I've heard books by the Dali Lama are good as well, but I haven't read any. Also, if you want to read sutras I suggest "In the Buddha's Words" by Bhikku Bodi for an anthology of the Pali or Theravada Cannon. Also, Red Pine's translation and commentary on the Heart Sutra is very good. Also I've heard Stephen Bachelor's "Buddhism without beliefs" is good if you'd like a non-religious take on it. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

Yay.

Pavement by Lin Jensen
Walking up to what you do by Diane Eshin Rezzetto
The Heart of Being by John Daido Loori
Being Upright by Reb Anderson

Last edited Mon Jun 11, 2012, 06:22 PM - Edit history (1)

Very user-friendly.

Also highly recommended as more of a self-help/psychology book than a book about Buddhism per se: The Misleading Mind. Super good.

"A path with heart: a guide through the perils and promises of spiritual life" is a great primer for anyone.

He has translated all the discourses except the Numbered discourses. They are coming out in the fall. I recommend the introductory volume, In the Buddha's Words.

Others: The Buddha is Still Teaching:Contemporary Buddhist Wisdom, ed by Jack Kornfield

When Things fall Apart, by Pema Chodron

The Noble Eightfold Path, by Bhikkhu Bodhi

Awakening to the Sacred, Lama Surya Das

Daily wisdom, More Daily Wisdom, and Nightly wisdom, pub. by Wisdom Publications (www.wisdompubs.org)

by Thich Nhat Hanh

and the book is very reasonably priced.

I carry this one with me whenever I travel to keep me centered/balanced... it's easy to open to any page and immediately gain perspective.

I'm reading "Tannisho: A Shin Buddhist Classic" right now.

Here's an exerpt from Amazon.com.
By the way, I always buy my books (cheaper) at http://www.abebooks.com/AbeBooks.com
]
"Tannisho is a compilation of key sayings by the great medieval Japanese Buddhist teacher, Shinran Shonin (1173-1263 C.E.), who first promulgated Shin Buddhism. Tannisho is, one might say, the Shin Buddhist equivalent of the famous Dhammapada from the Pali canon. Shin Buddhism is the largest sect of Buddhism in Japan, and there is a fair number of temples in the denser population areas of USA, Canada and Europe. Tannisho dates from around 1300, or a few decades after Shinran's death."

various authors, and a forward by Herbie Hancock.

I would recommend the following:

Being and Becoming: Psychodynamics, Buddhism, and the Origins of Selfhood - Franklyn Sills

The Heart of Buddhist Meditation: Satipatthna: A Handbook of Mental Training Based on the Buddha's Way of Mindfulness - Thera Nyanaponika

The Four Foundations of Mindfulness - Venerable U Silananda

These three are a bit less well-known and popular, however, I have found them to be of great value.

I've just finished reading An Open Heart Practising Compassion in Everyday Life. Actually, I have read this book thrice. This book is amazing that tells about all the little good things in life and teaches the value of compassion and kindness. It always puts me at ease and brings me a lot of peace when I read it.

Here is an excerpt of this book from printsasia:

"When His Holiness the Dalai Lama came to New York City in 1999, he spoke simply and powerfully on the everyday Buddhist practice of compassion, and showed that the pathway to compassion is a series of meditations. An Open Heart lays out this course of meditations, from the simplest to the most challenging, describing the mental training techniques that will enable anyone of any Faith to change their minds and open their hearts. In this Book, the path begins with simple and clear ruminations on the advantages of virtuous life and moves on to practices that can temper destructive and impulsive emotions. Such practices can be undertaken at odd moments of the day, at once transforming the aimless or anxious mind into a disciplined and open mind. Gradually, the book introduces the more challenging and sustained Meditation practices. In these meditations the deepest and most profound insights of Buddhist practice become part of one's way of knowing and experiencing the world."

is the Foremost author of easily applicable Buddhist wisdom today for all levels of practitioners , definitely the widest spectrum of teachings. i started with a tape set of "When Things Fall Apart".. I was a hopeless alcoholic, I listened to it twice a day, also got her Tonglin books/tapes, and many other teachers. I began a dedicated meditation practice and study, I was in Texas, not many Buddhists. after 3 months I ran into a Tibetan Monk in his robes, he invited me to a Mandela disassembly, and later to join a Chenrezig Tibetan Buddhist Center. I am now sober 16 years, never had a craving, I never think about it. other authors are more subject specific.. not that that is bad, I have books from most the authors mentioned here.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_4?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=pema%20chodron

depends on what you are looking for... technique, method, insight, inspiration.
book on meditation.. 'Diamond Mind' by Rob Narin and the best/most in depth is 'Buddhism With an Attitude', by B Allen Wallace http://www.amazon.com/Buddhism-Attitude-Tibetan-Seven-Point-Training/dp/1559392002/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360973044&sr=1-1&keywords=buddhism+with+an+attitude

books by him, is the Dalia Lama's translator.. http://www.amazon.com/B.-Alan-Wallace/e/B001IGHPQ2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Buddhism is not a religion, it is simply a way to live without acquiring more bad Karma while you train your mind to focus and see/experience life in the present moment. the Heart Sutra is the primary document in the Mahayana Tradition. it describes the purpose of meditation.. to be able to perceive the world with no difference between Object and Subject. Buddhism is based on a single simple logical statement called the 4 Noble Truths

go to http://www.buddhanet.net [Theravada Buddhism] huge site, check out the Buddhanet Audio section, great way to sample teachers, great teachings,
Lama Zopa's site has great audio teachings too