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From the Pali tradition: suttas and commentaries including the Dhammapada, the Samaññaphala-Sutta, the Ānāpānasati Sutta, and the Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta; key teachings like the Four Noble Truths; stories from the life of the Buddha; and essential guides to samatha and vipassana practice based on the canonical texts.

From East Asia: sutras like the Heart Sutra and commentaries, the Diamond Sutra, the Flower Ornament Sutra, the Samdhinirmocana Sutra, the Hui-neng (Platform) Sutra, the Sutra of Complete Enlightenment; important expositions including by Hakuin and Dogen; koan collections such as the Blue Cliff Record, the Book of Serenity, and that of Master Yunmen.

From the Sanskrit Indian tradition:  the Five Maitreya Texts of Asanga; other key texts studied today including those by Nagarjuna, Aryadeva, Chandrakirti, Shantideva, Shantarakshita, Vasubandhu, Strimati, and more.

From the Tibetan tradition: comprehensive overviews such as the Treasury of Knowledge and The Complete Nyingma Tradition;  important Lam Rims or Stages of the Path by Tsongkhapa, Gampopa, and Jigme Lingpa; Ngondro commentaries by Patrul Rinpoche and Dudjom Rinpoche; Essential overviews by Longchenpa, Rongzompa, Mipham Rinpoche, and more; and key Tantric expositions by Rangjung Dorje, Khenpo Ngawang Palzang, Sera Khandro, Dodrupchen Jigme Tenpa'i Nyima, and Lama Dampa Sonam Gyaltsen; and key tantras including the Guhyagarbha and Kunjed Gyalpo.

Foundational Buddhist Texts to Read



Middle Beyond Extremes, the Madhyāntavibhāga

Middle Beyond Extremes, the Madhyāntavibhāga

A Series of Articles on The Five Maitreya Texts Essential Texts in of the Mahayana in the Tibetan Tradition     Overview of the Five Maitreya Texts 1. The Ornament of Clear Realization, the A...

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The Ornament of Clear Realization, the Abhisamayālaṃkāra

The Ornament of Clear Realization, the Abhisamayālaṃkāra

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The Ornament of the Mahayana Sutras: The Mahāyānasūtrālaṃkāra

The Ornament of the Mahayana Sutras: The Mahāyānasūtrālaṃkāra

A Series of Articles on The Five Maitreya Texts Essential Texts in of the Mahayana in the Tibetan Tradition     Overview of the Five Maitreya Texts 1. The Ornament of Clear Realization, the A...

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The Distinction Between Phenomena and Their Nature, the Dharmadharmatāvibhāga

The Distinction Between Phenomena and Their Nature, the Dharmadharmatāvibhāga

A Series of Articles on The Five Maitreya Texts Essential Texts in of the Mahayana in the Tibetan Tradition     Overview of the Five Maitreya Texts 1. The Ornament of Clear Realization, the A...

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