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