Most courses at Maitripa College will require readings provided as PDF via each courses' Populi Classroom site, or from the texts listed below. Instructors have provided the following list of books that students will be required to obtain, either by purchase or borrow from a library. The course syllabus is the authoritative source of information, as readings may be changed, and not all courses are listed here. At least one copy of all required books is held in the Course Reserve shelves of the library, available for two-hour, on-site circulation. If additional copies are in our collection, they are available for circulation.
2025 Fall
CS301: The Alchemy of Service: Spiritual Transformation on the Path
- Loy, David R. 2010. The World Is Made of Stories. Wisdom Publications.
- Nhất Hạnh, Thích. 2010. You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment. Translated by Sherab Chödzin Kohn. Shambhala. JABL
- Any autobiography (or biography, but autobiography is more inspiring!) of the Dalai Lama. Here are three from which you might choose: Freedom in Exile: The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama (JABL, JABL); My Spiritual Journey: Personal Reflections, Teachings, and Talks (JABL); My Land and My People (JABL)
CS303: Chaplaincy and Models of Spiritual Care
- Cadge, Wendy and Shelly Rambo, eds. 2022. Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care in the Twenty-First Century: An Introduction. The University of North Carolina Press. JABL
- Giles, Cheryl and Willa Miller, eds.2012. The Arts of Contemplative Care: Pioneering Voices in Buddhist Chaplaincy and Pastoral Work. Wisdom Publications. JABL
- Michon, Nathan, ed. 2023. Refuge in the Storm: Buddhist Voices in Crisis Care. North Atlantic Books. JABL
- Sanford, Monica, 2025. Kalyanamitra: Pragmatic Skills for Buddhist Spiritual Care, Volume II. Sumeru Press. JABL
- Sanford, Monica. 2020. Kalyāṇamitra: A Model for Buddhist Spiritual Care, Volume I. Sumeru Press. JABL
HIS325: The History and Culture of Buddhist Tibet
- Lewis, Sara E. 2019. Spacious Minds: Trauma and Resilience in Tibetan Buddhism. Cornell University Press. JABL
- Tsering Yangzom. 2022. We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies: A Novel. Bloomsbury Publishing. JABL
MDT301: Introduction to Tibetan Buddhist Meditation
- Bstan-ʼdzin-rgya-mtsho, and Thubten Chodron. 2019. Following in the Buddha's Footsteps. Wisdom Publications. JABL
- McDonald, Kathleen. 2024. How to Meditate on the Stages of the Path: A Guide to the Lamrim. First edition. Wisdom Publications. JABL (coming soon)
- Rinpoche, Lama Zopa. 2024. The Power of Meditation: A Complete Guide to Transforming Your Mind. Wisdom Publications. JABL
MDT303: Techniques of Meditation: Madhyamaka
- Bstan-ʼdzin-rgya-mtsho. 2004. Practicing Wisdom: The Perfection of Shantideva's Bodhisattva Way. Wisdom Publications. JABL
- Bstan-ʼdzin-rgya-mtsho. 2005. Essence of the Heart Sutra: The Dalai Lama's Heart of Wisdom Teachings. Wisdom Publications. JABL
- Bstan-ʼdzin-rgya-mtsho, and Thubten Chodron. 2022. Searching for the Self. Wisdom Publications. JABL
PHL301: Introduction to Buddhist Thought
- Bstan-ʼdzin-rgya-mtsho. 2006. How to See Yourself as You Really Are. Translated by Jeffrey Hopkins. Atria Books. JABL
- Bstan-ʼdzin-rgya-mtsho, and Thubten Chodron. 2022. Searching for the Self. Wisdom Publications. JABL
- Yangsi, Rinpoche, and Miranda Adams. 2003. Practicing the Path: A Commentary on the Lamrim Chenmo. Wisdom Publications. JABL
PHL303: Madhyamaka Philosophy: Where is the Middle Way?
Jampa Tegchok, Khensur, ed. 2012. Thubten Chodron. Insight into Emptiness. Wisdom Publications. JABL
Nāgārjuna, and Jay L. Garfield. 1995. The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way: Nāgārjuna's Mūlamadhyamakakārikā. Oxford University Press. JABL
THL328: Approaches to the Study of Religion: Theory, Belief, and Practice
Fieser, James, and John Powers, eds. 2022. Scriptures of the World's Religions. Seventh edition. McGraw Hill. JABL (coming)
Pals, Daniel L. 2009. Introducing Religion: Readings from the Classic Theorists. Oxford University Press. JABL (coming)
TIB101: Introduction to Classical Tibetan Language
- Wilson, Joe B. 1991. Translating Buddhism from Tibetan. Snow Lion. JABL