RECOMMENDED READING (Entries marked are by free distribution only; they're available in af

                          RECOMMENDED READING
                          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Entries marked * are by free distribution only; they're available in 
affiliated wats or meditation centres and in libraries.)
[Entries marked ++ are available in electronic editions via DharmaNet 
International, for free distribution.]

Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. //Buddha-Dhamma for Students//. The Dhamma Study and 
Practice Group, 1988; 85 pages. Questions and answers to such intriguing 
questions as "What subject did the Buddha teach?," "What should a 
layperson study?," "Where can we find the Buddha?," "What is Nibbana?," 
"Where can we put an end to suffering (dukkha)?" From 2 talks given to 
university students in Bangkok. Buddhadasa Bhikkhu is probably 
Thailand's most famous monk. His straightforward explanations of Dhamma 
practice have made the Buddha's teachings available to many people. (See 
"Suan Mokkh" under Southern Thailand for a description of his monastery 
and practice style.)

Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. //Handbook for Mankind//. Dhamma Study & Practice 
Group (Bangkok), 1989; 127 pages. This popular book presents Dhamma in 
very clear English. Topics include "The true nature of things," 
"Grasping and clinging," "The threefold training," "Insight by the 
nature method," and "Emancipation from the world."

Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. //Heart-Wood from the Bo Tree//. Suan Usom 
Foundation (Bangkok), 1985; and Wisdom Books (Boston), 1991; 99 pages. 
Collection of 3 talks about the heart-wood (pith or essence) of the 
Buddha's teachings - the dwelling with an empty mind free of clinging to 
the feeling of "I" and "mine." The author explains how the principle of 
emptiness can be a wonderful tool in Buddhist practice.

Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. //Mindfulness with Breathing: Unveiling the Secrets 
of Life//. The Dhamma Study & Practice Group (Bangkok), 2nd edition, 
1989; 174 pages. A well-written, step-by-step guide for the practice of 
anapanasati meditation. The author provides inspiration, advice on 
getting started, and guidance to the development of the highest 
benefits. A translation of the Buddha's Anapanasati Sutta has been 
included in the appendix of the 2nd edition.

Buddhaghosa, Bhadantacariya. //The Path of Purification (the 
Visuddhimagga)//. Translated by Nanamoli Bhikkhu. Buddhist Publication 
Society, 1956-1979; 885 pages. A systematic summary of the Buddha's 
teachings. Useful as a reference to Buddhist meditation techniques.

Buddharakkhita, Acharya. //METTA; The Philosophy & Practice of Universal 
Love//. Wheel Publication no. 365/366 of Buddhist Publication Society 
(Kandy, Sri Lanka), 1989; 48 pages. The Buddha's "Karaniya Metta Sutta" 
(Hymn of Universal Love) in Pali and English, aspects of metta, 
techniques for doing the practice, and the blessings of metta.

Chaa, Ajahn. //A Still Forest Pool//. Edited by Jack Kornfield and Paul 
Breiter. Theosophical Publishing House, 1985; 192 pages. A collection of 
short pieces, full of wisdom and humor. Ajahn Chaa had great skill in 
training monks - both Thai and foreign - at his Wat Nong Pah Pong and 
Wat Pah Nanachat (see descriptions under Northeastern Thailand)

Debvedi, Phra. //Sammasati; An Exposition of Right Mindfulness//. 
Buddhadhamma Foundation (Bangkok), 1988; 58 pages. An explanation of 
some of the facets of Right Mindfulness, the seventh factor of the Noble 
Eightfold Path. Meditators will find the information very helpful in 
understanding the process of wisdom development.

Dhamma Theerarach Mahamuni, Ven. Phra. //The Path to Nibbana (An 
Introduction to Insight Meditation)//. Section 5 of Wat Maha That 
(Bangkok), 1989; 82 pages. A meditation guide for experienced students 
with practical advice, 16 meditation exercises, and a "Manual for 
checking your "vipassana kammatthana progress."" Vipassana practice as 
done in Section 5 of Wat Maha That (see description under Bangkok).

*Dhammadharo, Ajahn Lee. //Food for Thought//. Wat Asokaram, 1989; 85 
pages. "Eighteen Talks on the Training of the Heart." Reflections on 
dealing with day-to-day difficulties and on the value of meditation 
practice. Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo (1906-1961) studied in the forest 
tradition with meditation master Ajahn Mun, then later founded Wat 
Asokaram (see description under Central Thailand).

++*Dhammadharo, Ajahn Lee. //Keeping the Breath in Mind//. Wat Asokaram, 
1990; 82 pages. Descriptions of 2 techniques of mindfulness with 
breathing, followed by advice on development of the practice.

*Disciples of Ajahn Chah. //Seeing the Way; Buddhist Reflections on the 
Spiritual Life//. Amaravati Publications (Hertfordshire, England), 1989; 
218 pages. "An anthology of teachings by English-speaking disciples of 
Ajahn Chah." A biography and teachings of Ajahn Chah appear at the 
beginning, but this book is really about the foreigners who ordained and 
trained in the forest tradition under him. In many ways these short 
pieces about and by these monks -- full of wisdom and humor -- portray 
the development of the senior western sangha. (All but Ven. Gavesako of 
Japan have come from western countries.)

Jandamit, Helen. //The Way to Vipassana; A Guide to Insight 
Meditation//. V.H. Publications (Bangkok), 1990; 57 pages. An 
illustrated introduction to vipassana meditation by one of the founders 
of the International Buddhist Meditation Centre.

Jantrupon, Chua. //Vipassana Bhavana (Theory, Practice & Result)//.
Boonkanjanaram Meditation Center (Pattaya, Thailand), 1988; 158 pages.  
Guide to the meditation system used at Wat Boonkanjanaram in Pattaya 
(see description under Central Thailand). Also good reading on Buddhist 
practice theory for those who use other techniques.

Khantipalo, Bhikkhu. //Banner of the Arahants//. Buddhist Publication 
Society, 1989; 229 pages. History and development of the Buddha's order 
of monks and nuns from the beginnings to the present age, presented in a 
Theravadan context. Good reading for anyone interested in ordaining.  
Explanations cover many of the practices done by monks today. The 
chapter on bhikkhunis and nuns probably has the best information 
available on women in the Sangha.

Kornfield, Jack. //Living Buddhist Masters//. Unity Press, 1977; and 
Buddhist Publication Society (Kandy, Sri Lanka), 1989; 319 pages. 
Descriptions of the life and teachings of 12 prominent meditation 
masters, half from Thailand (Ajahns Chah, Buddhadasa, Naeb, Maha Boowa, 
Dhammadaro, and Jumnien) and half from Burma (U Ba Khin and Sayadaws 
Mahasi, Sunlun, Taungpulu, Monhyn, and Mogok). Jack introduces important 
aspects of the Buddha's teachings at the book's beginning. Although some 
of these teachers have died, their disciples and meditation centers 
carry on the traditions. Especially recommended for one seeking a 
teacher or tradition in Thailand.

*Magness, T. //Samma Samadhi; The Method of Right Insight//. Wat Pak Nam 
(Bangkok), 1988; 77 pages. A guide to developing very refined levels of 
concentration using a series of spheres and human forms as mental 
images. Vipassana then takes place from the concentrated mind. This 
meditation system, popularized by the late abbot Ven. Chao Khun Mongkol- 
Thepmuni, is taught at Wat Pak Nam (see description under Bangkok).

*Maha Boowa Nanasampanno, Phra. //Forest Dhamma//. Wat Pah Ban That 
(Udon Thani, Thailand), 1976; 172 pages. A collection of writings and 
talks on Dhamma practice from the forest tradition. The first part, 
"Wisdom Develops Samadhi" presents most of the fundamentals of the 
meditation system taught at Wat Pah Ban That (see description under 
Northeastern Thailand). Ajahn Maha Boowa practised under Ajahn Mun for 9  
years, then spent much time in solitary practice and on tudong before 
founding Wat Pah Ban That.

*Maha Boowa Nanasampanno, Phra. //Phra Acharn Mun//. Wat Pah Ban That 
(Udon Thani, Thailand), 1982; 319 pages. A biography of the life and 
practice of meditation master Phra Acharn Mun Bhuridatto (1870-1949). 
This remarkable account presents much wisdom in the stories of the 
struggles, attainments, tigers, elephants, angels, and people 
encountered in Acharn Mun's life

Mahasi Sayadaw. //Practical Insight Meditation; Basic and Progressive 
Stages.// Buddhist Publication Society, 1971; 56 pages. Instructions on 
how to begin vipassana meditation, then develop the practice toward 
Nibbana. The author's meditation system, based on the Four Foundations 
of Mindfulness described in the Maha Satipatthana Sutta, has proved a 
powerful method of developing insight for many meditators.

Nanamoli, Bhikkhu (translator). //Mindfulness of Breathing 
(Anapanasati)//. Buddhist Publication Society (Kandy, Sri Lanka), 1982; 
124 pages. Bhikkhu Nanamoli translated and assembled the Anapanasati and 
related suttas from the Pali Canon with the relevant Pali commentaries. 
One can study the Pali teachings of this important meditation subject in 
one convenient source.

//Pali Chanting - with translations.// Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya Press 
(Bangkok), 1990; 79 pages. The most commonly used Pali chants, including 
refuges and precepts, blessings, protections, recollections, suttas, and 
morning and evening chants. Pali and English translations are side by 
side.

Pannavuddho Bhikkhu, Ven. Phra. //The Manual of Insight Meditation//. 
Wat Sai Ngam (Supanburi, Thailand), 1988; 49 pages. Illustrated guide to 
the meditation techniques taught by Ajahn Dhammadharo Bhikkhu and senior 
monks at Wat Sai Ngam (see description under Central Thailand).

Rahula, Walpola. //What the Buddha Taught//. Gordon Fraser (London), 
1959, 1978, and by other publishers; 151 pages. One of the classic 
introductions to the Buddha's teachings. The author has attempted to 
faithfully follow the ancient Pali texts in presenting "almost 
everything which is commonly accepted as the essential and fundamental 
teaching of the Buddha."

*Sumedho, Ven. Ajahn. //Mindfulness: The Path to the Deathless//. 
Amaravati Publications (Hertfordshire, England), 1987; 75 pages; 
previously published as "Path to the Deathless." Introduction to 
meditation -- what it is and how to do it -- and a reflection on the 
need for wisdom in the world. Ajahn Sumedho trained many years in the 
forest tradition of Thailand under Ajahn Chah.

Vajirananavarorasa, Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phraya. //The 
Entrance to the Vinaya//. vol. I. Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya Press 
(Bangkok), 1969; 246 pages. Monks discipline with detailed commentary; 
important reading both for laymen contemplating ordination and for 
monks.

Vajirananavarorasa, Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phraya. 
//Ordination Procedure and the Preliminary Duties of a New Bhikkhu//. 
Wat Bovornives Vihara (Bangkok), 3rd edition, 1989; 74 pages. An 
illustrated guide to the ordination ceremony used for novices and monks 
with complete Pali text and English translation; other chapters 
introduce the Vinaya, have morning and evening chantings with 
translations, and instructions for duties a new bhikkhu must perform.

*Yantra Amaro, Phra Ajahn. //Heart Blossom//. Dhammaleela Foundation 
(P.O. Box 24, Ratthewi, Bangkok 10400), 1990; 79 pages. Gentle advice on 
living happily through practice of Dhamma. Other books in Thai and 
English are available too, all by free distribution. Many people look up 
to Ajahn Yantra for his metta practice and skill at teaching meditation; 
he has several forest monasteries (see description of Sunnataram Forest 
Monastery under Central Thailand).

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