Books - ZenRiots

Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha: An Unusually Hardcore Dharma Book

“Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha: An Unusually Hardcore Dharma Book” by Daniel M. Ingram is a blunt, practical, and highly detailed manual for anyone serious about meditation and the path to enlightenment. The book, as its subtitle suggests, takes a “hardcore” and pragmatic approach, cutting through spiritual fluff and providing a no-nonsense guide…

The Lotus Sutra

“The Lotus Sutra,” in this contemporary translation by Gene Reeves, is one of the most revered and influential texts in all of Mahayana Buddhism. As a Buddhist classic, it introduces a profound and revolutionary teaching: that all living beings have the inherent capacity to achieve Buddhahood, a state of perfect wisdom and compassion. The Sutra…

If the Buddha Dated

In “If the Buddha Dated,” psychologist and Buddhist teacher Charlotte Kasl, Ph.D., offers a wise and compassionate handbook for navigating the complexities of the modern dating world. Building on her work in “If the Buddha Married,” Kasl provides a clear path for finding a healthy, mindful, and enduring relationship. The book is based on the…

Hooked!: Buddhist Writings on Greed, Desire, and the Urge to Consume

“Hooked!: Buddhist Writings on Greed, Desire, and the Urge to Consume,” edited by Stephanie Kaza, is a powerful anthology that explores the modern phenomenon of addiction through the lens of ancient Buddhist wisdom. The book’s core argument is that the fundamental principles of Buddhism—particularly the teachings on desire, greed, and attachment—provide a direct and clear…

The Dhammapada

“The Dhammapada,” introduced and translated by Eknath Easwaran, is one of the most beloved and widely read scriptures in the world. As a foundational Buddhist text, it is a collection of 423 verses spoken by the Buddha over the course of his forty-five-year ministry. These verses are not a rigid set of rules, but a…

Buddhism for Beginners

In “Buddhism for Beginners,” Buddhist nun Thubten Chodron offers a clear, practical, and highly accessible introduction to the core principles of Buddhism. The book is designed for readers with no prior knowledge, providing a simple yet profound roadmap to understanding the Buddha’s teachings. Thubten Chodron addresses common questions about karma, reincarnation, and meditation with straightforward…

Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment

In “Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment,” renowned spiritual author Deepak Chopra offers a fictionalized and deeply personal account of the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the man who would become the Buddha. This is not a historical textbook but a spiritual narrative that reimagines the Buddha’s journey from a life of royal privilege to his eventual…

Awakening the Buddha Within

In “Awakening the Buddha Within,” Lama Surya Das, one of the most respected Western Buddhist teachers, presents a comprehensive and accessible guide to the Tibetan Buddhist path to enlightenment. The book’s central premise is that we all have an inherent “Buddha nature”—a capacity for wisdom, compassion, and inner peace—that can be awakened and cultivated. Lama…

Against the Stream

In “Against the Stream,” Noah Levine, a Buddhist teacher and author with a deeply personal story of addiction and recovery, presents a powerful manual for modern-day spiritual revolutionaries. The book’s title encapsulates its core message: that the path to freedom and inner peace often involves going against the current of societal norms and personal habits….

The Quantum and the Lotus

In “The Quantum and the Lotus,” Buddhist monk and molecular biologist Matthieu Ricard engages in a fascinating dialogue with renowned quantum astrophysicist Trinh Xuan Thuan. The book is a journey to the frontiers of human knowledge, where two seemingly disparate worldviews—modern science and ancient Buddhist philosophy—meet to explore the fundamental nature of reality. Through their…