Reading Suggestions
Recommended books to discover and deepen your understanding of Buddhism
There are so many books on spirituality that it is sometimes difficult to find our way around. We have therefore prepared a non-exhaustive list of books that we regularly recommend, organized by themes. The idea is not to become a mere collector, but to read at your own pace the books that appeal to you—sometimes daring to leave your comfort zone—and to take the time to contemplate and absorb their meaning.
In French, we offer a commented version of this list, in which every item is contextualized. To know more about the many great Buddhist books that are available in English, readers may peruse the Reader's Guides on Shambhala Publications' website.
First Contact
- Matthieu Ricard, Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill
- Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, It's Up to You: The Practice of Self-Reflection on the Buddhist Path
- Pema Chödrön, The Wisdom of No Escape and the Path of Loving-Kindness
Introduction to Meditation
- Matthieu Ricard, The Art of Meditation
- Dza Kilung Rinpoche, The Relaxed Mind
- Chögyam Trungpa, The Path Is the Goal
- Khenchen Thrangu, The Practice of Tranquility and Insight
- Thich Nhat Hanh, The Miracle of Mindfulness
- Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind
- Orgyen Chowang, Our Pristine Mind
Introduction to Buddhist Philosophy
- Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse, What Makes You Not a Buddhist
- Chögyam Trungpa, Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism
- Traleg Kyabgon, Karma
- Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, The Logic of Faith
- Reginald A. Ray, Indestructible Truth
- Nagarjuna, Letter to a Friend (with commentary by Kangyur Rinpoche)
- Karl Brunnhölzl, The Heart Attack Sutra
- Thinley Norbu, White Sail
The Mahayana Path of Loving-Kindness
- Dzigar Kongtrul, Training in Tenderness
- Tulku Thondup, The Heart of Unconditional Love
- Shantideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva
- Pema Chödrön, No Time to Lose: A Timely Guide to the Way of the Bodhisattva
- Dzigar Kongtrul, A Peaceful Heart
- Dilgo Khyentse, The Heart of Compassion: The Thirty-seven Verses on the Practice of a Bodhisattva
- Traleg Kyabgon, The Practice of Lojong
- Chögyam Trungpa, Training the Mind and Cultivating Loving-Kindness
Health and Well-Being
- Tulku Thondup, The Healing Power of Mind
- Tulku Thondup, Boundless Healing
- Anyen Rinpoche & Allison Choying Zangmo, The Tibetan Yoga of Breath
Lives of the Masters
- Thich Nhat Hanh, Old Path White Clouds: Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha
- Tulku Thondup, Masters of Meditation and Miracles
- Matthieu Ricard, Enlightened Vagabond: The Life and Teachings of Patrul Rinpoche
- Matthieu Ricard, The Spirit of Tibet: The Life and World of Khyentse Rinpoche
- Gyalwa Changchub & Namkhai Nyingpo, Lady of the Lotus-Born: The Life and Enlightenment of Yeshe Tsogyal
Daily Inspiration (Anthologies for Practitioners)
- Dudjom Rinpoche, Counsels from My Heart
- Matthieu Ricard, On the Path to Enlightenment: Heart Advice from the Great Tibetan Masters
- Tulku Thondup, Enlightened Journey
- The songs of Milarepa
Going Further (Vajrayana)
Note that at this stage, it is important to be guided in one's practice. Also, more specialized readings (for example, on Mahamudra or Dzogchen) are best recommended on a personalized basis.
- Patrul Rinpoche, The Words of My Perfect Teacher
- Thinley Norbu, A Cascading Waterfall of Nectar
- Thinley Norbu, Magic Dance
- Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse, The Guru Drinks Bourbon?
Miscellaneous
- Tulku Thondup, Peaceful Death, Joyful Rebirth
- Samuel Bercholz, A Guided Tour of Hell
- Will Johnson, The Posture of Meditation
- Chögyam Trungpa, True Perception: The Path of Dharma Art
There are also some articles in the section entitled "Discovering Buddhism," as well as links to organizations and useful websites in the "Links" section.