![\"guanyin-painting\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/81\/2016\/02\/guanyin-painting.jpg\")
<\/a>\nTHIRTY-THREE BOOKS ON ZEN & BUDDHISM<\/strong><\/p>\n
An Introduction to the Ways for Western Readers<\/p>\n
A friend asked if I could recommend a bookshelf full of books on Zen. I could\u2026 FOUNDATIONS<\/p>\n The Buddha<\/strong>, Karen Armstrong (An accessible biography. For a review<\/a>. <\/em>)<\/p>\n Historical Buddha<\/strong>, H.W. Schumann (A, perhaps the academic biography. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n What the Buddha Taught<\/strong>, Rahula Wapola (Good overview of Theravada Buddhist<\/a> doctrines. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n In the Buddha\u2019s Words<\/strong>, Bhikkhu Bodhi, editor (substantial anthology culled from the Pali canon by one of the foremost Western Theravada monastics. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n First Buddhist Women<\/strong>, Susan Murcott (Anthology of stories of the earliest women Buddhist practitioners. Not a review, but a great article<\/a>.<\/em>)<\/p>\n ZEN EMERGES<\/p>\n Roaring Stream: a New Zen Reader<\/strong>, Nelson Foster & Jack Shoemaker, editors (An anthology of historic Zen personalities and their teachings. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n The Hidden Lamp<\/strong>, Florence Caplow & Susan Moon, editors (Reclaiming the women of Zen\u2019s history. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n Seeing Through Zen<\/strong>, John Mcrae (A concise description of the emergence of Zen in China. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n The Platform Sutra<\/strong>, Philip Yampolsky, trs (The foundational myth of Zen. Not a review but it is referenced in this good article<\/a>.<\/em>)<\/p>\n Moon in a Dewdrop: Writings of Zen Master Dogen<\/strong>, Kazuaki Takahashi, editor (as the subtitles says, an introduction to Eihei Dogen. Not a review, but a good brief introduction<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n ZEN PRACTICE<\/p>\n The Art of Just Sitting<\/strong>, Daido Loori, editor (anthology of writings about zazen, shikantaza, silent illumination. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n Book of Mu<\/strong>, James Ishmael Ford & Myozen Blacker, editors (anthology of writings on the \u201cfirst\u201d koan. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n Sitting With Koans<\/strong>, Daido Loori, editor (anthology of writings about koan introspection. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n On Zen Practice<\/strong>, Taizan Maezumi (a classic overview of Zen practice. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n ZEN IN THE WEST<\/p>\n Encouraging Words<\/strong>, Robert Aitken (reflections of one of the first Western Zen masters. Not a review but an interesting obituary<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n Saying Yes to Life<\/strong>, Ezra Bayda with Josh Bartok (aphorisms on the Zen way.For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n Everyday Zen<\/strong>, Joko Beck (a spare and compelling introduction to Zen as a way of life. Not a review but a lovely reflection<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n If You\u2019re Lucky, Your Heart Will Break<\/strong>, James Ford (Memoir and guidance of a contemporary Western Zen teacher. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n Being Peace<\/strong>, Thich Nhat Hanh (a solid introduction to the teaching of the Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n Three Pillars of Zen<\/strong>, Philip Kapleau, editor (The first book in English to engage Zen as a spiritual discipline. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n Ordinary Mind<\/strong>, Barry Magid (engaging meeting of Buddhism, Zen, and Western psychology. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n Living by Vow<\/strong>, Shohaku Okumura (A Western classic on the Zen way. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n This Truth Never Fails<\/strong>, David Rynick (a meditation on life from a contemporary Zen teacher. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n The Whole World is a Single Flower<\/strong>, Seung Sahn (talks by the great Korean Zen teacher. Not a review, but a taste of the teacher<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n Zen Mind, Beginner\u2019s Mind<\/strong>, Shunryu Suzuki (The first Western Zen spiritual classic. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n Don\u2019t Be a Jerk<\/strong>, Brad Warner (a very readable introduction to Eihei Dogen\u2019s teachings in our contemporary idiom. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n MODERN BUDDHIST THOUGHT <\/p>\n Buddhism Without Beliefs<\/strong>, Stephen Batchelor (The breakthrough challenge of modernist Buddhism. For some reviews<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n After Buddhism<\/strong>, Stephen Batchelor (A comprehensive reflection on a \u201csecular\u201d Buddhism. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n Buddha Eye: Anthology of the Kyoto School & It\u2019s Contemporaries<\/strong>, Frederick Franck, editor (An introduction to the Kyoto School, Japanese philosophers trained in Rinzai Zen and Western philosophical categories. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n ZEN ETHICS AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT<\/p>\n Mind of Clover<\/strong>, Robert Aitken (the first overview in English of ethics from a Zen Buddhist perspective. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n Being Upright<\/strong>, Reb Anderson (a lovely engagement of the Zen precept. For a review<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n New Social Face of Buddhism<\/strong>, Ken Jones (the classic review of the call of social justice from a Buddhist perspective. Not a review, but an appreciation<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n Waking Up to What You Do<\/strong>, Dianne Rizzetto (A practical guide to engaging Zen ethics. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n Radical Dharma<\/strong>, angel kyodo williams, Rod Owens & Jasmine Syedullah (Buddhism in the West and race, critical reflections. For a review<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n
\n<\/em><\/p>\n