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Time for me to read another Buddhist book
shadowleaver
Veteran
Greetings to you all!
I want to do some Buddhist reading again. Does anyone know of a book that:
1. You really liked.
2. Is slightly (but not too much) above Beginner level.
3. Suitable for a sceptical Western reader.
4. Emphasizes every day life over big metaphysical questions.
I myself am a big fan of Pema Chodron's books. "The Wisdom of no Escape", "No Time to Loose" and "When Things Fall Apart" have been very helpful to me.
Thank you very much!
I want to do some Buddhist reading again. Does anyone know of a book that:
1. You really liked.
2. Is slightly (but not too much) above Beginner level.
3. Suitable for a sceptical Western reader.
4. Emphasizes every day life over big metaphysical questions.
I myself am a big fan of Pema Chodron's books. "The Wisdom of no Escape", "No Time to Loose" and "When Things Fall Apart" have been very helpful to me.
Thank you very much!
0
Comments
Three that really had an impact on me were the "Awakening Trilogy" by Lama Surya Das.
AWAKENING THE BUDDHA WITHIN: Eight Steps to Enlightenment
AWAKENING TO THE SACRED: Building a Spiritual Life from Scratch
AWAKENING THE BUDDHIST HEART: Integrating Love, Meaning and Connection into Every Part of Your Life.
They're written in an enjoyable, easily-digestible way, with anecdotes and lighthearted dialogue.
I enjoyed them, and were what I needed at the time.
Namaste
I'll definitely take a look at some of the other titles mentioned here as well.
Alan Watts is interesting if you study his personnal story but not proper Buddhism book.
The guy died an alcoholic... at least please put a warning if you are going to recommand his books.
Zen is more about what Zen is, and viewed without the attachments Zen is the same thing that all Buddhism is. It is a pointer, a guide, to seeing the true Dharma that exists beyond words and thought.
The only disclaimer, the only warning, should be on posts that digress into futile acts of self. It would be peaceful to simply acknowledge this and not wear out our welcome. Shall we lay down our arms, friend?
Namaste
Dukkha only come in the equation if we are attached and we identify with our views.
Back and forth conversations can certainly take place on any subjects in a perfectly peaceful way.
Seconded. If you go here [very first section on the left] you can read many of his teachings to get an idea of his views and method of teaching before purchasing a book.
This is a book in the Tibetan tradition.
This is a good book by an excellent teacher.
Food for the Heart is a really great book.
Alan Watts is interesting if you study his personnal story but not proper Buddhism book.
The guy died an alcoholic... at least please put a warning if you are going to recommand his books"
What exactly is a proper Western monk anyway?
That is such a shame about him dying of alcoholism. I guess we can all fall from grace and are human. In context his teachings may have been very illuminating for the period relevant to his writing. Such a shame. I feel for his death.
As for as Alan Watts dying an alcoholic...may he rest in peace. Yet I think it was relevant to bring that up. Such facts inevitably undermine one's faith in the writing but keeping them concealed smack of cult-ism. I think it's better to not embrace a teaching at all than to be hypnotized by it and to deify its carrier(s).
To me, Buddhism is ultimately about facing the truth. And part of the truth is that for all the meditating and beautiful philosophy one may still arrive at an inglamarous end. It is a very heavy truth, especially for someone just starting out on the path. But can the path be considered real and valid if one chooses to ignore some aspects of reality?
Why are people making a big deal about this?! Facing the truth? What? He didn't murder anyone, geesh.
It is not necessary to say, "I suggest books by Alan Watts, but be careful. He became an alcoholic towards the end of his life."
We could also put a warning for other people as well.
"I suggest Buddhist scriptures, but be careful. Buddha knowingly ate toxic food before he died."
"I suggest books by Nietzsche, but be careful. He became a schizophrenic before he died."
.
I recommend it. http://www.amazon.com/Way-Zen-Alan-W-Watts/dp/0375705104
it's like saying "here's a wonderful book written by this guy teaching you how to deal with your emotions; don't worry about the fact that the author ended up a pedophile by dealing with his emotions the way he did."
We could also put a warning for other people as well.
"I suggest Ajahn Chah books, but be careful. Chah became enlighten and extremely peaceful dealing with life the way he teach you in his books."
Whatsoever of Alan Watts may be discussed; his birth, his life, his alcoholism, his ultimate death.....the teachings in this book, The Way of Zen, are transmission of the Dharma and as yet there have been no posts that this transmission is somehow of itself not worthy of respect or an inaccurate picture of reality.
That's all I want to convey. I've practiced another form of Buddhism and am very familiar with it, and mostly familiar with the other traditions. The contents of The Way of Zen are in accord with the core of the teachings and my own experiential insights, though of course there are minor differences in perspective as each will have on the Dharma.
As always, believe nothing unless it accords with your own reason and your own common sense. So said the Buddha; such is the only way to see and know for yourself.
Namaste