Philosophy from every tradition, and the books members write and love, of every kind. Each has its own page: what it is, why read it, where to start, and what members thought. Put books on your shelf, rate what you have read, and add the books you think everyone should know.
The Diamond Sutra Anonymous Mahāyāna sutra
Anonymous Mahāyāna sutra · c. 2nd–4th century CE (dates debated)
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Intermediate Buddhist
The Heart Sutra Anonymous Mahāyāna sutra
Anonymous Mahāyāna sutra · c. 7th century CE or earlier (dates debated)
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Intermediate Buddhist
The Book of Lord Shang (Shangjunshu) Attributed to Shang Yang
Attributed to Shang Yang · c. 4th–3rd century BCE (compiled)
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Intermediate Chinese
The Blue Cliff Record (Biyan lu) Yuanwu Keqin (on verses by Xuedou Chongxian)
Yuanwu Keqin (on verses by Xuedou Chongxian) · verses 11th century; commentary compiled c. 1125
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Advanced Buddhist
The Gateless Gate (Wumenguan) Wumen Huikai
Wumen Huikai · 1228
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Intermediate Buddhist
The Record of Linji Linji Yixuan
Linji Yixuan · teachings 9th century; standard edition 1120
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Intermediate Buddhist
Great Calming and Contemplation (Mohe zhiguan) Zhiyi
Zhiyi · 594 CE (lectures; edited by Guanding)
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Advanced Buddhist
The Awakening of Faith in the Mahāyāna Traditionally attributed to Aśvaghoṣa
Traditionally attributed to Aśvaghoṣa · c. mid-6th century CE (dates debated)
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Advanced Buddhist
The Path of Beauty Li Zehou
Li Zehou · 1981
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
History Intermediate Chinese
A Short History of Chinese Philosophy Feng Youlan (Fung Yu-lan)
Feng Youlan (Fung Yu-lan) · 1948
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
History Beginner Chinese
Nineteen Lectures on Chinese Philosophy Mou Zongsan
Mou Zongsan · 1983 (lectures given 1978)
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Advanced Chinese
An Exposition of Benevolence (Renxue) Tan Sitong
Tan Sitong · c. 1896–1897; published 1899
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Advanced Chinese
Waiting for the Dawn (Mingyi daifang lu) Huang Zongxi
Huang Zongxi · 1662–1663
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Intermediate Chinese
Correcting the Unenlightened (Zhengmeng) Zhang Zai
Zhang Zai · c. 1076
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Advanced Chinese
Commentary on the Laozi Wang Bi
Wang Bi · c. 240s CE
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Advanced Chinese
Gongsun Longzi (including the White Horse Dialogue) Gongsun Long
Gongsun Long · c. 3rd century BCE (authenticity of parts debated)
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Advanced Chinese
Huainanzi Compiled under Liu An, King of Huainan
Compiled under Liu An, King of Huainan · 139 BCE (presented to the throne)
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Advanced Chinese
Liezi Attributed to Lie Yukou
Attributed to Lie Yukou · c. 3rd–4th century CE (compiled; contains older material; dates debated)
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Beginner Chinese
The Great Learning (Daxue) Traditionally attributed to Zengzi
Traditionally attributed to Zengzi · c. 3rd–2nd century BCE (dates debated)
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Beginner Chinese
Book of Changes (Yijing) Traditionally Fu Xi, King Wen and Confucius (anonymous layers)
Traditionally Fu Xi, King Wen and Confucius (anonymous layers) · core text c. 1000–750 BCE; commentaries c. 4th–2nd century BCE (dates debated)
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Advanced Chinese
Mozi Mozi (and the Mohist school)
Mozi (and the Mohist school) · c. 5th–3rd century BCE (compiled by later Mohists)
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Intermediate Chinese
Xunzi Xunzi
Xunzi · 3rd century BCE (compiled; some chapters probably by his students)
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Intermediate Chinese
Mencius (Mengzi) Mencius
Mencius · c. 4th–3rd century BCE (compiled by his followers)
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Intermediate Chinese
Samayasāra (The Essence of the Self) Kundakunda
Kundakunda · dates debated (estimates range from c. 1st century BCE to c. 8th century CE)
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Intermediate Indian