Thanks i will check it out.http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/hands.gif

Awakening the Buddha Within by Lama Surya Das. I really like how this one outlines the Eightfold Path. I'm reading through it a second time now.

Also I like Tara Brach's Radical Acceptance for blending Buddhist practice with western psychology.

The book that helped me the most with understanding overall Buddhism was Traleg Kyabgon's "Essence of Buddhism" -- over the years I have read it a good two or three times. I highly recommend it.

Currently I am finally getting around to reading Bhikku Bodhi's "In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon" -- I love it =)

Yes, a great recomendation. Bhikkhu's commentaries are the enough needed to leave room for our personal understanding, reflection and practice.

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An extract from the book can be read here:


http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductE....asp?PID=22287


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I am currently reading Turning the Wheel of Truth - Commentary on the Buddha's First Teaching by Ajahn Sucitto .... I am finding it a very accessible, easy to read commentary on the Four Noble Truths.

What a nice thread with many wonderful suggestions!

andyrobyn - I Googled the book you mentioned and will probably pick it up. Too bad it's not available for download. Anyway, thank you. http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/grin.gif

One of the most helpful books I've read (very basic, mind you) is Buddhism for Beginners by Thubten Chodron.

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That is a shame, hope you can get a copy, librogeek .... have spent my morning curled up in bed reading my copy, I love reading from books.

"Buddhism Plain and Simple" is a good book even when it is writen by a Zen teacher I found his approach very useful to have a good idea of what the teachings of the Buddha are about.

Here

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I'm currently reading Kaarine's suggestion of Buddhism Plain & Simple. It's succinct and is written in an easily, accessible style. http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/grin.gif

Nice you can enjoy it Moonfeet!

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Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away by Ajahn Chah.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Everything-A...7270199&sr=8-4

Great book, full of wisdom and Ajahn Chah's plain speaking and humour make it very accessble.

Gosh Aloka, I can't keep up with your avatars.

Presently reading some stuff by Dhammananda; I think it might have been him who put me off Buddhism decades ago.

There is a new book out, Buddhist Wars----The dark side of Buddhism............http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...milies/bow.gif

Here are some good books that helped me when I started out...

"Words of my Perfect Teacher"

"Luminous Mind" by Kalu Rinpoche

"The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying - Updated and Expanded eddition

As I aam part of the Kagyu Lineage I have a tendancy to read books more related to it as opposed to bookd on Zen etc so these might not be of help to everyone.

"Buddhism Without Beliefs" by Stephen Batchelor is a really good easy to read book. It's transformed how I relate to the noble truths from being just an idea of why Buddhism exits to being something I do and feel. Difficult for me to put into words but It's changed everything for me and had a big impact on my life.

I would like to recommend "What the Buddha taught" By Walpola Rāhula. Every major topics of Buddhism are clearly and concisely explained.

For You the Newcomer - A Simple and Ordinary Essay on Dhamma

http://www.kanlayanatam.com/english/...ightenment.pdf

If you open the following link you will find a list of recommended books about buddhism

http://www.teachingsofthebuddha.com/...nded_books.htm

On a different thread, Element provided me with a link which includes a single chapter from Buddhadhamma, by Venerable P. A. Payutto that explains Kamma. As a beginner i found very easy to read and helped to have better understanding of Kamma and how it relates to other concepts in Buddhism.

http://www.buddhanet.net/cmdsg/kamma.htm

"Buddhism for busy people" was my first reading about buddhism few years ago http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/grin.gif

http://www.allenandunwin.com/default...=9781741752137