RECOMMENDED BUDDHIST BOOKS AND READING ROOM

BUDDHIST FAITH FELLOWSHIP OF CONNECTICUT

RECOMMENDED BOOKS AND BUDDHIST READING ROOM

Below are our recommended Shin and other Shin-related Buddhist books. You may purchase these at most book sellers like Amazon, Borders, Barnes and Noble, etc.

Buddha: The Story of an Awakened Life

River of Fire, River of Water

Guide to Walking the Buddha's Eightfold Path

Tannisho

The Essential Shinran by Dr. Alfred Bloom

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

Bright Dawn

Shin Buddhism: Bits of Rubble Turned into Gold

The God Delusion

Watch the GOD DELUSION

Watch the VIRUS OF FAITH

The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins explores religious faith in the creator god which he defines as a "delusion." He looks at the Judeo-Christian-Islamic God hypothesis, natural selection, the problem with religion and then presents strong evidence against the God idea. This book was ranked #2 on Amazon.com bestsellers in 2006. Above are two links to his BBC series called The Root of All Evil which correlates well with his book The God Delusion. We recommend this book and videos for anyone exploring religion and spirituality because regardless of your religious path, "faith" should be based on reason, experience, balance and an open mind.

SHIN BUDDHIST READING ROOM

Below are links to fascinating Buddhist articles from a wide variety of topics.

SHIN UGLY BLOG is an informative resource to explore Shin Buddhism. It offeres Shin teaching in plain language.

THE BUDDHA'S WAY AND ABORTION: LOSS, GRIEF AND RESOLUTION By Yvonne Rand. The perspective on abortion she presents here has developed through experiences as a practicing Buddhist and as a Zen priest. Here she explores the Jizo Bodhisattva's...

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS OF BUDDHISM: Buddhism is a 'pagan' religion; All Buddhists believe in reincarnation; Buddhists must endure 'grueling' meditations; All Buddhists wear robes; etc.

BUDDHISM TODAY: This on-line magazine provides a multitude of excellent articles dealing with human rights, ethics, environmental and political issues, economics, meditation, management, holy places, science, poetry and Buddhist teachings.

PARABLE OF TWO RIVERS AND A WHITE PATH by Shao-Tao. This famous parable is quoted by Shinran in the Kyogyoshinsho. Translated by Hisao Inagaki, this a deeply spiritual parable that illuminates the Shin Buddhist path.

AMERICAN BUDDHISTS: WHO ARE THEY? by Jan Nattier. Buddhism is America's fastest growing religion. American Buddhists come in many stripes such as Evangelical Buddhists, Baggage Buddhists, etc.

CLICK HERE to enter our BFF web site that explains in detail the Integrated Shin & Zen Practice.

BASIC PURELAND BUDDHIST SCRIPTURES AND COMMENTARIES includes the Larger and Smaller Sutras, On Faith Alone and Glossary

BUDDHIST FUN & GAMES: Crossword Puzzles, Word Searches, Trivia Quizzes and Genius Test. Sponsored by the Venice Honwanji Buddhist Temple.

ON VEGETARIANISM by John Kahila. Are all Buddhists vegetarians? The First Precept admonishes us to refrain from killing, but meat eating is not regarded as an instance of killing, and it is not forbidden in the scriptures....

WHY BUDDHISM, WHY NOW? AND WHY IN AMERICA By Jan Nattlier. What fuels this attraction to the Buddhist faith? How are we to account for the fact that millions of Americans who were not raised as Buddhists are now drawn to The religion of love and enlightenment.

SHARING OUR FAITH WITH THE WORLD by Dr. Alfred Bloom. The e-article explores the issue of sharing the dharma with all, Shinran's vision, style and approach to mission work. A great read!

SHIN DHARMA NET: This web site offers a excellent resources, a Shin study course, sutras, documents, poetry, good links and more...

TANNISHO: A SHIN BUDDHIST CLASSIC, translated by Dr. Taitestu Unno. These are some of the sayings of Shinran Shonin recorded after his death.

THE COLLECTED WORKS OF SHINRAN SHONIN sponsored by the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha offers all of the works of this Buddhist reformer. It is a must to read and study!

DHARMA TALKS ON-LINE: Listen to Dharma Talks from past Sunday Services and other guest speakers from the Seattle Betsuin Church.

TENSIONS IN AMERICAN BUDDHISM by Religions & Ethic Newsweekly explores the growing tensions between Asian traditions and the emerging American Buddhist identity.

AMERICAN BUDDHIST STUDY CENTER'S BLOG AND ARTICLES offers insightful articles from Shin writers like Jeff Wilson, Gordon Bermant and Jose Tirado.

NOTES ON NEMBUTSU offers short essays and commentaries of the works of famous Pure Land teacher like T'an Luan, Shan Tao and Shinran.

EIKEN KOBAI KENSEI'S SHIN BUDDHIST STUDY CENTER. From one of Shin's leading chcolars, this web site looks to deepen the understanding of Shin Buddhisnm and the 16th century teacher, Rennyo Shonin.

TRICYCLE MAGAZINE'S BLOG: EVERYTHING BUDDHIST: This online magazine has free updated and monthly articles about the modern Buddhist world. A must to read!

PRESIDENT BUSH 'S VOW AGAINST BUDDHISTS: This June 2003 article explores the reasons why this American President will never offer an American Buddhist any opportunity to be a federal judge.

THE WRITINGS OF G.R. LEWIS. This web site contains some of the writings of the BFF founder and current President, G.R. Lewis. These web pages offer an insightful and deeply personal exploration into the heart of the Shin Buddhist path.

SHINJIN: THE CENTER OF EXPERIENCE: This article describes this dual nature with the term "true- entrusting", SHINJIN. Written by Jerry Bolick

IS SHIN BUDDHISM THE SAME AS CHRISTIANITY? by Rev. Philipp Karl Eidmann. This article discusses the similiarities and wide differences between these two traditions.

NEMBUTSU.INFO. This Australian web site offers an excellent introduction to Shin Buddhism. It covers the nature of Amida and the Pure Land, Shinjin, the Sacred Name (Nembustsu) and Shin's history and views on meditation.

"From the beginningless beginning
Of time itself,
Dharma - the true reality of Oneness,
Has constantly been evolving,
In its infinite way."

Sanbutsuge, Song of Praise I:I