Hi All,
What with the holidays approaching, I've been asked what I would like for Christmas and I would love an informative book on Buddhism (I know it sounds strange.... "Christ"mas presents - Buddhism book!!!);)
I don't know hardly anything about Buddism, I am a Reiki Practitioner and feel that it would compliment my practice (not that Reiki is a religion, I know!). It's just something that I've always been drawn to. My great Grandfather was Chinese (although you would never guess by looking at me) and so my father always had Chinese ornaments and fat bellied Buddha's around, which I have sort of picked up from him.
But I would love to know what it's all about! Any good books out there?
Love
Sian
RE: Book Recommendations??? Please!
Hi Sian
I read "Buddhism Plain and Simple" by Steve Hagen when I first became interested in Buddhism. It was brilliant, without going too Zen like it explains the basics of Buddhism nicely. I found that some of the other books were too much for me but this one was perfect 😀
RE: Book Recommendations??? Please!
Bookshops:
Shambhala Publications
Snow Lion Publications
Wisdom Publications
RE: Book Recommendations??? Please!
A bit too late for the hols you had in mind, Sian, but I'm just revisiting two books of John Blofield. His style is very chatty so a real nice read. These ar enot textbooks 'all about' Buddhism, but are autobiographical about his own experiences in seeking to find out, in China, about particular aspects of Buddhism. Full of lovely and intriguing meetings with Buddhist monks and masters:
Bodhisattva of Compassion. The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin.
and:
(oops, this isn't Buddhism, but ah well - )
Taoism, The Quest For Immortality.
Venetian
RE: Book Recommendations??? Please!
Hi Sian
I'd recommend anything by Thich Naht Hanh (lots to choose from) and I also like "Insight Meditation - The Practice of Freedom" by Joseph Goldstein - very readable...
Good luck.
RE: Book Recommendations??? Please!
Hello,
I am a practising buddhist and I am also a reiki practitoner, There are many schools of buddhisim with very many different ways of working.
I practice nichiren buddhism, you all may have heard nam- myoho-renge- kyo (which featuered in the film about Tina Turner's life)
This is the title of the lotus sutra which shakyamuni wrote. Nichiren daishonin was a japanese son of a fisherman who basically used the lotus sutra to allow the average man/woman to attain buddhood in this lifetime. It is budhism for the lay man.
there are many books I can suggest which is very easy reading and quite uplifting. 'The buddha in your mirror' by woody Hochswender, greg Martin & Ted Morino
but by far the most prolific author Is Daisaku Ikeda any book written by him is worthwhile reading
or you can go to
good luck
Vanessa
RE: Book Recommendations??? Please!
Sorry this is so late (5 months!!!) but if anyone's still reading or happens to ask the same question in future, there is an author that I can't recommend enough....Surya Das. He's actually american, (dubbed by the Dalai Lama as "the western lama") and has a very laid-back, sometimes humourous style. If I was to attend one of his seminars, I really would feel comfortable in his presence.
Here's the website: [DLMURL] http://www.surya.org/index.html [/DLMURL]
and the direct link to his books: [DLMURL] http://www.surya.org/products.html [/DLMURL]
RE: Book Recommendations??? Please!
Tibetan book of living and dying
Advice on dying and living a better life
The Art of Happiness
are the three books that I keep for re-reading, I can personaly recommend all three
My father has recommended that I buy "Advice from a spiritual friend" which inspired him when he first started on the path
RE: Book Recommendations??? Please!
Hi there people, I am new to the forum, and becoming in instrested. As my friend does buddhism, and the more and more and more we talk about it the more i am always intrested. I have read the past post forums, the Buddhism for Dummies, is good and very easy to understand. As i am starting to read this, i have taken note of all the other books that has been advised on this forum. I am liking this forum, and it has been a good help thank you. Please let me know, if there is any other good books out there. Thanks very much . Dan x
Thanks for ready my post.
Daniel Havis
RE: Book Recommendations??? Please!
The very first spiritual book I was ever given was Siddartha, the story of Buddha's life. If you were to ask what simple truth that remains it is that 'desire is the cause of all pain and suffering'. Buddha and Jesus both called it craving in its extreme.
Love beyond measure
Kim xx