“There is a widespread misconception that Buddhism is a religion in which you worship Buddha.” Buddhism, like yoga, is a practice. You can be both a Christian and a Buddhist. In France, I met a Catholic priest who lives in a Buddhist monastery. He told me that Buddhism has helped him become a better Christian. That’s fantastic.” Buddhist Monk THICH NHAT HANH
People who are interested in Buddhism, in my experience, are interested in learning more about consciousness and enlightenment.
If you’re new to Buddhism and looking for the greatest Buddhist book for a beginner, you might be overwhelmed by the number of options. To make things easier for you, I’ve produced a list of my top eight selections for novices. Some are excellent at articulating the fundamentals of Buddhist doctrine, while others excel at conveying the essence of the Buddha’s teachings. In any case, they’re all wonderful books, and you’ll learn something from any of them.
So, let me preface this list of the finest Buddhist literature for beginners by saying that I am not a Buddhist. I’m a biocultural anthropologist with no personal experience with Buddhism. The closest I’ve gotten to practice are the small mantras sprinkled throughout the few yoga lessons I attend. That is to say, I haven’t done it at all. And, you know, I could write a comprehensive dissertation on Buddhism, its history, and the variations between Theravada, Mahayana, Esoteric, Zen, and so on.
Well, in this article, we will list the Best Buddhist Books for Beginners in 2023. Note that this is not a sponsored post, all books listed below are highly recommended by psychology experts.
Contents
Best Buddhist Books for Beginners 2023
The following are the best Buddhist Books for Beginners in 2023 you should be considering:
- Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment by Robert Wright
- What The Buddha Taught
- BUDDHISM FOR BEGINNERS BY THUBTEN CHODRON
- Opening the Door of Your Heart
- WISDOM OF BUDDHA: THE SAMDHINIRMOCANA SUTRA BY JOHN POWER
- ZEN IS RIGHT HERE BY DAVID CHADWICK
- Peace Is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh
Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment by Robert Wright
WHY BUDDHISM IS TRUE asserts in its bold title that “the core of Buddhism’s assessment of the human condition… its conception of certain basic aspects of how the mind works and of how we can change how the mind works… warrants enough confidence to get the label that the title of this book gives it.”
Wright’s goal is to make Buddhist concepts accessible to skeptical and secular readers by providing scientific proof for its assertions in simple language and an entertaining style.
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What The Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula
This was one of the very first Buddhist texts I read. It may be a little too intellectual for others, especially with so many Pali words and footnotes. On the other hand, this book is a classic that can answer many questions that people new to Buddhism are likely to have.
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BUDDHISM FOR BEGINNERS BY THUBTEN CHODRON
This is a beginner’s book in the best sense—it takes you through the fundamentals of Buddhism while keeping straightforward and approachable without oversimplification. Along with addressing the fundamentals of Buddhist beliefs and practices, the book examines how Buddhism connects to contemporary topics such as abortion, euthanasia, and environmental concerns.
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Opening the Door of Your Heart
Ajahn Brahm is the abbot of the Buddhist Society of Western Australia and a Theravadin monk. Ajahn Chah, the famous meditation instructor, was his mentor. This book is a collection of anecdotes, largely anecdotal tales from his life that are often outrageously humorous and brimming with Buddhist wisdom. Reading this book will provide everyone with some wisdom (as well as a painful stomach from laughing). Every home should have a copy of this book, whether they are Buddhist or not! This is a book I highly suggest to anyone who is interested in learning about Buddhist concepts but is hesitant to read anything with Buddhist terminology (therefore, I have lent it to non-Buddhist, anti-religious friends of mine, who enjoyed it).
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WISDOM OF BUDDHA: THE SAMDHINIRMOCANA SUTRA BY JOHN POWER
A translation of the text that had a significant impact on the establishment of the Mahayana schools of Buddhism. A significant text for practicing Buddhists and scholars of philosophy and religion alike, but it is best tackled with some knowledge of Buddhist thinking and history.
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ZEN IS RIGHT HERE BY DAVID CHADWICK
Shunryu Suzuki was a Zen master who wrote ” Beginner’s Mind. His disciples tell anecdotes about his life and teachings that properly show his grasp on the foundations of Buddhism. While learning about his life, you will also learn how to obtain enlightenment during this lifetime.
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Peace Is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh
This book is brief and easy to read, but it is full of profound, yet simple reminders to stay in the present moment. As I began to read this book, I became more alert, aware, and tranquil. This book’s initial section is basically a meditation in action. It conveys the profound serenity and beauty of living in the present moment consciously. The second section of the book delves into the significance of understanding what seeds we plant in our minds on a daily basis, as well as how to deal with negative emotions such as rage. While the third section examines our interconnectedness with one another and with our surroundings so that we grasp our joint role in fostering happiness in our world. This is a very lovely, gradual book for beginners to grasp the beauty of mindfulness and appreciate how it benefits us in our daily life.
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Some other best Buddhist Books for Beginners 2023
Below are some other best Buddhist Books for Beginners in 2023
Buddha: A Story Of Enlightenment by Deepak Chopra
The Wisdom of No Escape and the Path of Loving-Kindness by Pema Chodron
A WILD LOVE FOR THE WORLD BY JOANNA MACY
Best Buddhist Books for Beginners 2023 FAQs
What book to get started on Buddhism?
- Blue Jean Buddha: Voices of Young Buddhists.
- Buddhism for Beginners.
- Buddhist Philosophy: Essential Readings.
- Creation and Completion: Essential Points of Tantric Meditation.
- The Issue at Hand.
- Mindfulness in Plain English.
- Pure Land: History, Tradition, and Practice.
What books should I read to learn about Buddhism?
- What the Buddha Taught, by Walpola Rahula.
- The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching, by Thich Nhat Hanh.
- Why Buddhism is True, by Robert Wright.
- The Dhammapada, translated by Eknath Easwaran.
- In the Buddha’s Words, by Bhikkhu Bodhi.
What is the most holy book of Buddhism?
Saddharmapundarka-stra (Lotus Sutra) – One of East Asian Buddhism’s most influential texts.
What is Buddhist Bible called?
The Lotus Stra is one of the most significant texts of Mahayana Buddhism in East Asia, and many of its followers regard it as a summary of the Buddha’s teachings.
What are the three secret books of Buddhism?
The Tripiaka is made up of three major types of texts that make up the Buddhist canon: the Sutra Piaka, the Vinaya Piaka, and the Abhidhamma Piaka.
How do I begin Buddhism?
A Buddhist can be anyone. It is not necessary to be “born” into Buddhism or to have Buddhist parents. One can be of any color, country, socioeconomic status, gender, etc. Those who seek to identify as Buddhists usually participate in a rite known as taking refuge in the Triple Gem.
What are the 2 types of Buddhism?
In China, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, Mahayana Buddhism is widely practiced. It stresses bodhisattvas as role models (beings who have attained enlightenment but return to teach humans). Theravada Buddhism is widely practiced in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar (Burma).
Can Buddhists eat meat?
One of the teachings forbids killing any person or animal. Many Buddhists interpret this to suggest that you should not consume animals because doing so would necessitate their slaughter. Buddhists who adhere to this understanding typically eat a lacto-vegetarian diet.
What Scripture does Buddhist use?
Tripitaka (Tipitaka) is the traditional word for the collection of Buddhist scriptures that represent Gautama Buddha’s fundamental teachings. The Tripitaka is thought to have been written between 550 BCE and the beginning of the Common Era.
Do Buddhist have a holy book?
Some of the most significant are: Tipitaka: Known as the “three baskets,” these texts are regarded to be the earliest collection of Buddhist writings. Sutras: There are about 2,000 sutras, which are sacred teachings mostly practiced by Mahayana Buddhists.
That is all for this article, where we’ve stated and discussed the Best Buddhist Books for Beginners. I hope it was helpful. if so, kindly share with others. thanks for reading; see you around!
