We are in the process of curating a series of short, small books which will have the series name Buddhism in a Nutshell. Each title in the series will focus on a particular theme or practice, and how secular dharma informs it.
Small enough to fit into a bag or a coat pocket, each book will be between 10,000 and 15,000 words long, and we expect that the titles of most (but not all) of them will end with: and secular dharma.
These books are for a popular audience – so definitely not academic – and if at all possible will be without footnotes. We are also asking authors to include any references within the text.
And we’re even going so far as to suggest that an author minimises the use of Pali, Tibetan, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese words, instead rendering those concepts into English.
But, of course, all of these ‘rules’ can be broken.
As to whether the books are conversational, reflective and/or practical, this would hinge on the needs of the particular topic. Our intention is that someone could read these books from start to end in one go, if they feel like doing so, or perhaps over an evening.
Currently, we are in conversation with a number of people, exploring the possibility of publishing books on a wide range of topics, including:
- Recovery from addiction and secular dharma
- Exploring a secular dharma
- Feeling tones and secular dharma
- Creating a culture of awakening and secular dharma
- Focusing and secular dharma
- Relationships and secular dharma
- Ethics and secular dharma
- Mindfulness based ethical living and secular dharma
- Jazz and secular dharma
- Identity and secular dharma
- Narrative themes and secular dharma
- Happiness and secular dharma
- Translating the early texts: secular dharma teachers in conversation
- Making an idea your own and secular dharma
We will introduce the series by launching the first three books together early next year, raising much of the funds needed through a Kickstarter campaign.
Importantly, we would welcome your support for a particular book, a particular author, or a particular topic. This is where fiscal sponsorship of Tuwhiri from Secular Buddhist Network’s 501(c)(3) and Aotearoa Buddhist Education Trust is going to be so worthwhile.
And while we have a tentative list of other possible titles, we’re keen to know if you would like to write a book for this series, and what you’d want to write about. Please get in touch – send us an email.