Shantideva Center's Bookstore
Welcome to the Bookstore
If you’ve visited the center, you’ve probably noticed our small bookstore. Starting September 1, this tiny-but-mighty bookstore will be getting a thoughtful refresh.
The top shelf will feature books that complement an upcoming teaching or simply spotlight a mind-blowing read chosen by a visiting teacher or center volunteer. While these books are not sold at the center, they are featured to share their wisdom and provide links to purchase them directly from the publisher—such as Wisdom Publications. The featured selection will change quarterly with the seasons, so if you see a book that speaks to you, don’t wait too long; it may be replaced. The bottom shelf is home to books available for purchase at the center. Beginning September 1, all bookstore titles on the bottom shelf will be 50% off while supplies last.
On this page, you’ll find information about the quarterly featured books, books currently on sale and available for purchase at the center, and additional reading gems that may not have made it onto the featured shelf but are still worth discovering. Whether you’re looking to deepen your practice, explore new perspectives, or find your next meaningful read, we hope this collection offers something that resonates with you.
Quarterly Featured Books: Fall Collection
Browse our curated bookstore featuring books that complement upcoming teachings and classes, along with selections recommended by our visiting teachers and volunteers. Each title has been chosen to inspire, support, and nourish our community.
Mahamudra: How to Discover Our True Nature by Lama Thubten Yeshe, Wisdom Publications (purchase here)
Teachings at the center on the topic of Mahamudra with Ven. Losang Gendun, Retreat: Mahamudra Meditation, Oct 3-4 and Elaine Jackson, Three Day Immersion in Mahamudra: A Direct Path to the Nature of Mind, Nov 6–8 ( Note: Registration and additional details for Elaine Jackson will be available in mid-September.)
Description
Mahamudra: How to Discover Our True Nature
Lama Yeshe tells us that mahamudra is “the universal reality of emptiness, of nonduality” and its unique characteristic is its emphasis on meditation: “With mahamudra meditation there is no doctrine, no theology, no philosophy, no God, no Buddha. Mahamudra is only experience.”
He relies on the First Panchen Lama’s well-known Root Text of Genden Mahamudra, which in a few short pages provides the pith instructions for, first, overcoming distraction and resting in meditative stillness on the clarity of one’s own mind, and then by using a subtle wisdom, penetrating its ultimate nature, its emptiness.
As always, Lama Yeshe’s words are direct, funny, and incredibly encouraging. He gets us to go beyond ego’s addiction to a limited sense of self and to taste the lightness and expansiveness of our own true nature. -From Wisdom Publications
The Attention Revolution: Unlocking the Power of the Focused Mind by B. Alan Wallace, Wisdom Publications (purchase here)
This book is a complementary read for the upcoming Sep 11 teaching ,From Cushion to Laboratory: The Science of Buddhist Meditation, at the center with Marina Vinyals and Hans Burghardt on what neuroscience is revealing about Buddhist meditation.
Description
The Attention Revolution: Unlocking the Power of the Focused Mind
As featured in Psychology Today.
Meditation offers, in addition to its many other benefits, a method for achieving previously inconceivable levels of concentration. Author B. Alan Wallace has nearly thirty years’ practice in attention-enhancing meditation, including a retreat he performed under the guidance of the Dalai Lama. An active participant in the much-publicized dialogues between Buddhists and scientists, Alan is uniquely qualified to speak intelligently to both camps, and The Attention Revolution is the definitive presentation of his knowledge.
Beginning by pointing out the ill effects that follow from our inability to focus, Alan moves on to explore a systematic path of meditation to deepen our capacity for deep concentration. The result is an exciting, rewarding “expedition of the mind,” tracing everything from the confusion at the bottom of the trail to the extraordinary clarity and power that come with making it to the top. Along the way, the author also provides interludes and complementary practices for cultivating love, compassion, and clarity in our waking and dreaming lives.
Attention is the key that makes personal change possible, and the good news is that it can be trained. This book shows how. -From Wisdom Publications
Awakening the Kind Heart: How to Meditate on Compassion by Kathleen McDonald (Ven. Sangye Khadro), Wisdom Publications (purchase here)
Author Ven. Sangye Khadro will be teaching at the center Oct 22–27 ( Note: Registration and additional details for Ven. Sangye Khadro’s teachings will be available in early September.). A related retreat on this topic is The Four Immeasurables: Warm Heart Fitness with Vinyals & Burghardt, Sep 12–13.
Description
Awakening the Kind Heart: How to Meditate on Compassion
A Spirituality & Practice “Best Spiritual Books of 2010” winner.
Everyone appreciates kindness. A smile, a few friendly words, a show of concern when we’re troubled or feeling unwell, an offer of help—gestures of kindness like these brighten our day and ease whatever sadness we may feel in our hearts. Feeling that “someone cares” fulfills a very deep need that we all have. And just as we appreciate other people being kind to us, others appreciate it when we are kind to them. That is why it is important to learn to be kind, because it will help make our relationships and interactions with others more satisfying and less problematic.
But it’s not always easy to be kind. Sometimes our hearts are filled with anger, jealousy, or pride, and being kind is the last thing we feel like doing. Or we get so caught up in our work and responsibilities that we find no time to think of others and their needs, no time to be kind and gentle. However, these problems can be remedied. The Buddhist tradition offers a wealth of methods that can be used to overcome whatever prevents us from being kind and gentle.
Some of these methods are explored and explained in this book—in a way that will allow you to practice them in your daily life. Awakening the Kind Heart offers powerful and inviting meditation techniques to activate the heart of kindness within us all—a modern and motivating interpretation of traditional and powerful practices.-From Wisdom Publications
Meditation offerings at the center & online include Tuesday’s Guided Meditation & The Real Work: A Weekly Sit for Working Stiffs (Vipassana Meditation), as well as Thursday’s Lunchtime Meditation.
Description
The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation
The Miracle of Mindfulness is a classic guide to meditation that has introduced generations of readers to the life-changing beauty of mindful awareness. Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh offers gentle anecdotes and practical exercise as a means of learning the skills of mindfulness. From washing the dishes to answering the phone to peeling an orange, he reminds us that each moment holds within it an opportunity to work toward greater self-understanding and peacefulness. This gift edition features Thich Nhat Hanh’s inspiring calligraphy, photographs from his travels around the world, and a revised afterword.From Beacon Press
Infinite Life: Awakening to Bliss Within by Robert Thurman, Riverhead Books (an imprint of Penguin) (purchase here)
One of Prof. Robert Thurman’s (1941–2026) many books on Tibetan Buddhism. Bob was a beloved scholar, teacher, and longtime advocate of Tibetan Buddhism.
Description
Infinite Life: Awakening to Bliss Within
One of Time magazine’s 25 Most Influential People in America writes about taking responsibility for our own happiness and our actions.
Robert Thurman is America’s most popular and charismatic Buddhist. His first book, Inner Revolution, is an international bestseller and his lectures sell out to thousands.
Infinite Life demonstrates that our every action has infinite consequences for ourselves and others, here and now and after we are gone. He introduces the Seven Paths to reconstructing body and mind carefully in order to reduce the negative consequences and cultivate the positive. In his powerful, pragmatic style, Thurman delivers life-changing lessons on virtues and emotions through the lens of Buddhist practices and ways of thinking. He invites us to take responsibility for our actions and their consequences while we revel in the knowledge that our lives are truly infinite. Infinite Life is the ultimate guidebook to understanding our place in the universe and realizing how we can personally succeed while helping others.-From Riverhead Books (an imprint of Penguin)
Bodhi Cheetah Always Wins by Jasmine Castigliano, Curious Adventures Publishing (an imprint of Journey Institute Press) (purchase here)
A Shantideva Center volunteer pick, this heartwarming children’s story about kindness, compassion, and discovering that true winning comes from caring for others.
Description
Bodhi Cheetah Always Wins
Everyone wants to race the fastest animal in the Savannah, Bodhi Cheetah. Come along as we watch Bodhi turn her friends’ disappointment into happiness. Through the magic of kindness, we see that even though Bodhi Cheetah never actually crosses the finish line, she always wins. - From Journey Institute Press
Books for Sale at the Center
Beginning September 1, 2026, all bookstore titles on the bottom shelf will be 50% off.
How to Practice Dharma: Teachings on the Eight Worldly Dharmas by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive. Originally $10, now $5. Sale starts September 1, 2026
Description
How to Practice Dharma: Teachings on the Eight Worldly Dharmas
.-From FPMT Foundation Store
The Foundation of Buddhist Practice (The Library of Wisdom and Compassion) Hardcover by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Thubten Chodron, Wisdom Publications. Originally $30, now $15. Sale starts September 1, 2026
Description
The Foundation of Buddhist Practice contains the important teachings that will help us establish a flourishing Dharma practice, beginning with the four seals shared by all Buddhist philosophies, and moves on to an explanation of the reliable cognition that allows us to evaluate the veracity of the Buddha’s teachings.
The book provides many other essential Buddhist teachings, including:
the relationship of a spiritual mentor and student, clarifying misunderstandings about this topic and showing how to properly rely on a spiritual mentor in a healthy, appropriate, and beneficial manner;
how to structure a meditation session;
dying and rebirth, unpacking the often difficult-to-understand topic of multiple lives and explaining how to prepare for death and aid someone who is dying;
a fruitful explanation of karma and its results;
and much more.
His Holiness’s illumination of key Buddhist ideas will support Western and contemporary Asian students in engaging with this rich tradition..-From Wisdom Publications
Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature (The Library of Wisdom and Compassion) Hardcover by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Thubten Chodron, Wisdom Publications. Originally $30, now $15. Sale starts September 1, 2026
Description
Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature
Knowledge of buddha nature reveals and reconciles the paradox of how the mind can be the basis for both the duhkha of samsara (the unpurified mind) and the bliss and fulfillment of nirvana (thepurified mind). To illustrate this, Saṃsāra, Nirvāṇa, and Buddha Nature first takes readers through Buddhist thought on the self, the four truths, and their sixteen attributes. It then explains afflictions—including how they arise and their antidotes—followed by an examination of karma and cyclic existence, and, finally, a deep and thorough elucidation of buddha nature. Saṃsāra, Nirvāṇa, and Buddha Nature shows us how to purify our minds and cultivate awakened qualities.
This is the third volume in the Dalai Lama’s definitive and comprehensive series on the stages of the Buddhist path, The Library of Wisdom and Compassion. Volume 1, Approaching the Buddhist Path,contains introductory material that sets the context for Buddhist practice. Volume 2, The Foundation of Buddhist Practice, describes the important teachings that help us establish a flourishing Dharma practice. Saṃsāra, Nirvāṇa, and Buddha Nature can be read as the logical next step in this series or enjoyed on its own.-From Wisdom Publications
Practical Ethics and Profound Emptiness: A Commentary on Nagarjuna’s Precious Garland Hardcover by Khensur Jampa Tegchok, Wisdom Publications. Originally $25, now $12.50. Sale starts September 1, 2026
Description
Practical Ethics and Profound Emptiness: A Commentary on Nagarjuna's Precious Garland
In Practical Ethics and Profound Emptiness Khensur Jampa Tegchok walks us carefully through a classic of Indian Buddhist philosophy, explaining the implications of its philosophical arguments and grounding its advice in a recognizable day-to-day world. In The Precious Garland, the source text for this commentary, Nagarjuna advises his patron king on how best to take advantage of human life to secure a happy rebirth in the next life while making progress toward the goal of enlightenment. Known primarily for his incisive presentation of emptiness, here Nagarjuna shows his wise understanding of how to navigate the intricacies of worldly life to balance everyday needs with spiritual practice. Loaded with equal measures of penetrating explanations of the highest reality and inspiring encouragement toward the bodhisattva practices, Practical Ethics and Profound Emptiness makes the case for living a thoughtful, morally upright life in the world to achieve immediate and ultimate spiritual goals.-From Wisdom Publications
Buddhism: One Teacher, Many Traditions Paperback by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Thubten Chodron, Wisdom Publications. Originally $20, now $10. Sale starts September 1, 2026
Description
Buddhism: One Teacher, Many Traditions
Buddhism is practiced by hundreds of millions of people worldwide, from Tibetan caves to Tokyo temples to redwood retreats. All these traditions trace their beginnings to the teachings of one man in India 2,500 years ago. These teachings spread worldwide in all directions and into numerous languages, making Buddhism one of the today’s most influential religions.
In this book, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron map out the convergence and divergence of the two major Buddhist movements—the Sanskrit traditions of Tibet and East Asia and the Pāli traditions of Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.
The authors consider Buddhism’s core practices and tenets, such as the four noble truths, the practice of meditation, the cultivation of love, and the meaning of nirvāṇa, and how the traditions sometimes agree and sometimes differ in their interpretations. The authors’ respectful approach illuminates the many ways that all forms of Buddhism, amid their rich diversity, share a common heritage and common goals.-From Ven. Thubten Chodron
This Fresh Existence: Heart Teachings from Bhikkhuni Dhammananda Paperback by Cindy Rasicot, Windhorse Publications. Originally $18, now $9. Sale starts September 1, 2026
Description
This Fresh Existence: Heart Teachings from Bhikkhuni Dhammananda
A TV personality, academic, and author, Bhikkhuni Dhammananda defied convention to become the first woman fully ordained in the Thai Theravada Buddhist tradition. She shattered gender barriers and inspired a new era of equality and compassion. Her student, American author Cindy Rasicot, tells her story, and shares Bhikkhuni Dhammananda’s gentle wisdom and direct insights about how to live a more compassionate life.-From Windhorse Publications
Chasing Buddha DVD, film by Amiel Courtin-Wilson. Originally $30, now $15. Sale starts September 1, 2026
Ven. Robina Courtin teaches The Way to a Meaningful Life bi-monthly and leads annual Buddhist holiday events at the center. She also offers annual retreats nearby and monthly teachings at Tibet House US. For Ven. Robina’s full schedule, please click here.
Description
Chasing Buddha DVD
Chasing Buddha is the portrait of a Buddhist nun, Robina Courtin: strong, aggressive and revered. A bundle of contradictions, a violater of expectations, someone with a robust and confrontational view of what it is to lead a spiritual life. - From Chasing Buddha film
Additional Reading Gems
Visiting teacher Geshe Lhakdor: Compassionomics: The Revolutionary Scientific Evidence that Caring Makes a Difference by Stephen Trzeciak (Author), Anthony Mazzarelli (Author), Cory Booker (Foreword) and other book suggestions on this page.
Visiting teacher Ven. Amy Miller: A list of books (and other ways of learning): Getting a Daily Practice Started from her Lamrim Retreat, July 2026 (PDF).
Visiting facilitator Jay L. Garfield: What I Don’t Know about Death: Reflections on Buddhism and Mortality by C. W. Huntington Jr and other book suggestions on this page.
Visiting facilitator Dr. Pilar Jennings: To Heal a Wounded Heart: The Transformative Power of Buddhism and Psychotherapy in Action by Pilar Jennings. Shambhala, 2017. Dr. Pilar Jennings will be teaching at the center Oct 9 &16, Working Through Our Mental Afflictions in Today’s World: A Buddhist & Psychotherapeutic approach to Attachment, Aversion & Ignorance
Volunteer Kim: Tara: The Liberating Power of the Female Buddha – 22 Meditations to Heal Ourselves and Repair Our World by Rachael Wooten, PhD
“The book explores the 22 manifestations of Tara, engaging with each one through traditional meditations, visualizations, praises, mantra chants, and the author’s extensive experience as a depth psychologist.”-Kim
Volunteer Bonnie: Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, translated by Hilda Rosner
“Not a Dharma book, but it will inspire you, like watching the original Star Wars trilogy back in the ’80s….May the Force be with you.:)—Bonnie
More book suggestions coming soon…
