1. "Tibetan Buddhism from the Ground Up" by B. Alan Wallace. A talented author with a deep understanding of Buddhism puts it into terms a beginner from the West can understand. Powerful yet easy.
   
   
2. "Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism" by Chogyam Trungpa. A contemporary classic by one of the most influential Tibetan Buddhist teachers in the West. Transcends East and West by eloquently addressing the processes of the mind and ego. Trungpa illuminates how some of these processes can undermine an otherwise wholesome relationship to ourselves and our basic goodness (Buddha nature) as well as our relationship with others. Sometimes stern, always inspiring and uplifting.
   
   
3. "Tibetan Book of Living and Dying" by Sogyal Rinpoche. A great "Bible" of Buddhism for Westerners, it contains explanations of all the major themes. Complete and detailed, perhaps not the first book for beginners.
   
   
4. "Entering the Stream-- An Introduction to the Buddha and His Teachings, edited by Samuel Bercholz. Generally brief, informal pieces by teachers who focus on making Buddhist ideas accessible to westerners. In all, a fine introduction to the power of Buddhist thought.
   
   
5. "When Things Fall Apart" by Pema Chodron. Excellent teachings by one of the West's foremost Buddhist writers, a Nova Scotian nun, on using our greatest struggles and challenges as catapults for growth.
   
   
6. "Start Where You Are- A Guide to Compassionate Living" by Pema Chodron. The faults and foibles in each of us now are the perfect ingredients for creating a better life. No need to wait for a quieter time or a more settled mind. The trick, Chodron says, is to repattern ourselves.
   
   
7. "The Art of Happiness-- A Handbook for Living" by the Dalai Lama. In this guide toward personal happiness, His Holiness the Dalai Lama offers daily meditations and stories to aid listeners in regaining lost happiness in their daily lives.
   
   
8. "Ethics for a New Millennium" by the Dalai Lama. A simple yet profound discourse on the nature of happiness and the uncompromising results of love. Perhaps even more compelling than The Art of Happiness.
   
   
9. "The Diamond Cutter" by Geshe Michael Roach. Roach, a top American scholar and monk, was instructed to return to business in the US after 22 years of Buddhist studies in India. The company he founded with four others and a $50M loan became a $175 million enterprise in 12 years. From this experience, Roach teaches us how to see our business problems as manifestations of our specific previous actions. Includes remedies for changing one's future. A fascinating book on karma.
   
   
10. "Comfortable with Uncertainty:108 Teachings" by Pema Chodron. More than just a collection of "thoughts for the day," Comfortable with Uncertainty offers a progressive program of spiritual study with Tibetan Buddhist nun and bestselling author Pema Chödrön. Inspired by the Buddhist tradition of the 108-day retreat, Pema Chödrön offers essential concepts and practices to help listeners become a "warrior-bodhisattva," who courageously takes up the path of awakening. (description courtesy of amazon.com).
    
    This text is used for our Sunday morning lectures.
    
    

"The Words of My Perfect Teacher" by Patrul Rinpoche

"Tantric Practice in Nyingmapa" by Khetsun Sangpo

"A Handbook of Tibetan Culture" for the extensive glossary put together at the Dalai Lama's request.

Magazines:

Shambhala Sun : "A magazine about waking up, bringing a Buddhist view to all the important issues in modern life." This is a really good periodical you can pick up at Wild Oats and other stores here in Nashville. A Vajrayana magazine in our own lineage.