Suggested Reading

In creating this handbook for members the following sources were used. For a other recommendations, please feel free to ask. There are a number of these books in our library. If you have any personal favorites or suggestions please let us know. These books are listed alphabetically.

An Introduction to Shin Buddhism Takamaro Shigaraki

Rev. Shigaraki was the head of the President of Ryukoku University and a very influential teacher to many of our Sansei ministers.

Awakening the Buddha Within Lama Surya Das

This is a simple approach to Tibetan Buddhist Practice and thought.

BCA 75 Year History vols 1,2. BCA

History of BCA and most of our Temples. Published in commemoration of BCA's 75th Anniversary.

Buddha's Wisdom Bag Rev. Masao Kodani

A modern interpretation of many of the Jataka Tales.

Cocktails Rev. Masao Kodani

A reference work for various Jodo Shinshu and Japanese American customs and words. The title refers to these facts are things you may talk about at a cocktail party.

Death (Rites of Passage) Revs Masao Kodani and Russell Hamada

A guide and explanation for Jodo Shinshu death customs, particularly for the mainland U.S.

December Fan Manshi Kiyozawa

Kiyozawa was a very influential teacher for modern Jodo Shinshu studies. This is a translation of a number of his essays.

Dharma Chatter Rev. Masao Kodani

This is a collection of essays written by Rev. Kodani in his temple's newsletter.

Engaged Pure Land Buddhism Revs Kenneth Tanaka and Eisho Nasu

A collection of articles in honor of Prof. Alfred Bloom

Entering the Stream Samuel Bercholz

A collection of essays pertaining to Buddhism. This was published as a companion guide to the movie "Little Buddha."

Everyday Suchness Gyomay Kubose

A series of essays by Rev. Kubose and his personal interpretation of Jodo Shinshu.

Foundations of Japanese Buddhism Alicia Matsunaga

This is a two volume set that covers the history and development of Japanese Buddhism and many of the cultural influences.

Gotama Buddha Hajime Nakamura

A scholarly investigation into the historical validity of the life of Shakyamuni Buddha. Hajime Nakamura is one of Japan's foremost authorities on Indian Buddhism.

History of Japanese Buddhism Masaharu Anesaki

This book was out of print for a number of years and then re-issued due to demand. It is a very comprehensive look at the history of development of Buddhism in Japan.

How the Swans Came to the Lake Rick Fields

Although this book may now be somewhat dated. It is one of the first books to examine the history of Buddhism in America

Jodo Shinshu Buddhism Tetsuo Unno

A collection of anecdotes, stories and essays on Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.

Living Buddha, Living Christ Nhat Hanh Thich

A somewhat comparative approach to the teachings of Buddhism and Christianity, by a Vietnamese Zen Priest.

Mahayana Buddhism Yoshifumi Ueda

Understanding Jodo Shinshu Buddhism within the context of its place in Mahayana Buddhism.

Naturalness Kenryo Kanamatsu

A classic work in English on the nature of Jodo Shinshu. It is a very poetic approach and was out of print for a number of years.

Ocean Rev. Kenneth Tanaka

A series of questions and answers on basics of Buddhism and Jodo Shinshu.

On Understanding Buddhism John Ross Carter

Basic Buddhism and its teachings.

Rennyo Minor and Ann Rogers

A comprehensive history of the development of Honganji and life of Rennyo Shonin. A full translation of the Gobunsho.

River of Fire, River of Water Taitetsu Unno

A collection of Essays about the nature of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Very readable.

Shin Buddhism's Essence Ryukyo Fujimoto

Prof. Fujimoto's translation of the Tannisho and his commentaries on it.

Shinran Yoshifumi Ueda and Dennis Hirota

A fairly comprehensive look and Shinran's life and the development of his religious thought.

Shinran's Gospel of Pure Grace Alfred Bloom

Prof. Bloom's introduction to Shinran Shonin's thought.

Tannisho (A Shin Buddhist Classic) Taitetsu Unno

Prof. Unno's translation and commentary on the Tannisho

Tannisho A Primer Dennis Hirota

Japanese and English versions of the Tannisho and a index of the vocabulary.

Thank You Namo Amida Butsu Rev. Chijun Yakumo

A collection of Rev. Yakumo's articles and essays.

The Collected Works of Shinran

This is the authoritative translation of Shinran's writings. It was issued by Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha. It is the entire Ryukoku Translation series in two vol. An important work for all members of our sect.

The Life of Esshini (Wife of Shinran) Yoshiko Otani

This book was written by the Mother of our current Gomonshu. It is the life of Eshinni and also translation of her letters.

The Three Pure Land Sutras Hisao Inagaki

One of the few complete translations of the three sutras which form the basis for Jodo Shinshu.

The Words of St. Rennyo Kosho Yamamoto

One of the only translations of Rennyo Shonin's Goichidai Kikigaki

Traditions of Jodo Shinshu Honganji-Ha Masao Kodani, Russell Hamada

The only work in English explaining many of the traditions of our sect.

Well Almost Everything you wanted to Know about Jodo Shinshu Rev. Kodani and Hamada

Various essays and explanations about Jodo Shinshu.

What the Buddha Taught Rahula Walpola

General Buddhism explained.