Book Recommendations

CONTENTS

Welcome Letter

Buddhism
    Classics
    Autobiographies and Biographies
    Modern Literature
    Children’s

Hinduism and Yoga
    Classics
    Autobiographies and Biographies
    Modern Literature

Self-help

Welcome Letter

Om Dear Reader!

As a Buddhist and a lover of books – I keep a small library myself, I know the difficulties of keeping up to date with the various categories of books as well as knowing the good old books which are still widely recommended.  Also, it is sometimes discouraging seeing 20 or so books on Buddhism when there are usually 50 to 100 times as many books on Christianity or even less in very small towns with little diversity.  While I love and encourage the practice of Christianity and believe that we should, of course, keep books which reflect the interest and makeup of our patrons, I also believe cultivating a global understanding — as we are a global people in travel, goods, services, etcetera – will help us understand ourselves in a global context and how we can evade misunderstanding others and so be grateful for the world in which we live and, since we are talking about religion, a way beyond it.  For religion, I find going to the source – the celibate women and men whom have dedicated every lifetime (for there is belief in reincarnation in these religions) – helpful and so most authors are earlier or are now celibate monastics.  So I keep a guide on Buddhism and Hinduism which contain excellent books I very much hope you will consider adding to your library (attached), or even consider reading personally.

Blessings and Lovingkindness,
Vishnu Das
goldendeersangha.wordpress.com
vishnudassivananda@gmail.com

BUDDHISM

Classics (for libraries with patrons interested in advanced Buddhist studies)

Bhikkhu Bodhi, the world’s foremost English translator of Buddhist scripture, has numerous works and this book contains a compilation of the Buddhist Suttas (or scriptures) from the next three books mentioned.  The Buddhist Canon is similar to the Bible in regard and the following three books are a part of the Buddhist Canon, containing scriptures from one of the three Buddhist “turnings of the wheel”, the Theravadan (others are Mahayanan such as Zen and Vajrayanan such as Tibetan Buddhism).

1. In the Buddha’s Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon, Bhikkhu Bodhi.
   
2. The Connected Discourses of the Buddha (Samyutta Nikaya), Bhikkhu Bodhi
   
3. The Long Discourses of the Buddha (Digh Nikaya), Maurice Walsch.
   
4. The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha (Majjhima Nikaya), Bhikkhu Nanamoli.
   
5. The First Free Women: Original Poems Inspired by the Early Buddhist Nuns (Therigatha), Matty Weingast.
   The Therigatha is a book of poetry by some of the first nuns which ordained within the Buddhist sangha, or community.

Autobiographies and Biographies

1. Freedom in Exile, His Holiness the Dalai Lama
   Ever wonder what the saying “Free Tibet” is all about or want to read more about it?  This is the autobiography of The Dalai Lama, a patriarchic ruler and most loved ruler of Tibet forced from his country by Chinese invasion.
   
2. Old Path White Clouds, Thay Thich Nhat Hanh
   The biography of the Buddha.

Modern Literature

1. How To Meditate, Pema Chodron. A great beginner book for people looking to learn meditation, devote time to themselves and learn to remove the habitual mental tendencies which cause suffering in mind and actions, and to generate happiness. Pema Chodron is an abbess at Gampo Abbey in Canada.
   
2. Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings (Seastone), Kornfield & Borg.
   A look into the commonalities between Christian and Buddhist teachings by reknown authors.
   
3. Interbeing, Thay Thich Nhat Hanh
   We have a habit of asking “What are you doing?,” but Thay responds, “I am not a human doing, I am a human being.”  When there is a doer and what is done, there is duality, but oneness requires being and this book describes the vows involved which foster oneness in life – vows which are a modern interpretation of the Buddhist Vinaya adapted to modernity developed by living closely with Buddhist monastics and practicing Buddhism.
   
4. The Noble Eightfold Path, Bhikkhu Bodhi.
   An introduction to the Buddha’s second teaching (The Four Noble Truths being the first, also included in the book), this book by one of the most reknown Buddhist authors contains the fundamental teachings of Buddhism.
   
5. The Art of Happiness, His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
   An excellent book with a psychological and spiritual approach to Buddhism in modern life with a global perspective.  The candor, humility and love of His Holiness and his co-author will engender the reader with the sense of warmth, just like his other books.
   
6. Beyond Religion: Ethics For A Whole World, Dalai Lama.
   Depending on your beliefs, for those whom have lost their religion or found truth in Science/Secular Ethics, this book explains the ethical principles required for a happy life and global civilization’s happy survival.
   
7. Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche.
   We go to church or temple and we feel at peace.  The feeling even lingers at home for awhile, but we slip back into our day to day routine as the stress rebuilds and the feelings of peace and absolution dissipate – unless we cultivate our religion within.  This book is about how to get beyond attributing spirituality to materialism and understanding, from a psychological and Religious approach, Buddhism.  Written by Naropa University’s founder, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, a Lama which moved to Boulder, Colorado and founded the University in 1974.
   
8. How to See Yourself as you Really Are, His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
   An extensive book (or look for the audiobook), on Buddhism from a psychological approach and from a practical (as in Buddhist meditation practice) approach, this book focuses on happiness and
   the causes of happiness, how to cultivate them and maintain them, including unconditional love.
   
9. Lama Surya Das, Awakening the Buddha Within.
   A Jewish Buddhist whom left the states to spend much time in the Tibetan Buddhist countries practicing deeply within the monastic traditions, Lama Surya Das shares his understanding of the Buddhist Dzogchen tradition from an easy-to-understand writing style full with stories, inspiring poems, exercises and insightful explanations of the Buddhist Dharma.
   
10. Dakini’s Warm Breath: The Feminine Principle in Tibetan Buddhism, Judith Simmer-Brown.
    The feminine plays an important role in Buddhism as protector, compassionate one, or even fierce warrior.  A professor at Naropa, the Buddhist University founded by reincarnate Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, earlier a Lama, writes about the feminine within the male and female and such femininity as a possible venue of spiritual realization rather than the inadequate interpretions: “a psychological “shadow,” a feminine savior, or an objectified product of patriarchal fantasy.”
    
11. Buddhism beyond Gender: Liberation from Attachment to Identity, Rita M. Gross.
    Sexism was common in religion and still there is some discrimination, though women are invariably greater in number in our civilization and “all beings were at some time our mother” is a belief in Buddhism.  The idea of being female or male in sex, identity, or gender, requires careful examination and without equity there cannot be peace within or without marital, monastic and other social relations.  We develop behavior and ideas which attach to the ideas “male” or “female,” but the identity formations may not necessarily be the most logical at relieving suffering, so how can we part from our identity formations?
    
12. A Path Strewn with Flowers and Bones, Tulku Sherdor.
    Buddhist practice is often glorified when there are “dark” parts or muted when there are great triumphs.  Lama Sherab Dorje shares his story in this biography which is a testimony that from the times of practicing through suffering is born some of our greatest insight.  Acknowledged as a reincarnate Lama, Tulku Sherab Dorje’s story contains the humble confidence of a Tulku – someone whom remembers his past life, while trying to evade the suffering and remember how he cultivated happiness.

Children’s & Teens

1. Anh’s Anger, Gail Silver
   A very present and feel-good children’s book by frequent Buddhist practitioners from Thay Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village monstic system, Anh’s Anger is a cool-down book to read with any child before, during or after life’s angrier moments.
   
2. A Handful of Quiet: Happiness in Four Pebbles, Thich Nhat Hanh
   A book to develop attention and mental stillness within children – mindfulness within children by exercising attention and silence, mental muscles required for emotional health and intellectual development.
   
3. Buddha, Osamu Tezuka *Great for teens
   A manga, Tezuka’s unique interpretation of the life of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism by one of the founders of Japanese Animation. The critically acclaimed series is often referred to as a visually entertaining yet humorous and thought-provoking portrayal of the Buddha’s life; the series itself has become a staple text in Buddhist temples for young adults and teens to learn about the Buddha’s life (Godart 2013). The series began in September 1972 and ended in December 1983, as one of Tezuka’s last epic manga works. *This book contains renderings of topless characters which, traditional to India at the time, should, rather than explicit, be regarded as any other art, similar to National Geographic, especially being religious.

Buddhism & Science

1. The Universe in a Single Atom, Gail Silver. A .
   
2. Science and Philosophy in the Indian Buddhist Classics (4-book series), Thubten Jinpa and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. For those with a philosophical understanding of Buddhism already, this series covers a cast range of Buddhist scientific and philosophical understanding including the source of the human experience from both a mythical-psychological and material-physical perspective, the spiritual development of the human body prior birth, and various metaphysical analysis.
   

HINDUISM & YOGA

Classics
Within Hinduism are the classics written by Vyasa, the Mahabarata (of which part is the Ramayana) and the Srimad Bhagavatam (of which the Bhagavad Gita is a part)  These books are where we see the many names of Hinduism and deities of the Hindu Pantheon intentionally demonstrating the principles of the earlier works of India after which they were written – the Vedas.

These books are by the Hare Krishnas and contain the most excellent method of the original Sanskrit, a transliteration, translation and purport.

1. Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Srila Prabhupada
   
2. Srimad Bhagavatam (30 Book Set), Srila Prabhupada
   (this organization will give you the books at an affordable price, Vivaswan Das 813-971-6474 – Tampa, FL)

These are a novel interpretation of the Ramayana and Mahabarata:

1. Mahabarata, Krishna Dharma.
2. Ramayana, Krishna Dharma.

Yoga is not an aerobic exercise, in fact, the yoga positions or “asanas” are only one part of yoga (the others being proper breathing, diet, meditation and positive thinking, and relaxation).  These scriptures are essential for any practitioners of yoga, adept or beginner.

1. Raja Yoga, Swami Vivekananda.
2. Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Swatmarama.

Autobiographies
Inspiring lives from world-saving Hindus and Yogis.

1. Ghandi, Mahatma Ghandi.
   A book of understanding self-discipline and that justice is not always something found within government, but often something which one must procure by standing up for oneself and others.  While the book is not particularly revealing of religious practice, Ghandi was a deeply religious man and the principles of ahimsa – nonviolence, and satya – truthfulness, are apparent in this work.
   
2. Autobiography of a Yogi, Paramahamsa Yogananda.
   Visions, levitating saints, psychic connections, travels and travails throughout India and all the while growing faith, Autobiography of a Yogi is an essential for any Westerner (and a fun read otherwise) whom needs a religio-cultural crash course into Indian faith first-person.

Modern Literature

1. Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga, Swami Vishnudevananda (530-272-9322)
   A practicable guide meant to be put into practice with instructions for yoga practice (breath and posture), and philosophy to live by, the CIBY is one of the best books from an international Ashrama (yoga monastery) system which still adheres to yoga being a spiritual science best practiced alongside religion rather than considered a physical culture or exercise.
   
2. Meditation and Mantras, Swami Vishnudevananda (530-272-9322)
   There were fads in the 60’s and 70’s about meditation and mantras and attaining enlightenment, but just as the rosary is prominent in Christianity, the Japa Mala or prayer beads of Indian and Asian religious practice and the prayers which go along with them are no fad, but a practice which originated thousands of years ago.  Meditation too, even older.  Swami Vishnu Devananda explains the practice of Japa (prayer) with mantra and meditation in his confident and easy-to-read writing style.
   
3. Brahmacharya (celibacy), Swami Sivananda
   Celibacy greatly increases the spiritual progress of any practitioner and Brahmacharya describes the benefits, philosophy of and methods about lifelong Brahmacharya and Brahmacharya in preparation for marriage and childbirth.
   

SELF-HELP

1. You Can Change Your Life by Louise Hay
2. You Can Change Your Life Workbook by Louise Hay