What good book about several popular forms of Buddhism do you recommend?

J.C. Jones: What good book about several popular forms of Buddhism do you recommend?
I want a book that covers several popular forms of Buddhism and how to follow them, their basics. Thanks.

Answers and Views:

Answer by J
zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance

Answer by Rawhide
Tibetan Book of the Living and Dead. It’s a big book but even if one doesn’t one to read it cover to cover, its also good to flip around. Its all good.

Answer by sen-dhang
i’d suggest Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand by Pabongka Rinpoche.

He discusses the Lam Rim, the gradual path to enlightenment. It is essential reading for a Mahayana buddhist, especially one of Tibetan origin.

Answer by Brian
Most Buddhist books center on a specific Buddhist Tradition. The two main branches of Buddhism are: Theravada and Mahayana. The Theravada lineage relies on the Sutras recorded in the Pali language. Theravada Tradition emphasizes meditation on the breath to cultivate concentration and meditation on the body, feelings, mind and phenomena to develop wisdom. In Pali, these two types of Meditation are called: Shamatha and Vipassana. *’Both, the Theravada and Mahayana emphasize loving-kindness and compassion toward all sentient beings’. Mahayana is based on the Scriptures recorded in Sanskrit. Mahayana has subdivisions: Pure Land, Zen, Vajrayana, etc. Pure Land Tradition emphasizes chanting the name of Amitabha Buddha in order to be reborn into his Pure Land – a place where all conditions are conducive to Dharma practice. Zen Tradition – emphasizes meditation to eliminate the noisy conceptual mind. Vajrayana tradition emphasizes meditating on a deity in order to transform the contaminated body and mind into those of a Buddha. These are just brief descriptions of the Theravada and Mahayana Traditions{with some Mahayana subdivisions). There are many Buddhist Websites which contain internet e-books, teaching about Buddhism, its various traditions and how to follow the Buddhist Path. Buddhanet is probably one of the most reputable website to learn from: *https://www.buddhanet.net/ *https://www.buddhanet.net/ebooks.htm *https://www.buddhanet.net/qanda.htm Buddhanet teaches from both Theravada and Mahayana branches of Buddhism; ‘What Buddha Taught’ https://what-buddha-taught.net/ teaches from both the Theravada and Mahayana Traditions as well.

“Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness” – on following the Eightfold Path and “Mindfulness in Plain English” – on the practice of Mindfulness Meditattion – both By: Henepola Gunaratana; “Come and See for Yourself: The Buddhist Path to Happiness” By: Ayya Khema are all excellent Buddhist books, which are based on the Theravada Tradition.

“Buddhism For Beginners” by: Thubten Chodron ; “Beginning Mindfulness: Learning the Way of Awareness.” By: Andrew Weiss; “It’s Easier Than You Think: The Buddhist Way to Happiness.” by Sylvia Boorstein – are all excellent books from the Mahayana Buddhist Traditions.

Metta to all, Brian.

Answer by Tommy H
I would recommend the introductory book, ‘Falun Gong’, freely available on the web.

Guided meditation demonstration video, meditation music, and books about Falun Gong are free to download from the URL listed below. If you need any help, contact a local practitioner in your area for free instructions. Good luck and hope to see you soon.

Falun Gong is a unique Buddhist School, found in 1992 by Master Li Hongzhi in China. About 100 million people practice in over 80 countries worldwide. Falun Gong is an ancient practice for the body, mind, and spirit based upon the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance. Falun Gong consists of five sets of powerful exercises.

Falun Gong, Tibetans, other Buddhists, and Christians have been persecuted in China. The most offensive human right violation is the organ harvesting from the Falun Gong practitioners in China.
https://cipfg.org/en/news/petition.html