At times you sit atop the lone mountain peak and let your hands dangle into the busy intersection;
At times, while in the busy intersection; you drowse off on the lone mountain peak.
Hori, V. S. (2003) [trans]. Zen Sand: The Book of Capping Phrases for Koan Practice. Honolulu, University of Hawai’i Press. [p. 622. No. 21+.4].
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When folks ask about zen Buddhist books, I might recommend any of the following authors. If you have a favorite Buddhist book, email me the title and author and I will consider adding it to this page, designed largely for the curious college student.
Orienting to Meditation and (zen) Buddhist ways
- Robert Aitken – Taking the Path of Zen is one classic starting text, recommended by many Buddhist centers.
- Lama Surya Das is an encouraging writer – esp. Awakening the Buddha Within
- Paul Reps – Zen Flesh, Zen Bones is a recognized compendium of zen and pre-zen tales with lots of zen flavor.
Popular Favorites:
- Thich Nhât Hanh (pron. Tik Nut Hun) – has written lots of books and they are very easy to read and very profound.
- Pema Chodron – anything and everything she has written; for me, When Things Fall Apart, and The Places that Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness have been very fortifying at various times in my life.
- Jack Kornfield – a very gentle and encouraging author and teacher; my favorite of his is After the Ecstasy, the Laundry.
At the CA Centers:
- Suzuki-roshi who established San Francisco ZC wrote: Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind.
- On Zen Practice, Body, Breath and Mind by Maezumi, Glassman & Aitken, is one of the recommended starting texts at Zen Center of Los Angeles.
Other authors to pursue: Joko Beck, John Tarrant, Stephen Batchelor, Sharon Salzberg.
Getting Started with Koan Study:
- Robert Aitken’s translation of The Gateless Barrier. (Diamond Sangha preferred).
- Shibayama: Gateless Barrier: Zen Comments on the Mumonkan. (ZCLA preferred).
- Ford, Blacker & Tarrant’s The Book of Mu: Essential Writings on Zen’s Most Important Koan.
If you live in/near Santa Barbara, drop by Chaucer’s Books and browse their Buddhist section. Ask the staff and they can show you where the section is. Lots of excellent reading there!
- TIP#1: I also enjoy browsing for Buddhist books in airport bookstores…for some reason I always find some very relaxing, calming Buddhist texts there!
- TIP #2: Until 2013, and going way back, the magazine Shambala Sun (now Lion’s Roar) published an annual collection “The Best Buddhist Writing of 2013” [or 2012, or 2011, etc, ]. The various short chapters in these yearly pubs. provide a great way to find out who you might like to read some more.
Magazines:
- Lion’s Roar: http://www.lionsroar.com/
- Tricycle: http://www.tricycle.com/
- Buddha-dharma: http://www.thebuddhadharma.com/
- Dharma Life: http://www.dharmalife.com/
- –> and try googling “Buddhist magazines”.
Online Stores:
For books, incense, zafu & zabuton, statues, jewelry, trinkets, gifts. Sign up for mail & email catalogues? Search online: “buddhist, “stores”, “shopping”, etc.
- Dharma Crafts
- The Monastery Store (Zen Mountain Monastery)
- Samadhi Cushions
- Buddha Groove
