RESOURCES
Students in the western world are fortunate to have access to the Buddha’s teachings in many forms. Available are books for beginners; audio recordings of Dharma talks given at major retreat centers; in-depth discussions of the Dharma by learned teachers; accurate translations of the Buddha’s original talks given to the monks and nuns of the early Sangha, and more. Beginners may want to peruse writings by favorite teachers while advanced practitioners may want to study the suttas (the original talks). Below we list some of the best of what we know plus avenues for you to explore on your own.
Insight Meditation
Mindfulness
- Book: Mindfulness in Plain English by Bante Gunaratana
- Book: The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh
- Book: Mindfulness by Joseph Goldstein
Buddhism
- Document: Buddhism in a Nutshell
- Book: What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula
- Book: Dancing With Life by Phillip Moffitt
- Book: Sound of Silence by Ajahn Sumedho
- Book: Small Boat Great Mountain by Ajahn Amaro
Lovingkindness (metta)
- The Metta Sutta (discourse)
- Book: Lovingkindness by Sharon Salzberg
- An Essay about Metta Practice, including instructions
- The Divine Abodes (Brahma Viharas) Chart 1
- The Divine Abodes (Brahma Viharas) Chart 2
- Guided Metta Meditations (Benefactor, Slight, Light and Gut)
Generosity (dana)
Ethical behavior (precepts)
There are many versions of the Precepts; here we offer a couple:
Engaged Buddhism
- Dharma Talk on Contemplation of the Four Elements 7/11/15
- Book: We Were Made For These Times by Kaira Jewel Lingo
- Book: Engaged Spiritual Life by Donald Rothberg
- Book: Radical Friendship by Kate Johnson