The way of the Buddha is to know yourself; To know yourself is to forget yourself; To forget yourself is to be awakened by all things. Dogen – Thirteenth Century Zen Monk
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Living This Life Fully: Stories and Teachings of Munindra
Living This Life Fully: Stories and Teachings of Munindra (Shambhala), is a new dharma book about a pivotal figure in the transmission of Dharma to the West and “the teacher of our teachers.” Anagarika Munindra was Joseph Goldstein’s and Kamala Masters’ first teacher and one who also influenced Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield, Daniel Goleman, James Baraz, Christopher Titmuss, Christina Feldman, Sylvia Boorstein, Larry Rosenberg, Marcia Rose, and many others. He was responsible for teaching Dipa Ma and introducing her to his Western students. Munindra was greatly appreciated not only for his knowledge as a Pali scholar but most especially for his embodiment of Dharma, for being a living example of the qualities that lead to awakening, qualities that are part of everyday life. When asked, “Munindraji, what is Dhamma?” he used to say, “Dhamma is living the life fully.” He did not reserve practice for a special time, in a special place, on a special cushion, but for everywhere and in every moment. His open-minded, accessible, enthusiastic, friendly, and cheerful manner was inviting and encouraging. He inspired others to believe that, yes, it is possible here and now.
The Beginner’s Guide to Insight Meditation
Weisman, Arinna, and Jean Smith. The Beginner’s Guide to Insight Meditation (New York: Bell Tower, 2001). Clear explanations of the Buddha’s teachings with personal stories highlighting some of the challenges and insights of practice.
The Beginner’s Guide to Walking the Buddha’s Eightfold Path
Smith, Jean. The Beginner’s Guide to Walking the Buddha’s Eightfold Path (New York: Bell Tower, 2002). An exploration of how the concepts central to practicing the Buddha’s teachings can be applied in daily life in such areas as environmental consciousness and interpersonal relations.
Lovingkindness
Salzberg, Sharon. Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness (Boston: Shambhala, 1995). This inspiring book by a cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, introduces the West to the practice of metta, or lovingkindness, practice.
A Heart as Wide as the World
Salzberg, Sharon. A Heart as Wide as the World: Living with Mindfulness, Wisdom, and Compassion (Boston: Shambhala, 1997). Stories, anecdotes, and brief teachings that show how to live this spiritual practice in the everyday world, by a cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA.
Voices of Insight
Salzberg, Sharon, ed. Voices of Insight (Boston: Shambhala, 1999). A rich anthology of writings by teachers who lead retreats at the Insight Meditation Society, in Barre, MA.
The Wise Heart
Kornfield, Jack. The Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist Psychology (Bantam Books, 2008). A definitive guide to Buddhist spiritual life and psychology through the teachings of the Buddha and insight meditation, by the founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, and cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA.
A Path with Heart
Kornfield, Jack. A Path with Heart: A Guide Through the Perils and Promises of Spiritual Life (New York: Bantam Books, 1993). A practical and moving guide to living a spiritual life through the practices of Insight Meditation, by the founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, and cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA.
Mindfulness in Plain English
Gunaratana, Venerable Henepola. Mindfulness in Plain English (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1991). A simple guide to Insight Meditation whose conversational style complements the depth of wisdom of Venerable Gunaratana’s teachings.
Seeking the Heart of Wisdom
Goldstein, Joseph, and Jack Kornfield. Seeking the Heart of Wisdom: The Path of Insight Meditation (Boston: Shambhala, 1987). A rare blending of wisdom and practicality, presenting the keys to meditation and the practice of mindfulness, by two cofounders of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA.
Insight Meditation
Goldstein, Joseph. Insight Meditation: The Practice of Freedom (Boston: Shambhala, 1993). Succinct and clear essays on key aspects of Insight Meditation practice and how they can be integrated into daily life.
The Experience of Insight
Goldstein, Joseph. The Experience of Insight: A Simple and Direct Guide to Buddhist Meditation (Boston: Shambhala, 1987). Unusually clear instructions on the practice of and hindrances to meditation by this master teacher and cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA.
It’s Easier Than You Think: The Buddhist Way to Happiness
Boorstein, Sylvia. It’s Easier Than You Think: The Buddhist Way to Happiness (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1995). A delightful presentation of major Buddhist teachings.
Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There: A Mindfulness Retreat
Boorstein, Sylvia. Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There: A Mindfulness Retreat (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1996). The experience of meditation on a retreat, shared with practicality and down-to-earth humor.
Thus Have I Heard: The Long Discourses of the Buddha
Walshe, Maurice, trans. Digha Nikaya, Thus Have I Heard: The Long Discourses of the Buddha (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1987). The classic translation of the Long Discourses.
Radiant Mind: Essential Buddhist Teachings and Texts
Smith, Jean, ed. Radiant Mind: Essential Buddhist Teachings and Texts (New York: Riverhead, 1999). A compilation of key texts and commentaries from all major traditions, selected for their accessibility to those new to Buddhism.
What the Buddha Taught
Rahula, Walpola. What the Buddha Taught (New York: Grove Press, 1959). A classic presentation of the key concepts of Buddhism by a Buddhist monk and scholar.
The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha
Nanamoli, Bhikkhu, and Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans, Majjhima Nikaya,
The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1995). The authoritative translation of the 152 middle-length teachings.
The First Buddhist Women
Murcott, Susan. The First Buddhist Women: Translations and Commentary on the Therigatha (Berkeley, CA: Parallax Press, 1991). A fascinating compilation of the enlightenment verses of the earliest female disciples of the Buddha during his lifetime.
The Connected Discourses of the Buddha
Bodhi, Bhikkhu, trans. Samyutta Nikaya, The Connected Discourses of the Buddha (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1995). The authoritative translation of the one of the four great collections of the Buddha’s teachings.
In The Buddha’s Words
Bodhi, Bhikkhu, ed. and trans. In the Buddha’s Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2005). A definitive introduction to the Buddha’s teachings in his own words. This volume is especially accessible because of the clear translation and systematic presentation.
Reference and Background
Reference and Background
Bodhi, Bhikkhu, ed. and trans. In the Buddha’s Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2005). A definitive introduction to the Buddha’s teachings in his own words. This volume is especially accessible because of the clear translation and systematic presentation.
Bodhi, Bhikkhu, trans. Samyutta Nikaya, The Connected Discourses of the Buddha (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1995). The authoritative translation of the one of the four great collections of the Buddha’s teachings.
Murcott, Susan. The First Buddhist Women: Translations and Commentary on the Therigatha (Berkeley, CA: Parallax Press, 1991). A fascinating compilation of the enlightenment verses of the earliest female disciples of the Buddha during his lifetime.
Nanamoli, Bhikkhu, and Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans, Majjhima Nikaya,
The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1995). The authoritative translation of the 152 middle-length teachings.
Rahula, Walpola. What the Buddha Taught (New York: Grove Press, 1959). A classic presentation of the key concepts of Buddhism by a Buddhist monk and scholar.
Smith, Jean, ed. Radiant Mind: Essential Buddhist Teachings and Texts (New York: Riverhead, 1999). A compilation of key texts and commentaries from all major traditions, selected for their accessibility to those new to Buddhism.
Walshe, Maurice, trans. Digha Nikaya, Thus Have I Heard: The Long Discourses of the Buddha (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1987). The classic translation of the Long Discourses.
Insight Meditation Practice and Teachings
Insight Meditation Practice and Teachings
Boorstein, Sylvia. Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There: A Mindfulness Retreat (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1996). The experience of meditation on a retreat, shared with practicality and down-to-earth humor.
Boorstein, Sylvia. It’s Easier Than You Think: The Buddhist Way to Happiness (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1995). A delightful presentation of major Buddhist teachings.
Goldstein, Joseph. The Experience of Insight: A Simple and Direct Guide to Buddhist Meditation (Boston: Shambhala, 1987). Unusually clear instructions on the practice of and hindrances to meditation by this master teacher and cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA.
Goldstein, Joseph. Insight Meditation: The Practice of Freedom (Boston: Shambhala, 1993). Succinct and clear essays on key aspects of Insight Meditation practice and how they can be integrated into daily life.
Goldstein, Joseph, and Jack Kornfield. Seeking the Heart of Wisdom: The Path of Insight Meditation (Boston: Shambhala, 1987). A rare blending of wisdom and practicality, presenting the keys to meditation and the practice of mindfulness, by two cofounders of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA.
Gunaratana, Venerable Henepola. Mindfulness in Plain English (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1991). A simple guide to Insight Meditation whose conversational style complements the depth of wisdom of Venerable Gunaratana’s teachings.
Kornfield, Jack. A Path with Heart: A Guide Through the Perils and Promises of Spiritual Life (New York: Bantam Books, 1993). A practical and moving guide to living a spiritual life through the practices of Insight Meditation, by the founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, and cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA.
Kornfield, Jack. The Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist Psychology (Bantam Books, 2008). A definitive guide to Buddhist spiritual life and psychology through the teachings of the Buddha and insight meditation, by the founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA, and cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA.
Salzberg, Sharon, ed. Voices of Insight (Boston: Shambhala, 1999). A rich anthology of writings by teachers who lead retreats at the Insight Meditation Society, in Barre, MA.
Salzberg, Sharon. A Heart as Wide as the World: Living with Mindfulness, Wisdom, and Compassion (Boston: Shambhala, 1997). Stories, anecdotes, and brief teachings that show how to live this spiritual practice in the everyday world, by a cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA.
Salzberg, Sharon. Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness (Boston: Shambhala, 1995). This inspiring book by a cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, introduces the West to the practice of metta, or lovingkindness, practice.
Smith, Jean. The Beginner’s Guide to Walking the Buddha’s Eightfold Path (New York: Bell Tower, 2002). An exploration of how the concepts central to practicing the Buddha’s teachings can be applied in daily life in such areas as environmental consciousness and interpersonal relations.
Weisman, Arinna, and Jean Smith. The Beginner’s Guide to Insight Meditation (New York: Bell Tower, 2001). Clear explanations of the Buddha’s teachings with personal stories highlighting some of the challenges and insights of practice.