Books About Buddha for Kids

From LoveToKnow Kids

When you want to teach your children about Buddhism and do not know where to begin, books about Buddha for kids are widely available online and at your local bookstore.

Choosing Books about Buddhism for Kids

It is important that you assess your own grasp on Buddhism and its concepts and philosophies before you begin teaching your children about Buddhism. It isn't necessary to delve into years of philosophical study, but you should consider conducting research beyond reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Not that Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance isn’t a great book, because it is. It is just geared toward adults more so than children. If you are just beginning to explore Buddhism yourself, begin with the basic concepts so that you will be prepared to answer your children's questions along the way.

The Four Noble Truths

Learning about the basic Buddhist philosophies of The Four Noble Truths is a great starting point for both you and your children when learning about Buddhism. The Four Noble Truths are:

The truth of suffering
The origin of suffering
The end of suffering
The path that leads to the end of suffering

The Eightfold Path

Look into the basics of the Eightfold Path in order to gain a better understanding of Buddhist philosophies on living. The Eightfold Path is as follows:

Right Thought
Right Speech
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration

Age Appropriate Books about Buddhism for Kids

All of the following children's books can be found on Amazon.

Ages 4-8

The Wisdom of the Crows and Other Buddhist Tales by Sherab Chodzin and Alexandra Kohn – The Wisdom of the Crows and Other Buddhist Tales is a collection of Buddhist stories from all around the world, including: India, Tibet, Myanmar, China and Japan.

The Dalai Lama by Demi - This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the story of the search for the 14th Dalai Lama, who was found at the age of two and taken to the Tibetan capital of Lhasa to begin his formal training as the next political and spiritual leader of Tibet.

Prince Siddhartha: The Story of Buddha by Jonathan Landaw – Siddhartha Guatama's journey from prince to the Buddha is a staple in Buddhist history. Jonathan Landlaw takes this story and transforms it into prose, making it easier for younger children to understand.

What Do We Know About Buddhism? by Anita Ganeri – This simple and easy to read book explains the basic practices and tenets of Buddhism.

A Pebble for Your Pocket by Thich Nhat Hanh – A Pebble for Your Pocket teaches children how Buddhists handle emotions such as anger and the concepts behind the Buddhist tenet of "living in the present moment".

Ages 9-12

Buddha Stories by Demi - Buddha Stories is a book of short stories related to Buddhist teachings, collected over the years by author and practicing Buddhist Demi.

The Golden Goose King: A Tale Told by the Buddha by Judith Ernst - This book tells the story of how the Buddha attained spiritual enlightenment and is a great introduction to Eastern tradition for children ages seven to twelve.

Buddhism by Anita Ganeri – Teach your children the history of Buddhism from its beginnings over 2,500 years ago to how it is practiced in modern times.

Kindness: A Treasury of Buddhist Wisdom for Children and Parents by Sarah Conover – This collection of 32 Buddhist tales are thought provoking and interesting.

The Life and Times of Buddha by Mona Gedney – Author Mona Gedney retells the story of the Buddha's life in a condensed format, making it easier to read for children.

Learning is a Journey

For people of all ages, learning about something new is a journey. Buddhist philosophies can often be very complex and will take some time to comprehend. These books provide parents with a few easy to use learning tools when introducing their children to Buddhism.

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