Can you recommend a good book that is an introduction to Buddhism?
I’m interested in the history and the philosophy including The Four Noble Truths and The Noble Eightfold Path. Thanks!
Buddhism Plain & Simple by Steve Hagen. Part One covers the Four Noble Truths in depth. Part Two covers the Eightfold Path itself (fourth noble truth). Part Three gets really into how these apply to the average joe. It’s written for beginning Buddhists, but people interested in Buddhism from a more academic standpoint will find it enlightening, even if they might skim parts of it. Of course, Hagen is a Zen master, so he comes from the Mahayana School. Zen considers itself the more distilled of the Buddhist sects, as well.
The Beginner’s Guide to Zen Buddhism by Jean Smith is also pretty good. It has a less in depth analysis of the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path, but still very informative. It also has other things about Zen, including its history and the history of Buddhism.
If you don’t mind e-books or online stuff, Buddhanet’s basic Buddhism guide is pretty good. It approaches it in more of a “what is Buddhism for folks who don’t know Buddhism” kind of a way. It’s also a bit broader as far as sect-specific views than the above two.
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/index.htm
My basic books are Zen. I read some a few years ago from the library that covered a few different sects, but once I settled on Zen as right for me, I didn’t keep up with those.
Introduction to Buddhism
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Buddhism Without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening
$7.14
Those with an interest in Buddhism will welcome this new book by Stephen Batchelor, former monk and author of Alone With Others and The Awakening of the West. But those who are just discovering this increasingly popular practice will have much to gain as well-for Buddhism Without Beliefs serves as a solid, straightforward introduction that demystifies Buddhism and explains simply and plainly how i…
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Introduction to Tantra : The Transformation of Desire
$9.65
According to Buddhism, every human being has the potential to achieve profound and lasting happiness. And according to the tantric teachings of Buddhism, this remarkable transformation can be realized very quickly if we utilize all aspects of our human energy, especially the energy of our desires. Introduction to Tantra is the best available clarification of a subject that is often misunderstood. …
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An Introduction to Hinduism (Introduction to Religion)
$16.79
This book provides a much-needed thematic and historical introduction to Hinduism, the religion of the majority of people in India. Dr. Flood traces the development of Hindu traditions from ancient origins and the major deities to the modern world. Hinduism as both a global religion and a form of nationalism are discussed. Emphasis is given to the tantric traditions, which have been so influential…
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