Buddhism and Zen Book Recommendations

The following are some books that I recommended to a member of the Shambhala Gainesville Meditation Community's Queer and Trans Dharma group back in late 2019 and early 2020.

The Buddha and his Teachings edited by Samuel Bercholz and Sherab Chodzin Kohn

Great overview of the origins and varieties of Buddhism. Reading this book led me to Zen through Shunryu Suzuki's writings.

The Dhammapada translated by Eknath Easwaran

One of the earliest Buddhists texts. Foundational to Southeast Asian Buddhism. Lots of really sweet and practical spiritual advice. Very clear and readable.

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu translated by Ursula K. Le Guin

Ursula K. Le Guin is one of my favorite authors and was one of the first science fiction authors to write books where the main characters were people of color, women, and/or queer. While technically not a Buddhist text, the The Tao Te Ching is foundational to Daoism which influenced Zen Buddhism. It reads like luminously beautiful but spiritually practical poetry.

Old Path White Clouds by Thich Nhat Hanh

Great biography of the Buddha collecting many of his teachings from very early and old sources. This definitely seems edited for a Western reader interested in viewing Buddhism as a secular practice since it leaves out a lot of magical and mystical stories connected to the Buddha Shakyamuni.

Buddha by Ozamu Tezuka

Huuuge but excellent manga collection about the Buddha by one of the most prolific and influential manga artists. It takes up eight huge volumes. Definitely doesn't shy away from the magical and fantastical aspects of the Buddha Shakyamuni's life. If you happen to live in Alachua County, our excellent library systems carries it!

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki

Suzuki was one of the first people to popularize Zen (and Buddhism) in the US. This is a great entry point for Zen and was my first deep read into Zen. A pretty smooth and sweet read. Also check out David Chadwick's Crooked Cucumber. This is a biography of Suzuki's life and is a great window into what it was like to be an American in the 1960's involved in establishing Eastern spirituality centers.

Dropping Ashes on the Buddha by Seung Sahn

Seung Sahn was a Korean Zen monk. He founded the school of Zen that I used to practice and lead groups in. The Gateless Gate Center was my home sangha for many years but I believe that the pandemic may have finally put an end to it. Seung Sahn was all about challenging people to connect with the fundamental bedrock of reality rather than being caught up in our intellectual conceptualizations about it. This book is challenging, funny, kinda bizarre, and interesting.

Butterflies on a Sea Wind and Zen in a Wild Country by Anne Rudloe

Anne was a marine biologist who used to run a research center. She also was a Zen teacher who used to act as the guiding teacher for my local group. The very first time I sat with a group she gave us the opportunity to ask her questions privately and her responses made me feel like Zen and Buddhism were for me. She finds Zen and Buddhism in nature and writes beautifully about it and also about being sick with cancer. She passed away some years ago.

Zen Confidential: Confessions of a Wayward Monk by Shozan Jack Haubner

This book is inspiring, hilarious, gross, weird, and fun to read. Shozan studied with an influential but highly controversial teacher named Kyozan Joshu Sazaki. Shozan doesn't touch on the controversies very much and mostly focuses on the life of being an isolated celibate monk and embracing all of the challenges and rewards of that life.

Nothing Special: Living Zen by Charlotte Joko Beck

An excellent book. Really clear and sober writing. Cuts to the bone. I used to read this to find strength when I was feeling at my lowest.