“In separateness lies the world’s greatest misery; in compassion lies the world’s true strength.”
Over 535 million people (roughly 7-8% of the global population) practice Buddhism. One of the world’s largest religions, Buddhism can trace its roots back over 2,500 years in India. Buddhists believe that human life is one of anguish and suffering and, through meditation, good behaviour and spiritual and physical labour one can achieve enlightenment (or ‘nirvana’). To learn more about this religious practice, check out these great books on Buddhism at What We Reading that cover everything from essential Buddhist beliefs, to the teachings of its leaders and how these practices can be applied in everyday life!
Buddhism For Beginners – Thubten Chodron
Thubten Chodron aims to introduce everything from ‘What is a Buddhist’s goal?’, ‘What is karma’ to ‘How to practice meditation’ plus every other fundamental aspect of the Buddhist faith in Buddhism for Beginners.
Taking the most basic questions about religion and delivering answers in straightforward English, Chodron’s book is one of the best in the business for those looking to get their heads around everything they need to know about Buddhism. A practical guide filled with accessible information, this is the perfect entry-level resource as well as a valuable reader for veterans looking for answers to the most commonly asked questions involved with Buddhism.
The Heart Of The Buddha’s Teaching: Transforming Suffering Into Peace, Joy, And Liberation – Thich Nhat Hanh
In The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching, author Thich Nhat Hanh imparts clarity and wisdom on the nature of suffering, and how it can lead to a heightened understanding of compassion, empathy, love, joy and all other aspects of enlightenment. Not only does Nhat Hanh introduce readers to the core principles of Buddhism in this book on Buddhism, but also how applicable they are in their everyday lives.
Covering everything from the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, the Three Doors of Liberation, the Three Dharma Seals, and the Seven Factors of Awakening, The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching is an invaluable resource for followers and non-followers alike.
Why Buddhism Is True: The Science And Philosophy Of Meditation And Enlightenment – Robert Wright
In his acclaimed 2017 book on Buddhism, Robert Wright guides readers through an illuminating journey through psychology, philosophy and how the power of meditation can lead to a more spiritual and peaceful life. Ambitious in its endeavours and refreshingly accessible in its delivery, Wright once again serves as an invaluable tutor in how contemporary life is designed to make fulfilment impossible to attain.
However, through the practice of Buddhism, he argues the human mind holds the key to unshackeling itself from anxiety, anger and depression and carve out an existence that is truly content. A great book for introducing the aims of Buddhism and what its effects can do for its followers, Why Buddhism Is True is an absolute must-read for anyone looking to learn more about this ancient religion.
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The Book Of Joy: Lasting Happiness In A Changing World – Dalai Lama XIV And Desmond Tutu
Born out of a celebratory week-long meeting in Dharamsala between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, The Book of Joy is a self-help guide designed to help readers find the joy in life by utilising compassion, humour and love. Both Nobel Prize winners, these two men remain two of the most influential spiritual leaders of their generation, and their infectious enthusiasm led to lives where joy and happiness triumphed over personal and nationwide adversity.
Translated by Douglas Abrams, The Book of Joy is split into three parts: both the Dalai Lama and Tutu’s own personal stories about joy, the latest in scientific understandings of the emotion and how daily practices can foster a life anchored by it.
A Monk’s Guide To Happiness: Meditation In The 21st Century – Gelong Thubten
In our contemporary lives, we often go searching for happiness through external means: a bigger house, a better promotion, more followers on social media etc. However, in A Monk’s Guide to Happiness, Buddhist Monk Gelong Thubten guides readers through a more practical and sustainable approach to happiness. Having taught as a meditation expert, Thubten dismantles the myth that life is too busy for meditation.
Instead, he offers insights into how to develop compassion for yourself and others, how micro-meditation can be included in everyday routines and how to discover that everyone is ‘hard-wired’ to happiness. One of the best Buddhist books, Thubten’s work is a revolutionary self-help read into spirituality and your relationship with your thoughts and emotions.
The Story of Buddhism – Donald S. Lopez Jr
Leading Buddhist scholar Donald S. Lopez Jr. presents one of the most comprehensive guides to the history and practices of the religion in his 2001 book, The Story of Buddhism. Spanning over 2,500 years, Lopez Jr. traces back the roots of Buddhism, exploring how it has morphed and evolved in the years since.
Branching off into many different schools of thought, The Story of Buddhism covers everything from the development of monastic life to the core tenets of the Buddhist religion and the life of the Buddha. Blending fascinating stories with expert scholarly insights, the end result is a sometimes humorous, sometimes miraculous insight into the history of Buddhism and Buddhist life.
Buddhism Without Belief – Stephen Batchelor
A national bestseller and still one of the best books on Buddhism for beginners, Stephen Batchelor emphasises some of the core realities behind the Buddha in Buddhism without Belief.
Instead of being a divine deity with a claimed esoteric knowledge of the universe, Batchelor explains how the Buddha was a humble man who taught about the origins of pain and anguish, and how to let go of it for a life that is attainable to all. Through this, he paints a compelling volume that explains how Buddhism is not something to believe in, but rather something to do in a book that is as practical as it is eye-opening.
No-Nonsense Buddhism For Beginners: Clear Answers To Burning Questions About Core Buddhist Teachings – Noah Rasheta
Another one of the best Buddhist books for beginners, Noah Rasheta’s No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners is a clear-cut introductory guidebook to the core essentials of Buddhism and how they fit into daily life. Presented in an easy-to-follow Q&A format, Rasheta tackles the most popular questions about Buddhism and expertly breaks the answers down into responses that are easy for newcomers to grasp.
From the differences between awakening and enlightenment to whether Atheists can be Buddhists, Rasheta’s formatting and conversational tone help lay the foundation for any readers looking to widen their knowledge or begin building their Buddhist practice.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
