The benefits of Buddhist books for children
Buddhism can teach children to think for themselves, teach them about empathy and compassion. Which is needed since we, as a society, have failed in teaching these values to our children.
Serious flaws in our education system result in basic skills not being learned. Society cries out for change, and attempts are made, but are we making any progress?
Also parenting and human interaction could be improved upon. Centuries of the principle that humans are innately evil, of penance, of shame and guilt induction, of duty and obligations are hard to shake off. We imprint bad habits on our children and start cycles all over again. The suffering does not end.
Buddhist stories can help shift towards a more healthy, less violent culture. Maybe you do not realize our culture is completely permeated with violence (a striking example is our language).
Some more benefits:
- Buddhism can help develop compassion in a culture where violence is made enjoyable. Just think about the majority of movies and children’s cartoons in which the hero kills or beats someone up.
- A developed introspective look helps banish neuroticism and superstition. If you are able to feel what’s going on inside and outside, you are better capable of empathy.
- Empathy breaks down hierarchic structures and, more importantly, imagination requires empathy.
In his book The Empathic Civilization bestselling author Jeremy Rifkin points out that global empathy is essential in being able to cope with the great challenges of our time. A drastic change in human consciousness, are needed. Empathy will be needed for our survival as a species.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” –Albert Einstein
Buddhism can be fun too
Enlightenment doesn’t require sitting under a tree for days. Nor does it call for being taught about or believing in Buddhism.
Just by amusing yourself and your child with the often both entertaining and meaningful Buddhist stories you may give them an edge in becoming generous, compassionate, virtuous, responsible, and self-reflecting beings.
These books may provide them with tools for learning what is really important in life and equip them with some basic skills needed to find happiness.
The top 10 books on Buddhism for children
This list contains the most popular, highest rated, best selling books. It also explains why these books are so great.
Through these books children will learn the basics of Buddhism. The beautiful colorful illustrations, and vivid metaphors will also teach children about relaxation, happiness, breathing, and even meditation.
Buddhism made accessible and enjoyable for children. This book covers a broad range of Buddha's basic teachings. It includes 20, both short and long, stories about how to be wise and thoughtful. These stories are modern retellings of ancient Buddhist tales.
They have shown to be entertaining for children and adult parents alike. In fact they contain wonderful lessons for grown-ups as well. So beware, as a parent or grandparent you might learn something new and educational along the way.
#1 Buddha at Bedtime
Buddha at Bedtime offers an introduction to basic meditation and relaxation techniques, and demonstrates how to discuss the stories with your child. Furthermore there’s an overview of The Four Noble Truths, The Eightfold Path, and The Five Precepts.Recommended for children of ages 4-10.
Buddha at Bedtime: Tales of Love and Wisdom for You to Read with Your Child to Enchant, Enlighten and Inspire by Dharmachari Nagaraja.
#2 The Three Questions
Based on the short story by Russian author Leo Tolstoy,
The Three Questions is such a book that’s highly valued by both children and parents as well. This story concerns a king who wants to find the answers to what he considers the three most important questions in life.
Jon J Muth’s The Three Questions teaches children about compassion and living in the moment. The beautiful water-colored illustrations and the charming narrating style make this one of the best Buddhist books for children.
Focused on children aged 5 to 9 but readers from all ages might be able to satisfy their basic spiritual needs with it too.
This author’s children’s books have received numerous awards.
“The Three Questions is quietly life-changing” according to The New York Times Book Review. Here’s the praiseful NY Times article.
”The Three Questions” presents a world of moral consequence and choice, where questions of right and wrong must be puzzled out and where each person’s actions really do make a difference. Young and old readers alike will take heart from that.”
#3 Peaceful Piggy Meditation
Simple meditation techniques for children. Peaceful
Piggy Meditation is a great book in itself but is also very useful as a tool to help restless, hyperactive children find some inner peace.
This book deserves to be in the top 10 because it is one of the few children’s books on Buddhism that explains and teaches age-appropriate meditation techniques.
Despite it’s core topic being meditation the book has a down-to-earth, modern narrative style (e.g. there are video-game playing pigs). Reading this book at bedtime might help create an oasis of calmness and relaxation in a childs (and their parents) life.
“The book guides children through the reasons why meditation is necessary, and believe me when I say it is the best book on the market for doing so (I looked around extensively). Especially good is the “mind-in-a-jar” experiment at the end of the book which gives a concrete, hands-on demonstration of why meditation is necessary.” Amazon reviewer
Peaceful Piggy Meditation (Albert Whitman Prairie Books)
#4 Zen Ties
Probably the best child book on Zen. Zen Ties is another book of the hand of author and illustrator Jon Muth. In this particular book, Muth has done a great job in making Zen ideas and practices accessible to children.
Themes of this book are; non-judgment, acceptance, friendship, forgiveness, connections, and community.
This is another example of a book written for children that is capable of teaching adults some valuable life lessons too.
“He lovingly distills the wisdom of ancient Zen teachings into the most touching and practical stories about the things we all come up against in life and frequently do not, despite our best intentions, know how to handle.”
#5 Each Breath a Smile
Great book on mindful breathing and a wonderful
children's book written by Sister Thuc Nghiem (Susan Swan), a grandmother, former teacher, and a nun in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh.
Each Breath a Smile shows children how to relax and enjoy happiness through mindful breathing. This way they learn about Buddhism and how breathing the right way can help them experience calmness and joyfulness.
For preschool-aged children.
Each Breath a Smile by Sister Susan. Plum Blossom Books.
#6 I Once Was a Monkey: Stories Buddha Told
An introduction to Buddhism for children. Another example of a book that does a great job at offering children an introduction to Buddhism. The key themes of this book are; trust, telling the truth, friendship and kindness
I Once Was a Monkey: consists of short stories addressing universal values. These stories are based on jakatas.
Jakatas are tales that Buddha told. They are based on the experiences, and lessons that Buddha learned through his past lives as different animals. Buddha has been a monkey, dove, lion, jackal, and dove.
#7 Anh’s Anger
Anh’s Anger The author of this book is Thich Nhat Hanh , one of the most renowned Buddhist authors, Zen master, and Buddhist teachers. His typical sensitive and caring approach make this book about anger a true gem.
It teaches both children and parents about the value of acknowledging and resolving complex emotions such as anger.
“A really simple and yet profound story of a grandfather teaching a young boy how to sit with the difficult emotion of anger. A lesson not just for children but grown ups as well.”
#8 A Pebble for Your Pocket
Another children's book by Thich Nat Hahn. It covers core topics like living in the now, awareness, and spirituality in general.
A Pebble for Your Pocket isn’t a picture book, so it’s probably best suitable for 8-12 year olds and children that read independently.
“A Pebble for Your Pocket is a gem from a true spiritual master.” Parenting with Spirit magazine
#9 Parrot and the Fig Tree
The Jataka Tales are a group of folk stories that
originated in India, each of which relays an ethical teaching. Animals and magical beings, representing Buddha’s former lives, play an essential role in these tales.
The tale of Parrot and the Fig Tree introduces seasons, the interdependency of all beings, and the value of loyalty.
A parrot refuses to abandon his good friend, a fig tree, even during winter when the tree has no figs, and eventually even when it is destroyed by a storm. For his loyalty to the tree, the parrot is rewarded by the god Shakra, with the rebirth of the tree.
#10 Magic of Patience (A Jataka Tale)
Buffalo persists in being kind and patient with the
mischievous Monkey, despite all his annoying tricks.
Core topic of this book is how to show patience, instead of anger, and how this behavior can yield goodwill and harmony.
*Includes coloring pages.
Buddhist stories can open the hearts and minds of people but don't take my word for it. If you investigate it as the Buddha said you should you’ll know it’s true.
Buddhism, offering its insightful look into human nature and motivations and all life around us is a great way for your child or grandchild to inspire them to read and think deeper, search further, and explore their own as well as feelings of other living beings on our planet.
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