Some of Our Favorite Books on Buddhism

Buddhadasa Bhikkhu
Handbook for Mankind
The Venerable Buddhadasa offers fresh insights into a timeless Truth (Dhamma), in the direct and simple manner that characterizes all his teaching... As a guide for newcomers to the Buddha-Dhamma, this book is an invaluable guide. In it are contained the essential teachings of Buddhism. The Handbook is especially useful for those who approach the Buddha's teaching, not as a subject for scholarly study, buy as a means to understand and ennoble their lives.

Abhidhamma, Abhidhamma, Anatta, Anicca, Buddha, Dhamma, Impermanence, Insight Meditation, Kamma, Sati,

Buddhadasa Bhikkhu
Handbook for Mankind
The Venerable Buddhadasa offers fresh insights into a timeless Truth (Dhamma), in the direct and simple manner that characterizes all his teaching... As a guide for newcomers to the Buddha-Dhamma, this book is an invaluable guide. In it are contained the essential teachings of Buddhism. The Handbook is especially useful for those who approach the Buddha's teaching, not as a subject for scholarly study, buy as a means to understand and ennoble their lives.

Abhidhamma, Abhidhamma, Anatta, Anicca, Buddha, Dhamma, Impermanence, Insight Meditation, Kamma, Sati,

Buddhadasa Bhikkhu
Heart Wood from the Bodhi Tree
In these talks the Ven. Ajaan proposes that the 'heart-wood' or the pith or essence of the Buddhist Teachings is the practice of non-clinging, the dwelling with a mind empty of the feeling of 'I' and 'mine'. He masterfully shows how this practice may be developed and how taking emptiness as the fundamental principle one has a wonderful tool to understand and make use of every one of the many concepts and skilful means that lie within the Buddhist tradition, and also how to distinguish those things that are alien to it.

Abhidhamma, Abhidhamma, Anatta, Anicca, Impermanence, No-self,

Buddhadasa Bhikkhu
Heart Wood from the Bodhi Tree
In these talks the Ven. Ajaan proposes that the 'heart-wood' or the pith or essence of the Buddhist Teachings is the practice of non-clinging, the dwelling with a mind empty of the feeling of 'I' and 'mine'. He masterfully shows how this practice may be developed and how taking emptiness as the fundamental principle one has a wonderful tool to understand and make use of every one of the many concepts and skilful means that lie within the Buddhist tradition, and also how to distinguish those things that are alien to it.

Abhidhamma, Abhidhamma, Anatta, Anicca, Impermanence, No-self,

Narada Mahathera
A Manual of Abhidhamma
In the Abhidhamma both mind and matter, which constitute this complex machinery of man, are microscopically analyzed. Chief events connected with the process of birth and death are explained in detail. Intricate points of the Dhamma are clarified. The Path of Emancipation is set forth in clear terms. Modern Psychology, limited as it is comes within the scope of Abhidhamma inasmuch as it deals with the mind, with thoughts, thought-processes, and mental states but it does not admit of a psyche or a soul. Buddhism teaches a psychology without a psyche. Consciousness is defined. Thoughts are analyzed and classified chiefly from an ethical standpoint. All mental states are enumerated. The composition of each type of consciousness is set forth in detail. The description of thought-processes that arise through the five sense-doors and the mind-door is extremely interesting.

Abhidhamma, Citta, Dependent Origination, Dhamma, Paticcasamuppada,