Hi , I want to get this community going!! So I am hoping to spark some constructive discourse over books. Everyone loves them :) I would like to hear what you all are reading.

Here is my active list ( it is pretty Dogen heavy right now ):

  1. The Mountains and Water Sutra: A Practioner’s Guide to Dogen’s Sansuikyo – I am not very far into this book yet. I am finding it more accessible than reading some of Dogen’s works directly.

  2. Realizing Genjokoan: The Keys to Dogen’s Shobogenzo – I recently read the Shobogenzo. I enjoyed the read but felt like I didn’t grok a lot of the subtler / contextual ideas. This book is illuminating. I would suggest reading it first and then the Shobogenzo , if you’re inclined.

  3. The Once and Future Witches: Completely unrelated to Buddhism but a fun read :)

Anyways, these are the books I am reading. I am a Soto Zen student , hints the Dogen focus. I would love to hear other Zen book suggestions but I am also very interested in non-Soto Zen books/recommendations :)

  • @jazzfes
    1•3 years ago

    I liked Kapleau’s Three Pillars of Zen.

    Thich Nhat Han’s books are mostly awesome. The language is sometimes a little flowery and the pace seems slow, however they are surprisingly challenging and certainly were influential for me.

    From him I can recommend:

    • Zen Keys: A Guide to Zen Practice,
    • The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching,
    • The Diamond That Cuts Through Illusion, Commentaries on the Prajnaparamita Diamond Sutra,
    • Understanding Our Mind,

    Currently reading With Each and Every Breath: https://www.dhammatalks.org/books/WithEachAndEveryBreath/Section0001.html