user-1: Someone suggested that one good way to use this site can be to study books together, and post any questions from those books that we may have. The idea is that the text should be one that will stimulate our question-asking faculties, which we then apply by asking questions about the book of the month on Buddhism.SE. Everyone is free to participate.
Last month, the book selected for reading was Good Question Good Answer.
I'm opening this thread to get suggestions of buddhism books for reading during this month. One book per answer, please; top voted answer by June 15th can be our book to be studied this month.
There's really no restrictions for book suggestions, other than being available in english. However, books that are freely available are likely to be favored.

user18: Here's one that looks terribly interesting to me and happens to be freely available online (legally or illegally, I can't say):
The Boundaries of Knowledge in Buddhism, Christianity, and Science
This volume brings together insights from religion (represented by Buddhism and Christianity) and science to address the question, What can we know about reality? Here science and religion engage each other in the human endeavour to understand a reality tantalizingly beyond our ability to understand fully.

user-1: Good, Evil and Beyond Kamma in the Buddha's Teaching by Bhikkhu P.A. Payutto
No. pages: 129
From the first pages:

Universally acknowledged as Thailand’s foremost Buddhist scholar,
  Venerable P. A. Payutto’s works range widely, from detailed exposition of the Suttas and Vinaya to consideration of the problems of society, environment, economy, law, and science and technology – all of these books and talks are based on an exceptionally profound and comprehensive grasp of the Buddha’s Teaching, which is given full expression in his ‘magnum opus’, Buddhadhamma, a book of over one thousand pages.

From Introduction:

The work presented here is based on a single chapter from
  Buddhadhamma, by Venerable P. A. Payutto. Buddhadhamma is
  perhaps the author’s most formal and ambitious book to date

However, I quickly read a few pages and it seems to be very accessible. Also from Introduction:

It is my belief that the present book is an invaluable reference
  for both the casual student and the more committed practicer 
  of Buddhism. 

There's also a chapter about misunderstandings of kamma in a Q&A style.
Contents:

Understanding the Law of Kamma

Kamma as a law of nature  
The law of kamma and social preference  
The meaning of kamma

a: Kamma as intention  
b: Kamma as conditioning factor  
c: Kamma as personal responsibility  
d: Kamma as social activity or career  

Kinds of kamma  

On Good and Evil 

The problem of good and evil 
The meaning of kusala and akusala 
Kusala and akusala as catalysts for each other
Gauging good and bad kamma 
Primary Factors 
Secondary Factors 

The Fruition of Kamma 

Results of kamma on different levels
Factors which affect the fruition of kamma
Understanding the process of fruition
Fruits of kamma on a long term basis –
Heaven and Hell 
Summary: verifying future lives 
Kamma fruition in the Cula Kammavibhanga Sutta

Kamma on the Social Level 

The importance of ditthi in the creation of kamma
External influences and internal reflection
Personal responsibility and social kamma
Responsible social action

The Kamma that Ends Kamma 
Misunderstandings of the Law of Kamma

Who causes happiness and suffering?  
Beliefs that are contrary to the law of kamma  
Can kamma be erased?  
Do kamma and not-self contradict each other?  

In Conclusion

The general meaning  
Intelligence over superstition  
Action rather than prayer  
Non-adherence to race or class  
Self reliance  
A caution for the future  



user143: Any interest this month in "Women in Buddhism - Question & Answers" by Chatsumarn Kabilsingh Ph.D.? (Theravada tradition)

Ven. Chatsumarn Kabilsingh provides answers to questions often asked about women and the ordination issue and related topics. She responds to such questions as: In the Buddha's time what role did women play in Buddhism? Why cannot women become buddhas? What is the Buddhist attitude towards prostitution? What is an attitude of a Buddhist towards abortion? What is the unique characteristic in American Buddhism which might interest a feminist?

At 70 pages, it would be short and potentially interesting reading. :) 

-1: <p>Someone suggested that one good way to use this site can be to study books together, and post any questions from those books that we may have. The idea is that the text should be one that will stimulate our question-asking faculties, which we then apply by asking questions about the book of the month on Buddhism.SE. Everyone is free to participate.</p>

<p><a href="https://buddhism.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/1557/the-book-of-the-month-is-good-question-good-answer">Last month</a>, the book selected for reading was <a href="http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/gqga-5ed.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Good Question Good Answer</a>.</p>

<p>I'm opening this thread to get suggestions of buddhism books for reading during this month. One book per answer, please; top voted answer by June 15th can be our book to be studied this month.</p>

<p>There's really no restrictions for book suggestions, other than being available in english. However, books that are freely available are likely to be favored.</p>
 18: <p>Here's one that looks terribly interesting to me and happens to be freely available online (legally or illegally, I can't say):</p>

<p><a href="http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/The%20Boundaries%20of%20Knowledge%20in%20Buddhism,%20Christianity%20and%20Science_Numrich.pdf" rel="nofollow">The Boundaries of Knowledge in Buddhism, Christianity, and Science</a></p>

<p><em>This volume brings together insights from religion (represented by Buddhism and Christianity) and science to address the question, What can we know about reality? Here science and religion engage each other in the human endeavour to understand a reality tantalizingly beyond our ability to understand fully.</em></p>
 -1: <p><a href="http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/good_evil_beyond.pdf" rel="nofollow">Good, Evil and Beyond Kamma in the Buddha's Teaching</a> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayudh_Payutto" rel="nofollow">Bhikkhu P.A. Payutto</a></p>

<p>No. pages: 129</p>

<p>From the first pages:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Universally acknowledged as Thailand’s foremost Buddhist scholar,
  Venerable P. A. Payutto’s works range widely, from detailed exposition of the Suttas and Vinaya to consideration of the problems of society, environment, economy, law, and science and technology – all of these books and talks are based on an exceptionally profound and comprehensive grasp of the Buddha’s Teaching, which is given full expression in his ‘magnum opus’, Buddhadhamma, a book of over one thousand pages.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>From Introduction:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>The work presented here is based on a single chapter from
  Buddhadhamma, by Venerable P. A. Payutto. Buddhadhamma is
  perhaps the author’s most formal and ambitious book to date</p>
</blockquote>

<p>However, I quickly read a few pages and it seems to be very accessible. Also from Introduction:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>It is my belief that the present book is an invaluable reference
  for both the casual student and the more committed practicer 
  of Buddhism. </p>
</blockquote>

<p>There's also a chapter about misunderstandings of kamma in a Q&amp;A style.</p>

<p>Contents:</p>

<ol>
<li>Understanding the Law of Kamma<br>
<ul>
<li>Kamma as a law of nature  </li>
<li>The law of kamma and social preference  </li>
<li>The meaning of kamma<br>
<ul>
<li>a: Kamma as intention  </li>
<li>b: Kamma as conditioning factor  </li>
<li>c: Kamma as personal responsibility  </li>
<li>d: Kamma as social activity or career  </li>
</ul></li>
<li>Kinds of kamma  </li>
</ul></li>
<li>On Good and Evil 
<ul>
<li>The problem of good and evil </li>
<li>The meaning of kusala and akusala </li>
<li>Kusala and akusala as catalysts for each other</li>
<li>Gauging good and bad kamma </li>
<li>Primary Factors </li>
<li>Secondary Factors </li>
</ul></li>
<li>The Fruition of Kamma 
<ul>
<li>Results of kamma on different levels</li>
<li>Factors which affect the fruition of kamma</li>
<li>Understanding the process of fruition</li>
<li>Fruits of kamma on a long term basis –</li>
<li>Heaven and Hell </li>
<li>Summary: verifying future lives </li>
<li>Kamma fruition in the Cula Kammavibhanga Sutta</li>
</ul></li>
<li>Kamma on the Social Level 
<ul>
<li>The importance of ditthi in the creation of kamma</li>
<li>External influences and internal reflection</li>
<li>Personal responsibility and social kamma</li>
<li>Responsible social action</li>
</ul></li>
<li>The Kamma that Ends Kamma </li>
<li>Misunderstandings of the Law of Kamma<br>
<ul>
<li>Who causes happiness and suffering?  </li>
<li>Beliefs that are contrary to the law of kamma  </li>
<li>Can kamma be erased?  </li>
<li>Do kamma and not-self contradict each other?  </li>
</ul></li>
<li>In Conclusion<br>
<ul>
<li>The general meaning  </li>
<li>Intelligence over superstition  </li>
<li>Action rather than prayer  </li>
<li>Non-adherence to race or class  </li>
<li>Self reliance  </li>
<li>A caution for the future  </li>
</ul></li>
</ol>
 143: <p>Any interest this month in <a href="http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/qanda-women.pdf" rel="nofollow">"Women in Buddhism - Question &amp; Answers"</a> by Chatsumarn Kabilsingh Ph.D.? (Theravada tradition)</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Ven. Chatsumarn Kabilsingh provides answers to questions often asked about women and the ordination issue and related topics. She responds to such questions as: In the Buddha's time what role did women play in Buddhism? Why cannot women become buddhas? What is the Buddhist attitude towards prostitution? What is an attitude of a Buddhist towards abortion? What is the unique characteristic in American Buddhism which might interest a feminist?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>At 70 pages, it would be short and potentially interesting reading. :) </p>
