Here are a couple very prejudiced, very sincere answers, albeit with a shameless plug for my own. This book covers all factions of buddhism around the world and may be one of the most comprehensive introductory books to buddhism. This accessible volume covers both the teachings of the buddha and the in. If youre new to buddhism and trying to find the best buddhist book for a beginner, you might be overwhelmed by the amount of books available. The miracle of mindfulness shows up on a lot of lists for meditation books, and for good reason. A very short introduction very short introductions ebook. An introduction to the buddhas life, teachings, and practices by joan duncan oliver. Hinduism is practised by nearly eighty per cent of indias population, and by some seventy million people outside india. The buddhist path to simplicity by christina feldman womens buddhism, buddhism s women by ellison banks findly.
To bring us to this state, buddhism points us to lasting values in this impermanent world, and gives us valuable information about how things really are. Incorrect book the list contains an incorrect book please specify the title of the book. A very short introduction to buddhism is one of the best shortform books on buddhism i have read. A very short introduction very short introductions book online at best prices in india on.
Following in the buddhas footsteps, buddhists seek to reach nirvana, or enlightenment, a state of transcendence free from suffering, desire and the cycle of death and rebirth. A very short introduction damien keown oxford academic oxford university press loading. A very short introduction, follows the same format as other texts in the very short introduction series it has fewer than 150 pages. What the buddha taught is the best intro to buddhism book ive read yet, i highly recommend it. In this very short introduction, kim knott offers a succinct and authoritative overview of this major religion, and analyses the challenges facing it in the twentyfirst century.
There are several major types of buddhism and the teachings covered in this book are common to many of. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new. An introduction to the buddhas life, teachings, and practices the essential wisdom library by joan duncan oliver duration. Best buddhism books for beginners how to learn the buddhist. As the title suggests, this book is a very short, pocketsized intro to key buddhist concepts. The best books on introductions to buddhism five books. This book is intended for an audience of undergraduates, buddhist practitioners looking for an overview of the tradition, and readers with a. Addresses controversial contemporary ethical issues from an uptodate and intelligent perspective. This 436page book features primary sources such as photos, maps, essays and personal narratives by renowned buddhists. Has chapters on buddha, karma, rebirth, ethics, meditation, art, a short timeline and, as many books in the series have, a list of books for further reading. He is also editor of the journal of buddhist ethics and coeditor of the curzon critical studies in buddhism series.
Damien keons very short introduction to buddhism is a wonderful book written in a wellstructured way, to cover all the historic, geographic, as well as the religious, philosophical, ethical and social aspects of the buddhist religionphilosophy. A very short introduction, follows the same format as other texts in the very short. This is a book you will constantly be coming back to, if you decide to keep pursuing buddhism that is, for it contains all of the essentials imo. An introduction to the practice of meditation by thich nhat hanh. Inappropriate the list including its title or description facilitates illegal activity, or contains hate speech or ad hominem attacks on a fellow goodreads member or author. Heart of the buddhas teachings, for overview of philosophy making space, for setting up home meditation both by thich nhat hanh who also has a te. It is not necessary to believe in heavens or hells, in gods, demons, or ghosts, or even in rebirth or reincarnation in. A very short introduction damien keown very short introductions. He is also editor of the journal of buddhist ethics and coeditor. A very short introduction by damien keown goodreads. What are the best introductory books about buddhism. Despite being short 151 pages it covers all of the most important teachings very well. Unsubscribe from oxford academic oxford university press.
General general recommendations introductory books basic introductions. Although the religious aspects of buddhism are discussed, i am far more interested in presenting buddhisms philosophical and psychological side. Slow down, help out, wake up by koshin paley ellison. The latter half of the twentieth century witnessed a growing interest in buddhism, and it continues to capture the imagination of many in the west who see it as either an alternative or a supplement to their own religious beliefs. We are so fortunate in the west to have so many great buddhist books available for us to read. This paperback as one of the very short introduction series should interest those keen on buddhism or in search of more clear understanding on the complexities regarding its. Here are some of the best buddhism books for beginners. The goal of buddhism is a state of lasting, unconditional happiness known as enlightenment. This very short introduction offers readers a superb overview of the teachings of the buddha, as well as a succinct guide to the integration of. Founded by siddhartha gautama, later known as the buddha, circa the 5th century bce, buddhism outlines a path of personal spiritual enrichment through meditation and insight. Damien keown is reader in buddhism at goldsmiths college, university of london. Buddhism arose from within hinduism as a protest movement and in turn profoundly influenced the directional development of modern hinduism. Some very short books about buddhism the buddhist centre.
When we hosted a discussion titled what led you to buddhism. A very short introduction by damien keown waterstones. His books on buddhism include dictionary of buddhism and buddhist ethics. By considering how buddhist thought has developed over the centuries, keown considers how. A very short introduction very short introductions 8601404328893. Gives a short introduction about the basics of buddhism, the history within asia, and its interaction and history with european culture and american culture. These pocketsized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly.
A very short introduction 2e very short introductions 2 by keown, damien isbn. A very short introduction introduces the reader to the teachings of the buddha and to the workings of buddhism in daily life. Geshe kelsang gyastos book an introduction to buddhism, distills all the basic, essential components of buddhist thought and philosophy into a short, concise, clear, easy to read text that leaves the reader wanting to find out more about these beautiful teachings. Damien keown looks at the distinctive features of buddhism, examining who the buddha was and what his teachings were. Keowns skill in explaining complex ideas and the books clarity of structure and.
For its succinct length, author damien keown also manages to cover a fair bit of buddhism s history as he explores the buddhas life, the origins of main concepts e. Hinduism for beginners an concise introduction to the eternal path to liberation by. A very short introduction, oxford university press, 2014. An introductory book on basic buddhist teachings written in very clear language. Best buddhism books for beginners how to learn the. Songs and stories from the therigatha by susan murcott. Keown has taught buddhism at an introductory level for many years, and in this book he provides a lively, challenging response to these. Within the pali canon of theravada buddhism, there is one book called the therigathathe verses of the women elders. This is the 2nd book on buddhism in the a very short introduction series vsi by oup. A very short introduction, follows the same format as other texts in the very short introduction series it has fewer than 150 pages, is well indexed, has a useful glossary, accessible and enjoyable narrative, and captures the essence in a very short space the major points of.
Best intro to buddhism book download pdf books to iphone, in the west, many of us begin our journey in buddhism by reading a book. In this book, thich nhat hanh offers practical suggestions. While reading through the discussion from people of many different backgrounds and. A very short introduction, follows the same format as other texts in the very short introduction. Spam or selfpromotional the list is spam or selfpromotional. To make life easier for you, ive compiled a list of my top 8 picks that i recommend for beginners. Over the years i have read many great books from all the three schools of buddhism. Part of a series by oxford university press, this book, buddhism. Varun soni, dean of religious life at the university of southern california, explains the fourth largest religion in the world, buddhism. Most books available on hinduism in bookshops in the west today are written by non.
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