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Religion & Philosophy Research Guide: Buddhism

a collection of library and online resources to aid in the study of topics in world religion
Think big! Start by looking at your topic from a wide lens. Make a list of keywords as you read! Remember that research is challenging, and a process. You will get better over time!  
How do I know if my source is reputable? Do the legwork; can you find out more about the author? Are they considered an expert in the field? 
How do I avoid plagiarism? Cite as you research AND as you write. Find a useful source? Add it into Noodletools or your Works Cited page right away before you forget or risk losing the information.

Primary Sources and Core Texts

What are the core texts of the religion you are studying?

Reference (Tertiary) Sources: Background Reading

Resources that give you a broad overview of a topic, like encyclopedias and almanacs. As you delve into the reference sources, start a short list of keywords that embody your topic(s). Use these words as you begin to search for more complex material.

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Online Resources

Filter your search results to focus on articles written by religious scholars. Who are the experts in your topic? How do you know?

Databases are accessible off campus to students and staff. If you are off campus, click on the database links, enter your network username and password, and you will have access to all content for that entire browser session. 

Internet Resources

Look for websites that are published by credible religious, academic, or cultural institutions, such as theological seminaries, museums, and religious institutions. Some examples are below:

Books

What kind of books do I need? Look for works that are written by religious scholars and experts in your topic of interest. Check the INDEX of the book for instances of your keywords (your religious practice, rite of passage, sacred text, etc.)

Tips for keyword searching: start broad, and then narrow your search once you have a better sense of your topic. 

Broad Terms are keywords like:

  • Religion 
  • Morality
  • Spirituality
  • Ethics

To refine a search use any of the above AND another term like

  • Society
  • Women
  • Ritual
  • Politics  

You may also want to use some of the refining words when searching about a specific religion.  For example "Christianity AND Women".    Be careful about spelling! There are often many variant spellings for the same term (especially in Asian religions, such as Tao versus Dao). Thus, it can be helpful to try out multiple spellings if you are having trouble finding information. Still feeling stuck? Contact a librarian or use the libchat feature to ask for help. 

Featured Books

Most print books on Buddhism are in the call number range 294.3 (on the lower level of the library). This list is not exhaustive; search the library catalog for additional titles.