading it and although i am a second-generation missionary in thailand (my dad arrived in 1946!) your book has brought new insight and clarified many things and is helping me/us immensely in relating to the buddhists. marianna & erik, thailand"this book gave me confidence that i had a strategy! this teaching releases people!" tim p., thailand"anyone who comes in contact with eastern religions should read steve's book." col stringer, president of icfm australia"truly enlightening and informative… a useful tool to reach not only buddhists but many others confused by the plethora of religions." tom inglis, founder of psalmody"a well-written book with a clear and bold testimony." canon james wong (anglican churc

With poetry and clarity, thich nhat hanh imparts comforting wisdom about the nature of suffering and its role in creating compassion, love, and joy – all qualities of enlightenment. “thich nhat hanh shows us the connection between personal, inner peace, and peace on earth.”—his holiness the dalai lamain the heart of the buddha’s teaching, now revised with added material and new insights, 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. 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 dhammapada is one of the most popular and accessible books in all of buddhist literature. in it are the words of the buddha, teaching that all suffering stems from desire and that the way to attain freedom is to purify the heart and follow the way of truth. thomas byrom's verse rendering of the dhammapada uniquely captures the buddha's original teachings with simplicity and lyricism.

Old path white clouds presents the life and teachings of gautama buddha. drawn directly from 24 pali, sanskrit, and chinese sources, and retold by thich nhat hanh in his inimitably beautiful style, this book traces the buddha's life slowly and gently over the course of 80 years, partly through the eyes of svasti, the buffalo boy, and partly through the eyes of the buddha himself. old path white clouds is destined to become a classic of religious literature. thich nhat hanh is a vietnamese buddhist monk. his life long efforts to generate peace and reconciliation moved martin luther king, jr. to nominate him for the nobel peace prize in 1967. he is the founder of van hanh buddhist university in saigon, and has taught at columbia university and the sorbonne. he is the author of being peace, the miracle of mindfulness, peace is every step, and 75 other books. i have not avoided including the various difficulties the buddha encountered, both from his own disciples and in relation to the wider society. if the buddha appears in this hook as a man close to us, it is partly due to recounting such difficulties. –from the author's afterword

Start your buddhist journey with a clear and simple introduction – buddhism is a rich and layered belief system, which means exploring it for the first time can be overwhelming–and it's not always easy to connect the teachings to our lives today. this guide breaks down the central philosophies of buddhism in clear and concise language that makes them easy to understand and apply to the modern world. – what sets this buddha book apart: peace and purpose–get the most out of your practice with simple explanations that help you truly internalize the core pillars of buddhism. – answers to big questions–discover the origins of buddhism and how the buddha's words can help you ease suffering, express gratitude, and understand the nature of existence. – freedom to practice your way–this book encourages you to adopt the teachings that resonate with you and set aside the ones that don't, so you can create your own relationship with buddhism. – immerse yourself in the core teachings of the buddha with this relatable beginner's guide.

Discover with the original teachings of the buddha in this thorough translation of some of the oldest buddhist texts in the world. like the river ganges flowing down from the himalayas, the entire buddhist tradition flows down to us from the teachings and deeds of the historical buddha, who lived and taught in india during the fifth century b.c.e. to ensure that his legacy would survive the ravages of time, his direct disciples compiled records of the buddha's teachings soon after his passing. in the theravada buddhist tradition, which prevails in sri lanka and southeast asia, these records are regarded as the definitive "word of the buddha." preserved in pali, an ancient indian language closely related to the language that the buddha spoke, this full compilation of texts is known as the pali canon. at the heart of the buddha's teaching were the suttas (sanskrit sutras), his discourses and dialogues. the suttas were compiled into collections called "nikayas," of which there are four, each organized according to a different principle. the digha nikaya consists of longer discourses; the majjhima nikaya of middle-length discourses; the samyutta nikaya of thematically connected discourses; and the anguttara nikaya of numerically patterned discourses. the anguttara arranges the buddha's discourses in accordance with a numerical scheme intended to promote retention and easy comprehension. in an age when writing was still in its infancy, this proved to be the most effective way to ensure that the disciples could grasp and replicate the structure of a teaching. here’s what makes the numerical discourses special: insightful commentary from eminent scholar-monk bhikkhu bodhi its comprehensive translation of the anguttara nikaya, part of the pali canon teachings specifically for lay people and families themes including family life, right livelihood, friendship, and meditation techniques laid out in a carefully organized thematic guide in 2013, venerable bhikkhu bodhi was awarded the 2013 khyentse foundation prize for outstanding translation. bhikkhu bodhi’s translation and compilation also includes a useful thematic guide to the anguttara nikaya, so that readers can browse the volume by topic. find the teachings to further your practice and bring clarity to your life today by diving into this rich treasure of the buddhist literary tradition. with this volume, readers can learn about the life of the buddha, instructions for maintaining a harmonious household, monastic practice and lifestyle, meditation practice, and the sangha (buddhist community).

Do you want to free yourself from stress and anxiety? would you like to bring peace and joy in your life? many people hear the word "buddhism" and they think it is a religion. however, a person of any religion can bring buddhist principles into their life without giving up their religious beliefs. buddhism is a simple and practical philosophy, practiced by more than 300 million people worldwide, that can make your life better and help you find inner peace and happiness. buddhism is a way of living your life following a path of spiritual development that leads you to the truth of reality. when the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves." – buddha nowadays, buddhism is becoming increasingly popular, thanks to the positive benefits it can bring to those who choose to practice it. by following the principles of buddhism and by practicing mindfulness meditation you can reduce anxiety and stress and bring clarity and joy into your mind. if you want to learn how to apply the buddhist philosophy in your everyday life, then this book is for you. you'll learn the principles of this philosophy along with the history of buddha and his teachings that will help you successfully bring buddhism into your everyday life. this book will give you the answers you're seeking in a format that is both simple and easy to understand, without obscure words or convoluted sentences. inside buddhism for beginners, discover: how you can bring peace and joy in your life following the simple principles of buddhism a simple but effective meditation technique for beginners to help you relieve stress and feel calmer, even if you've never meditated before the core buddhist principles and teachings explained in plain english, without complex or obscure words the history of buddhism, from its origins to the present day why knowing and freeing your mind can help you bring peace and joy in your everyday life (with practical tips to help you start) a complete historical timeline of notable buddhist events to help you understand the development of this philosophy the principles you should pursue if you want to follow the path of buddha an effective way to understand and practice buddhism without feeling overwhelmed the truth about karma and how it can actually help you change your life (many people don't know this) practical tips to bring buddhism into your everyday life and brighten your future. and much, much more. now it's up to you. even if right now you have no clue of buddha's teachings, let joy and peace become part of your life and free you from stress and anxiety, you won't regret it! scroll up and click the "add to cart" button!

"from the introduction: it was written primarily for those who have or might develop an interest in the very basic buddhist teachings associated with what tibetan traditions call the "first turning" of the wheel of the dharma. here is grouped teachings on proper conduct (vinaya) and discourses (sutras) and commentaries (shastras) on basic teachings which came to be gathered together under the rubric of higher dharma (abhidharma). the teachings on higher dharma have, to date, are, for the most part, rather technical, consisting of main points and enumerated lists of basic factors (dharmas) of phenomena mentioned in the buddha sutras. there is a rich codification of such teachings preserved in the pali language, and thereafter in the theravadin abhidhamma literature. in addition, there are a different set of texts used by the living traditions associated with indo-tibetan buddhist lineages, preserved in sanskrit (and, also in translation into tibetan, chinese and mongolian languages). it is the indo-tibetan traditions which are explored in this book. i have chosen to give an account, an approach which strives to bring out a lively, relevant and novel way to apply some of the key approaches of the higher dharma to a contemporary non-specialist readership"–

“a masterpiece. . . . dr. epstein helps readers overcome their own fears of desire so that they can more readily bridge the gap between self and other, cope with feelings of incompletion, and get past the perception of others as objects. freed from clinging and shame, desire’s spiritual potential can then be opened up.

A shorter and less technical treatment of its subject than the author's acclaimed buddhism as philosophy (second edition, hackett, 2021), mark siderits's the buddha's teachings as philosophy explores three different systems of thought that arose from core claims of the buddha. by detailing and critically examining key arguments made by the buddha and developed by later buddhist philosophers, siderits investigates the buddha's teachings as philosophy: a set of claims–in this case, claims about the nature of the world and our place in it–supported by rational argumentation and, here, developed with a variety of systematic results. the buddha's teachings as philosophy will be especially useful to students of philosophy, religious studies, and comparative religion–to anyone, in fact, encountering buddhist philosophy for the first time.

Is an indispensable exploration of the buddha's teachings as found in the main buddhist traditions. constantly returning to the question 'how can this help me?' sangharakshita examines a variety of fundamental principles, including: karma and re-birth, nirvana and shunyata, conditioned co-production, impermanence, unsatisfactoriness and insubstantiality, ethics, meditation, and wisdom. the result is a refreshing, unsettling, and inspiring book that lays before us the essential dharma, timeless and universal.

Is an indispensable exploration of the buddha's teachings as found in the main buddhist traditions. constantly returning to the question 'how can this help me?' sangharakshita examines a variety of fundamental principles, including: karma and re-birth, nirvana and shunyata, conditioned co-production, impermanence, unsatisfactoriness and insubstantiality, ethics, meditation, and wisdom. the result is a refreshing, unsettling, and inspiring book that lays before us the essential dharma, timeless and universal.

Negative thoughts based in jealousy, greed, or hatred may seem harmless on the surface. after all, they're only thoughts, right? but while thoughts are only in our head, they often betray our intentions, and can directly shape our actions. so, how can you overcome internal negativity and live more consciously? in how would buddha think?, best-selling author of 14,000 things to be happy about, barbara ann kipfer offers an insightful, modern take on the ancient teaching of right intention–an important tenet of the buddhist eightfold path focused on the belief that our intentions drive our actions.with this book as your guide, you'll learn how to move past negative thoughts or ill will toward others and instead focus on altruism, purpose, and self-actualization–qualities needed to help you live a truly happy life.

Buddhism, with its stress on non-violence, the 'middle path' and its promise of nirvana, finds many followers. but in today's world, it has become simply a fad for some, something to follow because their favourite celebrity propagates it. simply wearing robes or carrying prayer beads does not make one a buddhist; it has to be ingrained within, and should become a part of one's daily life.the best way to catch a snake, a three-part volume, is a guide to buddhist teachings, for all those who want to start their journey towards a better life, but don't know where to begin. it goes beyond the exotic rituals and practices that buddhism is today seen as. it elucidates the four seals, the four noble truths and the four thoughts of buddhism in simple, jargon-free language. the author, a buddhist monk himself, combines examples from his own experience with simple exercises to skilfully guide us through gautama buddha's teachings. a valuable source of buddhist knowledge, this book is a must for anyone drawn to the teachings of gautama buddha.

Buddhism, with its stress on non-violence, the 'middle path' and its promise of nirvana, finds many followers. but in today's world, it has become simply a fad for some, something to follow because their favourite celebrity propagates it. simply wearing robes or carrying prayer beads does not make one a buddhist; it has to be ingrained within, and should become a part of one's daily life.the best way to catch a snake, a three-part volume, is a guide to buddhist teachings, for all those who want to start their journey towards a better life, but don't know where to begin. it goes beyond the exotic rituals and practices that buddhism is today seen as. it elucidates the four seals, the four noble truths and the four thoughts of buddhism in simple, jargon-free language. the author, a buddhist monk himself, combines examples from his own experience with simple exercises to skilfully guide us through gautama buddha's teachings. a valuable source of buddhist knowledge, this book is a must for anyone drawn to the teachings of gautama buddha.