| People new to studying Buddhism often struggle with | | | | This is a great complement to Harvey's book. Gethin |
| finding a place to start. Here's a list of some of the | | | | concentrates on the ideas and practices which |
| best books on Buddhist studies out there. | | | | constitute the common heritage of the different |
| The Top Five: | | | | Buddhist traditions. Starting with the narrative history of |
| 1. Harvey, P. 1990, An Introduction to Buddhism: | | | | the Buddha, he analyses the textual tradition, the Four |
| Teachings, History and Practices. | | | | Noble Truths, Karma, rebirth, the various paths, and the |
| Harvey offers a comprehensive introduction to the | | | | interaction between monastic and lay life. |
| Buddhist tradition covering not only its historical | | | | The Foundations of Buddhism is extremely easy to |
| developments, but also its main concepts and | | | | read and easy to understand. It is not as |
| practices. This is a huge amount of information, but the | | | | comprehensive as some of the other books listed, but |
| book succeeds in being highly readable and its clear | | | | it is certainly a page-turner. As a way into the religion |
| structure means that the information is easy to digest. | | | | you couldn't ask for anything more readable. |
| An Introduction to Buddhism is great for anyone looking | | | | 4. Williams, P. & Tribe, A. 2000, Buddhist Thought: |
| for an encyclopaedia of Buddhism to dip in and out of. | | | | A Complete Introduction to the Indian Tradition. |
| However, the comprehensive picture one gains of the | | | | Buddhist Thought is not an introduction to the religion as |
| religion if the book is read from cover to cover should | | | | whole, rather it is an introduction to certain ideas and |
| not be underestimated. | | | | concepts that developed on the Indian subcontinent. A |
| This book is at the top of the list because it serves | | | | certain amount of background knowledge is assumed. |
| two functions. Firstly, it is a very readable book | | | | However, the book is a valuable resource for anyone |
| absolutely crammed full of detailed information. | | | | interested in taking their knowledge of Buddhism to the |
| Reading it will give you a very comprehensive view of | | | | next level of detail. |
| Buddhism. Secondly, it is a great reference book. With | | | | Williams takes a historical approach and applies this to |
| a simple structure and decent index it's great to quickly | | | | many of the common myths and beliefs traditionally |
| remind yourself of particular points if you're faced with | | | | held by Buddhists. This endeavour is particularly |
| an awkward question. No one should be without it. | | | | rewarding in his analysis of the origins of Mahayana. |
| 2. Bechert, H. & Gombrich, R. (eds) 1984, The | | | | All in all, a great book for someone wanting to delve a |
| World of Buddhism: Buddhist Monks and Nuns in | | | | little deeper into Indian Buddhism. |
| Society and Culture. | | | | 5. Cush, D. 1994, Buddhism (A Student's Approach to |
| This is a beautifully presented and produced book. The | | | | World Religions). |
| level of writing is academic but very clear and the | | | | This book is particularly aimed at the world of RE. As |
| illustrations are exquisite. Like many of the books here, | | | | such, the writing is set at a school level and the layout |
| The World of Buddhism gives a 'big picture' of | | | | has a textbook feel. This means that Buddhism (A |
| Buddhism. No attempt has been made to be fully | | | | Student's Approach to World Religions) is extremely |
| comprehensive in discussing the religion, but the | | | | easy to use and very readable. |
| pertinent points have been pulled out and presented in | | | | The book, given its target audience, doesn't go into as |
| such a way as to enable easy understanding. | | | | much detail as some of the other books in the list. |
| The World of Buddhism may be slightly outdated, now | | | | However, it still manages to find the balance between |
| 24 years old. However, its illustrations help to give a | | | | more scholarly works and overly basic introductions |
| real flavour of Buddhism in all its incarnations. This, | | | | and a large number of topics are covered. |
| combined with the books inherent readability and | | | | If you're in a hurry Buddhism (A Student's Approach to |
| academic value, makes it a must have. | | | | World Religions) could well prove to be one of the |
| 3. Gethin, R. 1998, The Foundations of Buddhism. | | | | most valuable books on your shelf. |