Reading List
Reading List for Buddhist Women Teachers: 2500 Years
A Note of Invitation:
During the Buddhist Women Teachers: 2500 Years lecture series with Sokaku Kathie and Zoketsu Norman Fischer, a number of wonderful books and historical sources were mentioned. Reading these is completely optional — we simply wanted to gather them here in case you’d like to explore further. If you’re feeling inspired, you’re warmly invited to dive into any of these teachings at your own pace, following your own curiosity and heart.
Women of the Way: Discovering 2,500 Years of Buddhist Wisdom
Author: Sallie Tisdale
Summary: A groundbreaking work that traces women Buddhist masters and teachers across continents and centuries, drawing upon historical, cultural, and Buddhist records to bring to life these narratives of ancestral Buddhist women.
The Hidden Lamp: Stories from Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women
Editors: Zenshin Florence Caplow & Reigetsu Susan Moon
Summary: A collection of one hundred koans and stories of Buddhist women from the time of the Buddha to the present day. Each story is accompanied by a reflection by a contemporary woman teacher, bringing ancient tales to life for modern readers.
Zen Women: Beyond Tea Ladies, Iron Maidens, and Macho Masters
Author: Grace Schireson
Summary: This book provides a comprehensive look at the role of women in Zen Buddhism, challenging stereotypes and highlighting the contributions of female practitioners throughout history.
Women Under Primitive Buddhism: Laywomen and Almswomen
Author: I.B. Horner
Summary: A scholarly examination of the roles and statuses of women in early Buddhist communities, focusing on both laywomen and ordained nuns.
In Search of Buddha’s Daughters: The Hidden Lives and Fearless Work of Buddhist Nuns
Author: Christine Toomey
Summary: A global journey exploring the lives of Buddhist nuns, shedding light on their spiritual practices, challenges, and contributions to Buddhism.
Zen Sanctuary of the Divine Purple Robes: Japan’s Tōkeiji Convent Since 1285
Authors: Sugawara Makoto and Robert Morrell
Summary: A detailed history of Tōkeiji Convent, a sanctuary for women in Japan, highlighting its significance in providing refuge and spiritual practice for centuries. Draws from Word Weeds in Southern Sagami Province (1545), an ancient koan collection featuring stories and teachings from Buddhist practitioners.
Reflections of a Zen Buddhist Nun: Essays by Zen Master Kim Iryŏp
Author: Kim Iryŏp; Translated and introduced by Jin Y. Park
Summary: A collection of essays by Kim Iryŏp, a pioneering Korean Buddhist nun, offering insights into her spiritual journey and perspectives on Zen practice.
Purchase: https://uhpress.hawaii.edu/title/reflections-of-a-zen-buddhist-nun/
Subtle Sound: The Zen Teachings of Maureen Stuart
Author: Maureen Stuart; edited by Jean Smith
Summary: This collection captures the deeply intuitive and accessible style of Maureen Stuart Roshi, one of the first female Rinzai Zen teachers in America. Through her talks and informal conversations, Stuart emphasizes Zen as a path of kindness, patience, and daily attentiveness rather than rigid striving. Her teachings resonate with a gentle yet powerful wisdom, offering inspiration to anyone drawn to a heartfelt, noncompetitive approach to practice.
Seeds for a Boundless Life: Zen Teachings from the Heart
Author: Zenkei Blanche Hartman; Edited by Zenju Earthlyn Manuel
Summary:
This luminous collection brings together Dharma talks, teachings, and personal reflections from Zenkei Blanche Hartman (1926–2016), the first female abbess of San Francisco Zen Center. Edited by Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, the book reflects Blanche’s gentle presence, fierce compassion, and unwavering commitment to equality in practice. Her voice shines through as she touches on themes like lovingkindness, grief, faith, mindfulness, and the everyday work of opening the heart. A beloved teacher and pioneer in American Zen, Blanche’s teachings are intimate, spacious, and deeply grounded in her decades of practice and service.
Being Nobody, Going Nowhere: Meditations on the Buddhist Path
Author: Ayya Khema
Summary:
A clear, grounded, and accessible guide to foundational Buddhist teachings, Being Nobody, Going Nowhere presents Ayya Khema’s meditation retreat talks on topics like the Eightfold Path, the five aggregates, no-self, mindfulness, and the nature of suffering. With practical instructions and encouragement, she invites readers to recognize impermanence, loosen attachment, and cultivate a path toward true freedom beyond ego and clinging.
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Further Reading
The Works of Caroline Rhys Davids
Author: Caroline Rhys Davids
Summary: A compilation of works by Caroline Rhys Davids, a prominent Pali scholar, offering translations and interpretations of early Buddhist texts.
The Works of Kim Iryŏp (김일엽)
Author: Kim Iryŏp
Summary: A collection of writings by Kim Iryŏp, encompassing her essays, poems, and reflections on Buddhism and women’s roles in spiritual practice.
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If you need further assistance or additional information on any of these texts, feel free to ask!