Customer Reviews

365 Buddha: Daily Meditations

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Only after reading this anthology of daily meditations over the course of a year did I discover that the editor also lives here in Boulder. Although there are many similar collections of daily Buddhist contemplations available (the most notable being BUDDHA'S BOOK OF DAILY MEDITATIONS published by Shambhala), Jeff Schmidt's compilation is noteworthy for its selection of short, daily selections from trusted teachers including Dogen, Shunryu Suzuki, Thich Nhat Hanh, Milarepa, Chah, and The Buddha himself, among others, that will stick with you and resonate throughout the day. This collection will become a trusted daily companion, introducing its reader to a new teacher or two along the way.

G. Merritt

I'm not sure what Publisher's Weekly problem is in calling Schmidt's book "...virtually indistinguishable from its peers". I suppose if I reviewed books for a living, the fact that EVERYTHING is derivative at some level would become an apparent reality.

However, judged on it's own merits, 365 is a nice contribution to the world of Buddhism. Speaking for those of us who are just average folks, not Buddhist scholars, Schmidt's careful selections are an accessible stimulant of thought.

Don't let the "365" concept scare you: it does not appear Schmidt has dumbed down the book to fit the "thought a day" calendar paradigm. The selections are thought-provoking, neither overly simplified, nor so obtuse only an academic could love them.

One of the best parts of the book is the extensive clearly written glossary. It provides a great reference, which is most helpful for us mere mortals in interpreting some of the knottier quotes.

365 would be a very nice addition to any library, from serious Buddhists to casually curious people who just like to think.

This elegant book reminds me of what it is like to savor one piece of delicious, mindfully blended chocolate every day instead of mindlessly inhaling almost tasteless food instead.

I am reminded that Buddha is said to have given one lesson by simply standing in front of his students holding a sunflower.

This it is with this daily meditation book.

The readings are carefully selected morsels whose taste will remain in your mind and heart throughout the day.

This book is entirely too large for what is printed in it. I was expecting a pocket sized meditation book I could easily take in a small briefcase or computer bag. It is about twice the size it needs to be because most of the daily readings are one or two sentences. The longer ones don't even come close to filling a page so with the shorter ones, there is a good 3 inches of blank paper underneath the reading. I suppose one could write notes under the readings, but the paper is flimsy enough that the pen would leave an indentation readable on the other side of the page.

As far as content, the author pulls from many unusual and non-mainstream Buddhist texts so I enjoy that very much. It is thought provoking without being inaccessibly esoteric or pretentious.

While many of the quotations are insightful and memorable, there seems to be no rhyme nor reason to the book's organization. As a result, I could myself inspired on one page but confused on the next.