Suggested Reading

The following books are available for loan to members from our Temple Library. Select titles can be purchased at our Temple Bookstore on Sundays and at our annual Obon Festival. Temple Bookstore may be able to fill special orders upon request. Links are provided to online ordering from the BCA Bookstore.

The Teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha

One of the most readable explanations of Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings is found in Rahula’s What the Buddha Taught. One of the more accessible forms of the teachings is the Dhammapada, a collection of Buddha’s sayings; numerous translations are avail­able.

The Teaching of Buddha. Bukkyō Dendō Kyōkai. Available in many languages.

Byrom, Thomas, translator. Dhammapada: The Sayings of Buddha. Shambala, 1993.

Rahula, Walpola. What the Buddha Taught. 2nd ed., Grove Press, 1974.

Buddhism Today

Hagen’s Buddhism Plain and Simple presents the teachings in contemporary language. Although written for teenagers, Metcalf’s Buddha in Your Backpack is another good introduction to the Buddhist teachings. Loudon’s two books are collections of essays written by teenagers and young adults who describe how they encountered and practice Buddhism.

Hagen, Steve. Buddhism Plain and Simple. Broadway Books, 1999.

Khyentse, Dzongsar Jamming. What Makes You Not a Buddhist. Shambhala Publications, 2007.

Loundon, Sumi, ed. Blue Jean Buddha. Wisdom Publications, 2001.

Loundon, Sumi, ed. Buddha’s Apprentices. Wisdom Publications, 2006.

Metcalf, Franz. Buddha in Your Backpack. Seastone, 2003.

 Buddhism

While the preceding books focus on the teachings or their contemporary interpretation and practice, the following books provide historical, philosophical, and cultural context. Skilton’s A Concise History of Buddhism is a good starting point; the most advanced books are Williams’ Mahayana Buddhism and Buddhist Thought.

Also listed are pages that specifically refer to Jodo Shinshu.

Harvey, Peter. An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices. Reprint, Cambridge University Press, 1998.

  • Pure Land schools: 163-165

Robinson, Richard H. and Willard L. Johnson. The Buddhist Religion: A Historical Introduction. 4th ed., Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1997.

  • Pure Land: 253-255

Skilton, Andrew. A Concise History of Buddhism. 2nd ed., Windhorse Publications, 1997.

  • Shinran: 180 (Buddhism in Japan: 177-182)

Suzuki, Shunryu. Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. (several editions)

Williams, Paul. Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations. 2nd ed., Routledge, 2009.

  • Shinran Shōnin: 269-276

Williams, Paul and Anthony Tribe. Buddhist Thought: A Complete Introduction to the Indian Tradition. Routledge, 2000.

Jodo Shinshu (Shin Buddhism)

A good entry point is Tanaka’s Ocean, presented in Q&A format, with a thoroughly annotated Further Readings section. Jodo Shinshu: A Guide provides an excellent overview and serves as an easy-to-use reference.

James Dobbins’ Jōdo Shinshū: Shin Buddhism in Medieval Japan is an engaging examination of Shin Buddhist history. For serious students of Jodo Shinshu, the two-volume Collected Works of Shinran is indispensable.

Bloom, Alfred. The Essential Shinran: A Buddhist Path of True Entrusting. World Wisdom Inc., 2007.

Dobbins, James. Jōdo Shinshū: Shin Buddhism in Medieval JapanHonolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2002.

Hirota, Dennis, et al (translators). The Collected Works of Shinran. Vol. I, The Writings. Shin Buddhism Translation Series. Kyoto: Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha, 1997. Available to read online here.

Jodo Shinshu: A Guide. 3rd printing, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha, 2004. Available as a PDF here.

Ohtani, Monshu Koshin. Buddha’s Wish for the World. ­American Buddhist Study Center, 2009.

Shigaraki, Takamaro. Heart of the Shin Buddhist Path: A Life of Awakening. Hōzōkan Publications, 2005.

Suzuki, Daisetz Teitaro. Buddha of Infinite Light: The Teachings of Shin Buddhism, The Japanese Way of Wisdom and Compassion. Revised by Taitetsu Unno. Shambhala Publications, 1998.

Tanaka, Kenneth K. Ocean: An Introduction to Jodo-Shinshu Buddhism in America. WisdomOcean Publications, 1997.

Unno, Taitetsu. River of Fire, River of Water. Doubleday, 1998.

Unno, Taitetsu. Shin Buddhism: Bits of Rubble Turn into Gold. Doubleday, 2002.

Usuki, Patricia Kanaya. Currents of Change: American Buddhist Women Speak Out on Jodo Shinshu. Institute of Buddhist Studies, 2007.

Wilson, Jeff. Buddhism of the Heart: Reflections on Shin Buddhism and Inner Togetherness. Wisdom Publications, 2009.

Well, Almost Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Jodo-Shinshu But Were Afraid to Ask. N.d. Los Angeles: Nembutsu Press.

Continue to Learn More for links to additional educational resources.

Back to top