Most readers come to Buddhism through one of two doors: a clear introduction to the Buddha's teaching as preserved in the early texts, or a modern teacher's practical guide to meditation. Both are worth reading alongside a translation of the early discourses themselves.
Where to start
What the Buddha Taught — Walpola Rahula, 1959. The classic short introduction from the Theravada tradition.
In the Buddha's Words — Bhikkhu Bodhi, 2005. An anthology of the Pali discourses arranged as a course.
Buddhism: Its Essence and Development — Edward Conze, 1951. A scholarly overview across the traditions.
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind — Shunryu Suzuki, 1970. Talks on Zen practice that remain the standard first Zen book.
Books on Buddhism & Meditation in stock (28)
The Heritage of The Bhikkhu by Walpola Rahula — $28.49 The Heritage of the Bhikkhu: A Short History of the Bhikkhu in Educational, Cultural, Social, and Political Life is a study by Walpola Rahula, published by Grove Press, New York, in the Evergreen paperback series (1974).
Four Famous Buddhist Mountains by China Travel & Tourism Press — $28.49 Four Famous Buddhist Mountains is an illustrated English-language book published by China Travel & Tourism Press in 1991.
Curators of the Buddha by Donald S. Lopez Jr. — $12.61 Curators of the Buddha: The Study of Buddhism under Colonialism is a collection of essays edited by Donald S. Lopez, Jr., published by the University of Chicago Press in 1995.
The Way of Life: Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching: A New Translation by R. B. Blakney — $28.49 The Way of Life is R. B. Blakney's English translation of the Tao Te Ching attributed to Lao Tzu, issued as a Mentor Religious Classic paperback by the New American Library (New York) in 1955.
Nāgārjuna: The Philosophy of the Middle Way by David J. Kalupahana — $28.49 Nāgārjuna: The Philosophy of the Middle Way is David J. Kalupahana's 1986 edition of Nāgārjuna's Mūlamadhyamakakārikā, published by State University of New York Press.
Ceaseless Echoes of the Great Silence: A Commentary on the Heart Sutra by Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche, Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche — $28.49 Ceaseless Echoes of the Great Silence: A Commentary on the Heart Sutra Prajnaparamita is a Buddhist commentary by Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche, published by Dharma Samudra in 2012…
Buddhism in Sinhalese society, 1750-1900 by Kitsiri Malalgoda — $46.21 Buddhism in Sinhalese Society, 1750-1900: A Study of Religious Revival and Change is a historical study by Kitsiri Malalgoda, published by the University of California Press in 1976.
Tao-sheng's commentary on the Lotus Sūtra by Young Ho Kim — $16.13 A study and translation of the Chinese Buddhist monk Daosheng's (Tao-sheng, died 434) commentary on the Lotus Sutra, by Young-ho Kim (SUNY Press, 1990, SUNY Series in Buddhist Studies).
Buddhism after patriarchy by Rita M. Gross — $5.72 Buddhism after Patriarchy: A Feminist History, Analysis, and Reconstruction of Buddhism by Rita M. Gross (State University of New York Press, 376 pages).
Dogens Manuals Of Zen Meditation by Carl Bielefeldt — $6.34 Dōgen's Manuals of Zen Meditation by Carl Bielefeldt (University of California Press, 1990) studies and translates the meditation writings of the Japanese Sōtō Zen master Dōgen.
The Inner Science of Buddhist Practice by Artemus B. Engle — $20.90 The Inner Science of Buddhist Practice by Artemus B. Engle, published by Snow Lion in 2009.
History of Zen Buddhism by Heinrich Dumoulin — $8.23 A History of Zen Buddhism by Heinrich Dumoulin, the German Jesuit scholar of Zen, traces the tradition from its roots in India and China through its development in Japan.
Philip's Senoia by Allan Menzies — $28.49 The Religions of India: Brahmanism and Buddhism is a short handbook by the Rev. Allan Menzies, D.D., published in London by J. M. Dent and Co. in the Temple Series of Bible Characters and Scripture Handbooks, edited by…
The Buddhist Religion: A Historical Introduction by Richard H. Robinson — $7.77 The Buddhist Religion: A Historical Introduction is a survey of Buddhism by Richard H. Robinson of the Department of Indian Studies, University of Wisconsin, published by Dickenson Publishing Company in 1970.
Thai Buddhism: Its Rites and Activities by Kenneth E. Wells — $47.49 Thai Buddhism: Its Rites and Activities is a study of Theravada Buddhist practice in Thailand by Kenneth E. Wells, published in 1960 by The Christian Bookstore (Bangkok).
The Life of Buddha by A. Ferdinand Herold — $8.24 The Life of Buddha by A. Ferdinand Herold, published by Charles E. Tuttle Company in 1954.
Tolerance: A Study from Buddhist Sources by Phra Khantipalo — $11.85 Tolerance: A Study from Buddhist Sources by Phra Khantipalo, first edition, published by Rider & Company in 1964.
Leaves of the heaven tree by K. Semendra, Padma-Chos-Phel — $22.06 Leaves of the Heaven Tree: The Great Compassion of the Buddha, by Kshemendra and Padma Chos-phel, translated by Deborah Black (Dharma Publishing, 1997, 512 pages).
Mirrors of Indian Buddhism by K. Krishna Murthy — $31.35 Mirrors of Indian Buddhism, by K. Krishna Murthy, published by Sundeep Prakashan, Delhi (1991), 119 pages.
On the Theory of Pure Consciousness by Fancheng Xu — $15.20 On the Theory of Pure Consciousness by Fancheng Xu (F. C. Hsu), published in English by New World Press, Beijing, in 1990.