Our Top 4 list aims to represent a particular topic through the selected outstanding books, balancing classic texts and latest titles, popular books, and less known must-reads. Here’s a selection on Theravada and General Buddhism from the Amazon bookshelves:
1. A Still Forest Pool by Achaan Chah
Thai Buddhist master Achaan Chah’s insights – compiled here by Jack Kornfield and Paul Breiter – reflect the quiet, intensive, and joyous practice of the forest monks in Thailand and awaken the spirit of inquiry, wonderment, understanding, and deep inner peace.
2. Buddhism Without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening by Stephen Batchelor
This lucid examination of the Buddha’s core teaching demystifies Buddhism by explaining, without jargon or obscure terminology, what awakening is and how to practise it.
3. Modern Buddhism: Buddha’s Ancient Teachings for the Modern Person by Devean Chase (online $2.99)
A Buddhist philosophist and mystic’s take on the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-fold path. This book is definitely the newest (and shortest) book on this list, but one that I’ve pesonally found remarkabale. If you’re looking for a fresh perspective on Theravada Buddhism, try this book from a Sri Lankan former monk Devean Chase.
4. Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart: Buddhist Perspective on Wholeness by Mark Epstein
A Buddhist psychiatrist challenges the preoccupation of Western psychology with the ego and its satisfaction, showing readers how to attain true happiness through Buddhist spirituality and through favoring being over doing.