Top three introductions to Buddhism
With so many introductory books about Buddhism out there, most written by and for Buddhists, how can you find a good scholarly textbook to educate yourself or your students?
Here are Naomi Appleton’s top three introductions to Buddhism:
Damien Keown – Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction
The books in this very short introduction series are of variable quality, but I really enjoy this intro to Buddhism. It’s a great way in to understanding the basics of Buddhism, and provides lots of hints for further reading too.
Peter Harvey – An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices
A standard in the field for many years, Harvey’s textbook is pretty accessible and the students love it! It was one of the first books I read on Buddhism and remains a favourite.
John Strong – Buddhisms: An Introduction
Did you see what he did there?! Aha, suddenly the world of Buddhism is not so simple, for we can now appreciate that there are multiple Buddhisms! Actually, the book is not so very revolutionary, but it does do a fantastic job of introducing the wonderfully rich variety of Buddhism. It is my go-to recommendation for undergraduates and other advanced readers.
The “Top Three” series provides short reading recommendations on key topics.
