Best Books on Buddhism

Thich Nhat Hanh is the most popular Buddhist teacher around - second known only to the Dalai Lama himself. But then the latter is as much a political figure as a spiritual teacher. 

Thich Nhat Hanh combines a thorough knowledge of the Zen tradition of his native Vietnam to social engagement (he coined the phrase 'engaged Buddhism') and a simple teaching style that appeals to millions. 

This book introduces core Buddhist teachings - the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, the Twelve Links of Interdependent Co-Arising - without making it hard on anybody. In short - real Buddhism for people just like you who want to live their lives in an authentic way. 

Another Zen teacher introducing Buddhism to the masses. 

This is the Buddhism as Westerners would like to know it: Seeing reality, realizing the wisdom of the self, breaking free of dualistic thinking - all tough philosophical issues, that yet have the potential to turn your life around. 

Another eternal best seller. 

The popularity of Zen is probably due to it being such an open tradition. It got rid of a lot of the traditional Buddhist forms, like celibacy, and when it came West, it got rid of many more...

Mindfulness is IT. Why? Because it offers a simple way to get yourself out of the facebook, cell phone, always connected, tv watching, DVD consuming mode - and back to you. 

And who better to learn Mindfulness from than the most popular Zen teacher of our times, Thich Nhat Hanh?

This book is a combination of simple yet profound thought and exercises you can do at home. It really can transform your life. 

Funny and well written, Lama Surya Das introduces Buddhism - really Tibetan Buddhism - to a Western audience in a way that's both enlightening and deep. 

This no-nonsense guide will help you understand the Buddha better, because what WOULD he do if he were dropped into our modern world? But best of all, if you follow through with the practice advised in this book, you'll get to know yourself better. And that really is what it's all about. 

This is really a good general introduction into Buddhism. From karma and meditation to modern issues like abortion and euthanasia. Thubten Chodron also goes into the basics of the history of Buddha and yet never talks down to his readers.

Thubten Chodron is the first woman on our list. She is from the USA originally, Thubten Chodron is her Buddhist name. She started out studying (Tibetan) Buddhism in Nepal, and traveled all the way to Taiwan to get ordained as a full fledged bhikshuni (nun) as full ordination for women had died out in Tibetan Buddhism.