Suggested Buddhist Reading

Nonin recommends the following books. They all give good, readable introductions to either Buddhism in general or to Soto Zen practice.

[General Buddhism]  [Modern Japanese Masters]  [American Masters]

General Buddhism

What the Buddha Taught, Walpola Rahula, Grove Press, 1959, 1974.
Originally published in 1959 and reprinted many, many times since. Still the best introduction to Buddhism around.

Entering the Stream, Edited by Samuel Bercholz and Sherab Chodzin Kohn, Shambhala, 1993.
Provides a basic introduction and core teachings written and translated by a variety of Theravadan, Tibetan, and Zen masters.

Buddhism Plain and Simple, Steve Hagen, Tuttle, 1997.
A thorough, non-technical, easy to understand introduction.

Soto Zen - Modern Japanese Masters

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind - Informal talks on Zen meditation and practice, Shunryu Suzuki, Weatherhill Inc, New York, NY, 1970.
In its over 40th printing; still the best available.

Not Always So - Practicing the True Spirit of Zen, Shunryu Suzuki, Harper Collins, New York, NY, 2002.
Excellent collections of Suzuki's talks.

Returning to Silence: Zen Practice in Everyday Life, Dainin Katagiri, Shambhala, 1988.
Author was Nonin's master.

Opening the Hand of Thought, Kosho Uchiyama, Penguin USA, 1993.
Excellent overall introduction.

Refining your life, Kosho Uchiyama, Weatherhill Inc., New York, NY, 1983.
Commentaries on Dogen's Tenzo Kyokun.

Soto Zen, An Introduction to the Thought of the Serene Reflection Meditation School of Buddhism, Koho Chisan, Shasta Abbey Press, 2000.
The Basics of Soto Zen.

Soto Zen - American Masters

Buddhism is Not What You Think - Finding Freedom Beyond Beliefs, Steve Hagen, Harper Collins, New York, NY 2003.
Inspiring and useful writings by one of Nonin's Dharma brothers.

The Art of Just Sitting, edited by John Daido Loori, Wisdom Publications.
Essential writings, ancient and modern, on the Zen practice of Shikantaza.

Mountain Record of Zen Talks, John Daido Loori, Shambhala, 1988.
Based on talks given at Zen Mountain Monastary in New York.

The Heart of Being - Moral and Ethical Teachings of Zen Buddhism, John Daido Loori, Tuttle, 1996.
Commentaries on the Precepts

The Mind of Clover - Essays in Zen Buddhist Ethics, Robert Aitken, North Point Press, New York, NY, 1984.
Commentaries on the precepts.

Gateless Barrier, Robert Aitken, North Point Press, New York, NY, 1991.
Commentaries on the Mumonkan.

Everyday Zen, Charlotte Joko Beck, Harper San Francisco, 1989.
Based on talks given at the Zen Center in San Diego, where the author teaches.