The Buddha and His Teachings

Edited by Samuel Bercholz and Sherab Chodzin Kohn

This book was inspired by Bernardo Bertolucci's movie Little Buddha back in 1993-and it was intended as a reference for viewers of the film who wanted to learn more about Buddhism. It worked, and it sold a lot of copies back then. But it's not dated. It still serves as an excellent introduction to the buddhadharma. It's an anthology of classic texts and works by modern teachers that conveys the whole range of tradition, history, and practice. A perfect gift for your friend who wonders why the Buddha always seems to have a smile on his face.