This is a short list of authors and books which have recently (2024) been recommended by some of our members. Most of these authors have a much richer catalogue than we have listed here, so use this as a guide and taster. Additionally, there will be some glaring omissions – which only means that they weren’t recommended recently, not that we don’t agree they are excellent zen books. Some, for example, may be seen as ‘obvious’ (for example, Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind).
We’ll continue to update this list from time to time and will be happy to receive other recommendations (Message the IZAUK Friends Trustee from the contact page ) – particularly for newer authors and books which may not have crossed the radar of some people.
There has been a general attempt, with some exceptions, to make this list Soto Zen focused – so excellent books by Rinzai teachers, or the Dalai Lama, or Thich Nhat Hahn have been omitted.
Amphoux, Nancy (Nan Shin)
- “Diary of a Zen Nun”, 1986
Anderson, Reb
- “Being Upright: Zen Meditation and the Bodhisattva Precepts”, 2001
Arai, Paula
- “Women Living Zen: Japanese Soto Buddhist Nuns”, 1999
- “Bringing Zen Home: The Healing Heart of Japanese Women’s Rituals”, 2011
Beck, Charlotte Joko
- “Everyday Zen: Love and Work”, 1996
- “Nothing Special: Living Zen”, 1995
Caplow, Florence and Susan Moon
- “The Hidden Lamp: Stories from Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women”, 2013
Carney, Eido Frances
- “Receiving the Marrow: Teachings on Dogen by Soto Zen Women Priests”, 2012
Coupey, Philippe Rei Ryu
- “Zen, Simply Sitting: A Zen monk’s commentary on the Fukanzazengi (Universal Guide on the Correct Practice of Zazen) by master Dogen” – 2006
- “The Song of the Wind in the Dry Tree: Commentaries on Dogens Sansho Doei & Koun Ejos Komyozo Zanmai”, 2014
Deshimaru, Taisen – Translator: Nancy Amphoux
- “Questions to a Zen Master: Political and Spiritual Answers from the Great Japanese Master”, 1992
Deshimaru, Taisen – Translator: Ilsa Fatt Priest – Revised and corrected by Philippe Coupey
- “The Sutra of Great Wisdom: Commentary by Master Taisen Deshimaru on the Hannya Haramita Shingyo”, published by AZI, available from IZAUK Boutique
Hartman, Zenkei Blanche
- “Seeds for a Boundless Life: Zen Teachings from the Heart”, 2015
Katagiri, Dainin
- “Returning to Silence: Zen Practice in Everyday Life (Shambhala Dragon Editions): Zen Practice in Daily Life”, 1988
- “You Have to Say Something: Manifesting Zen Insight”, 1998
Kim, Hee-Jin
- “Eihei Dogen: Mystical Realist”, 2000
Leighton, Taigen Dan
- “Zen Questions: Zazen, Dogen, and the Spirit of Creative Inquiry”, 2011
- “Faces of Compassion: Classic Bodhisattva Archetypes and Their Modern Expression”, 2012
- “Just This Is It: Dongshan and the Practice of Suchness”, 2015
Manders, Kevin, Elizabeth Marston et. al.
- “Transcending: Trans Buddhist Voices” – 2021
Manuel, Zenju Earthlyn
- “Way of Tenderness: Awakening Through Race, Sexuality, and Gender”, 2015
- “The Deepest Peace: Contemplations from a Season of Stillness”, 2020
- “Tell Me Something About Buddhism: Questions and Answers for the Curious Beginner”, 2011
McKenzie, Vickie
- “Cave in the Snow”, 1998
O’Halloran, Maura
- “Pure Heart, Enlightened Mind: The Life and Letters of an Irish Zen Saint”, 2007
O’Hara, Roshi Pat Enkyo
- “Most Intimate: A ZEN Approach to Life’s Challenges”, 2014
Okumura, Shohaku
- “Living by Vow: A Practical Introduction to Eight Essential Zen Chants and Texts”, 2012
- “Realising Genjokoan: The Key to Dogen’s Shobogenzo”, 2010
- “The Mountains and Waters Sutra: A Practitioner’s Guide to Dogen’s Sansuikyo”, 2018
Okumura, Shohaku and Taigen Daniel Leighton (Translators)
- “Dogen’s Pure Standards for the Zen Community: A Translation of Eihei Shingi”, 1996
Red Pine (Bill Porter)(Translator)
- “The Diamond Sutra: The Perfection of Wisdom (New Edition)”, 2002
- “The Zen Teachings of Bodhidharma”, 1987
Schireson, Grace
- “Zen Women: Beyond Tea Ladies, Iron Maidens and Macho Masters”, 2009
Sawaki, Kodo (Translated by: Muho Noelke and Reiho Jesse Haasch )
- “To You: Zen Sayings of Kodo Sawaki”, 2021
Tanahashi, Kazuaki
- “The Heart Sutra: A Comprehensive Guide to the Classic of Mahayana Buddhism”, 2016
- “Sky Above, Great Wind: The Life and Poetry of Zen Master Ryokan”, 2012
- “The Essential Dogen: Writings of the Great Zen Master”, 2013
- “The Treasury of the True Dharma Eye: Zen master Dogen’s Sobo Genzo”, 2013
Toomey, Christine
- “In Search of Buddha’s Daughters: The Hidden Lives and Fearless Work of Buddhist Nuns”, 2017
Uchiyama, Kosho and Shohaku Okumura
- “The Zen Teachings of Homeless Kodo”, 2014
Uchiyama, Kosho
- “Opening the Hand of Thought: Foundations of Zen Buddhist Practice”, 2004
Weingast, Matty and Bikkuni Anandabodhi
- “The First Free Women: Poems of the Early Buddhist Nuns”, 2020
Warner, Brad
- “Hardcore Zen”, 2003 Wisdom Publications
- “The Other Side Of Nothing: The Zen Ethics of Time, Space, and Being”, 2022
- “Sit Down and Shut Up: Punk Rock Commentaries on Zen and Dogen’s Treasury of the right Dharma Eye”, 2007
Wolfer, Jikyo Cheryl
- “Seeds of Virtue, Seeds of Change: A Collection of Zen Teachings”, 2014
Yokoi, Yuho and Daizen Victoria
- “Zen Master Dogen: An Introduction with Selected Writings”, 1976