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Two very good introductory books about Buddhism are, "The heart of Buddhas teachings" by Thich Nhat hanh and "What the buddha taught" by Walpola Rahula. These books are an excellent introduction for those just getting into Buddhism. Very easy to read.
After reading these books and you want to learn more a bit more I recommend "In the Buddhas words". This book is an Anthology of discourses from the Pali Canon translated by Bhikku Bodhi. It is an excellent intro to Buddhist texts.
I don't think this book has been mentioned. Basic Teachings of the Buddha by Glenn Wallis (Modern Library). The selections appear in the front of the book without comment or notes. Each selection is discussed - often with good questions posed for the reader to consider, and there are extensive notes for each selection and these are very thorough.
I think it is an excellent book, and it would make a good "cherry picking" intro without attempting to survey the Nikayas formally.
Perhaps the best known text among non-Buddhists and admired by all Buddhists:
Quote:
15. The evil-doer grieves here and hereafter; he
grieves in both the worlds. He laments and is
afflicted, recollecting his own impure deeds.
16. The doer of good rejoices here and hereafter;
he rejoices in both the worlds. He rejoices and
exults, recollecting his own pure deeds.
17. The evil-doer suffers here and hereafter; he
suffers in both the worlds. The thought, “Evil
have I done,†torments him, and he suffers even
more when gone to realms of woe.
18. The doer of good delights here and hereafter;
he delights in both the worlds. The thought,
“Good have I done,†delights him, and he delights
even more when gone to realms of bliss.
19. Much though he recites the sacred texts, but
acts not accordingly, that heedless man is like a
cowherd who only counts the cows of others—he
does not partake of the blessings of the holy life.
20. Little though he recites the sacred texts, but
puts the Teaching into practice, forsaking lust,
hatred, and delusion, with true wisdom and
emancipated mind, clinging to nothing of this or
any other world—he indeed partakes of the
blessings of a holy life.
I can't find it in local libraries.
(funny how C-D Forum auto-censor edits part of the author's name..)
"Some years ago, Bhiksu Sangharak****a wrote an excellent book, A Survey
of Buddhism. As a survey, it gives a lucid exposition of the various facets of the
Dharma. In the preface to this book, the author writes to the effect that his utmost concern is to see the teaching as a whole and to see it in sufficient depth to be able to discern the underlying interconnections both within itself and to the spiritual life of the individual Buddhist. I believe this to be the proper stance for a student in pursuit of understanding any religion. All religious experiences are related in that it is at that deep level that one finds the common ground or the basic philosophical and spiritual principles upon which the whole structure of the teaching is based."
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Dhammapada
