AWAKENING THE BUDDHA WITHIN - LAMA SURYA DAS

RATING: A

I have read this book before - several times; in fact, it is one of my favorite books. I first read it when borrowing it from Wollongong library back in 2005/6/7 when I first began to read books on Buddhism, & now that I have my own copy, I decided to read it again.

Ah! Lama Zopa Rinpoche was mentioned in this book! I had forgotten about that. Among other highlights, references to Dzogchen, pointing out awareness of body, emotions, thought, and deed, and the mindfulness meditation on page 351 were helpful.

I would recommend the book to anyone searching for a starting or continuing point for personal practice - or just as a good, informative read.

PRACTICING PEACE IN TIMES OF WAR - PEMA CHODRON

RATING: B+

A small and short - yet helpful - book.The text explains how individuals can take personal actions to assist with the lessening and alleviation of war within the world as a whole. I found chapter three on SHENPA to be especially helpful and will be following my read with some action/practice.

This is a good read for peace activists and people with personal wars. It is also worth reading if you want a few pointers at improving yourself.

THE POCKET TIBETAN BUDDHISM READER - REGINALD A RAY

RATING: B+

This book is a collection of quotations from Tibetan Buddhist masters throughout the ages. My favorite quote is on page 162, by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche. Covering all Tibetan traditions and spanning the centuries, it is a concise 'what we believe' in the actual words of various respected masters.

I would recommend this book to those practicing Tibetan Buddhism as a reminder and back-up, while also recommending it to those curious as to what Tibetan Buddhism is about. I shall pop my copy on my alter for future reference.

Buddhist books, a general review, and my own favs

HERE is a link to a list of the 'best' Buddhist books for 2012. I could do my own top ten, perhaps - although most of the books I read over the past year were not actually written/published in the actual year...

HERE is a more general 2012 review, which includes authors who have died during the year as well as notable releases.

I could make a list of my top ten all-time books - which would include the one I am currently reading by Lama Surya Das and the biography of Acariya Mun. However, I doubt I would get beyond that, as there are a couple I have read and found helpful but forgotten the titles to! Look out for an upcoming report on the LSD book which I am currently about to begin the last 50 pages of - although I have read it a few times already. I have JUST finished another book, which I will report on shortly - and am a few pages from the end of another book...

As a child, my favs would include The Children of Green Knowe, The Hole in the Hill, and 7 Little Australians. As a teen, I prefered Children of the Stones, Ibsen's Peer Gynt, a few Shakespeare plays and various books on campanology. These days, I no longer read fiction - except for special occasions such as when a friend of mine has a fiction book published - I prefer Buddhist practice and theory, Indian philosophy, travel and vegan cookery...