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Religion » Buddhism

Browse book recommendations:

Religion

  • Best Atheist Books
  • Buddhism
  • Christian
  • Islamic
  • Jewish
  • Magic & Witchcraft
  • Theology

Looking for the best books on Buddhism? We asked experts to compile reading lists and discuss their recommendations in an interview. For beginners, we recommend Elizabeth Harris's discussion of introductory books about Buddhism. Donald S Lopez Jr, a Buddhism scholar, also provides an invaluable overview of the foundations of Buddhist beliefs.

If, on the other hand, you're secular but looking to bring some aspects of Buddhism into your life, Robert Wright's Why Buddhism is True is an excellent starting point. According to our philosophy editor Nigel Warburton, who chose it as one the best philosophy books of 2017, the book is "a combination of evolutionary psychology, philosophy, regular psychology, anecdotes and autobiography—defending the view that a non-religious and naturalised Buddhism captures something essential about the human condition."

We also have an interview with Andy Puddicombe, co-founder of the popular Headspace app, which teaches simple, 10-minute meditation techniques. A former Buddhism monk, he talks us through some of the books that inspired him on his journey.

    Elizabeth Harris recommends the best Introductions to Buddhism

  • Read
    Elizabeth Harris recommends the best Introductions to Buddhism - Buddhism by Cathy Cantwell

    1

    Buddhism
    by Cathy Cantwell

  • Read
    Elizabeth Harris recommends the best Introductions to Buddhism - The First Buddhist Women by Susan Murcott

    2

    The First Buddhist Women
    by Susan Murcott

  • Read
    Elizabeth Harris recommends the best Introductions to Buddhism - Call Me by My True Names by Thich Nhat Hanh

    3

    Call Me by My True Names
    by Thich Nhat Hanh

  • Read
    Elizabeth Harris recommends the best Introductions to Buddhism - The Art of Living by His Holiness the Dalai Lama

    4

    The Art of Living
    by His Holiness the Dalai Lama

  • Read
    Elizabeth Harris recommends the best Introductions to Buddhism - Come and See Yourself by Ayya Khema

    5

    Come and See Yourself
    by Ayya Khema

Elizabeth Harris recommends the best Introductions to Buddhism

Where does one start if one wants to know about Buddhism? Professor and practitioner, Elizabeth Harris, recommends some of the best books to get you going on the path to Enlightenment.

    The best books on Buddhism, recommended by Donald S Lopez Jr

  • Read
    The best books on Buddhism - The Lotus Sutra by Tsugunari Kubo and Akira Yuyama (traslators)

    1

    The Lotus Sutra
    by Tsugunari Kubo and Akira Yuyama (traslators)

  • Read
    The best books on Buddhism - Introduction to the History of Indian Buddhism by Eugène Burnouf

    2

    Introduction to the History of Indian Buddhism
    by Eugène Burnouf

  • Read
    The best books on Buddhism - Bones, Stones, and Buddhist Monks by Gregory Schopen

    3

    Bones, Stones, and Buddhist Monks
    by Gregory Schopen

  • Read
    The best books on Buddhism - Words of My Perfect Teacher by Patrul Rinpoche

    4

    Words of My Perfect Teacher
    by Patrul Rinpoche

  • Read
    The best books on Buddhism - Journey to the West by Anthony C Yu

    5

    Journey to the West
    by Anthony C Yu

The best books on Buddhism, recommended by Donald S Lopez Jr

What is the Buddhist equivalent of the Bible? What is the Dalai Lama’s favourite book? Buddhist scholar Donald Lopez picks the best books on Buddhism.

    Meditation Books, recommended by Andy Puddicombe

  • Read
    Meditation Books - Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice by Shunryu Suzuki

    1

    Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice
    by Shunryu Suzuki

  • Read
    Meditation Books - The Life of Milarepa Translated by Lobsang P Lhalungpa

    2

    The Life of Milarepa
    Translated by Lobsang P Lhalungpa

  • Read
    Meditation Books - Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism by Chogyam Trungpa

    3

    Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism
    by Chogyam Trungpa

  • Read
    Meditation Books - The Bodhicaryāvatāra by Śāntideva

    4

    The Bodhicaryāvatāra
    by Śāntideva

  • Read
    Meditation Books - One Robe, One Bowl: The Zen Poetry of Ryōkan by Ryōkan

    5

    One Robe, One Bowl: The Zen Poetry of Ryōkan
    by Ryōkan

Meditation Books, recommended by Andy Puddicombe

Two decades ago Andy Puddicombe was ordained as a Buddhist monk. Now back in lay life, he tries to teach the benefits of meditation to the rest of us—most notably through the Headspace app, but also by writing books. Here he chooses some of the books that inspired him, from Japanese poetry to Tibetan philosophy. Not all are meditation books but they are his “old favorites.”

    The best books on Religion in China, recommended by Ian Johnson

  • Read
    The best books on Religion in China - The Religious Question in Modern China by Vincent Goossaert and David Palmer

    1

    The Religious Question in Modern China
    by Vincent Goossaert and David Palmer

  • Read
    The best books on Religion in China - Qigong Fever by David Palmer

    2

    Qigong Fever
    by David Palmer

  • Read
    The best books on Religion in China - The Missionary's Curse and Other Tales from a Chinese Catholic Village by Henrietta Harrison

    3

    The Missionary's Curse and Other Tales from a Chinese Catholic Village
    by Henrietta Harrison

  • Read
    The best books on Religion in China - Zen Baggage: A Pilgrimage to China by Bill Porter

    4

    Zen Baggage: A Pilgrimage to China
    by Bill Porter

  • Read
    The best books on Religion in China - Democracy’s Dharma: Religious Renaissance and Political Development in Taiwan by Richard Madsen

    5

    Democracy’s Dharma: Religious Renaissance and Political Development in Taiwan
    by Richard Madsen

The best books on Religion in China, recommended by Ian Johnson

China is a religious country with all kinds of faiths being practised across its vast territories—despite Mao’s attempts to eradicate them. The Chinese Communist Party tolerates a variety of religions but continues to grapple with the potential challenge they pose to its authority. Prize-winning journalist Ian Johnson introduces the best books on the complex topic of religion in China.

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We ask experts to recommend the five best books in their subject and explain their selection in an interview.

This site has an archive of more than one thousand interviews, or five thousand book recommendations. We publish at least two new interviews per week.

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