The Buddha, Geoff and Me: A Modern Story

by Edward Canfor-Dumas

Ed is having a hard time - at work, in his love life and, well, generally. Then he meets an unlikely Buddhist - who drinks and smokes and talks his kind of language. Bit by bit, things begin to change...Ed doesn't always take Geoff's advice. Or, when he does he lapses at the crucial moment. His path to understanding is not a straight one, especially as life keeps throwing more and more 'stuff' at him. Often he fails - like most of us, in fact. But sometimes he manages to get it right. And when he does, surprising things begin to happen ...In The Buddha, Geoff and Me Edward Canfor-Dumas brings all his skills to bear in an absorbing story of everyday city life, where the characters stand out with all their human strengths and weaknesses, and the ending brings Ed - and perhaps all of us? - a hope we didn't necessarily expect. The Buddha, Geoff and Me - for anyone who's ever begun to wonder what the whole damn thing is all about .

Genres: Buddhism, Fiction, Religion, Spirituality, Philosophy, Novels, Personal Development

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Janina Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is based on the author's friendship with and introduction to Buddhism by my father. It was interesting to read the factionalized perspective of someone unrelated to him.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

My wife enjoyed this, although she felt the first half was very slow to get moving. To me it was written a bit like a bad TV sitcom with lots of dialogue that seemed to go nowhere in particular, or if it went somewhere it went there at snail's pace. All in all it was a thinly veiled lecture on the benefits of Sōka Gakka Buddhism. The author seems to have forgotten the first rule of novel writing - "show me, don't tell me".

[Mitch S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended to me by a friend, I recommend to anyone that has a passing interest in Buddhism. The story is about a troubled man who meets a selfless fellow, Geoff. Geoff turns his life around, and become eds anchor. The casual approach to Buddhism makes this book readable to anyone. The first half I was reluctant to keep reading, but when the protagonist starts coming around to the teachings, you start coming around to the story.

[Amber Shott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read which manages to cover pretty much everything about life, death and perspective. I will remember Geoff for a long time. 🌞

[Sal Coraccio · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Buddha, Geoff and Me is, as one might expect, a lightly disguised Buddhist primer of sorts. The story the teachings ride on is compelling enough, likely based on real events (the author's) and generates sympathy for the main character, Ed. It isn't high art, but it is touching and there's enough educational content and a satisfying arc to make it worth your while.

What it did for me personally is introduce me to another perspective on Buddhism - a more approachable side; less... pretentious(?). Part of that is my own ignorance, of course, based mostly on what I've absorbed through popular culture.

Inspirational, surely. As a next step, I'd like to see the other angles on Buddhism - it seems there are many. Mission accomplished, Edward.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a therapist, I just really want to applaud this book. I think all therapists should read it, for a gentle Buddhist understanding. It has influenced my practice in the most curious ways. My clients have found deeper insights, we’ve had sparkler conversations... I’m not sure what’s happened... but it feels positive.

As a personal reader, I really warmed to Geoff and at one point found myself sitting in Ed’s shoes after a minor revelation gets the audience to question how they feel. I won’t spoil it, but my goodness... so many positive lightbulb moments from this here. As a side note, I can’t believe how little people have read this book. I shall be raving about it for a long time to come yet, I believe. Also, I want to meet the gardener! Haha what a great character / person!

[Edward JP Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it! Who knows, it may change your life!

[Elena Khartchenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful!

[Lupurk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Il classico libro giusto al momento giusto. Ricevuto in prestito da un'amica, l'ho lasciato da parte per mesi, perché presa da altre letture o perché poco attirata. Poi, qualche giorno fa, ho deciso di prenderlo in mano e di dargli una possibilità. Appena ho letto le prime righe della quarta di copertina ho capito che il libro stava parlando proprio con me, che in qualche modo mi aveva chiamato...e l'ho divorato, assaporandone ogni frase e ogni attimo, senza riuscire a staccarmene. Non so se in un altro momento il mio giudizio sarebbe stato lo stesso, ma forse c'è un motivo che mi ha spinto verso di lui proprio quando ne avevo più bisogno, quindi rendo merito al karma e farò tesoro di quello che ho appreso.

[Jane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not about Buddhism or the Buddha per se, but about a very particular kind of Buddhism: the Soka Gakkai Nichiren practice. Though the author coyly refuses to name the tradition or explain what exactly is meant in the novel by "chanting," chanting is in fact the primary practice in this specific group. Though irritated by this disingenuous glossing over, I found the main character much more irritating, and almost ridiculously obtuse, insensitive and childish. I understand that like all similar characters in similar books (those by Carlos Castenda and Dan Millman, e.g.) he needs to be an ignorant foil in order for others to teach him and explain things to him, but really this guy is insufferable.

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading this book not knowing what I was getting in to .The more I read the more I thought this must be a mission to spread the word about the kind of Buddhism that Geoff is practicing .So it is a book of missionarism.The whole story is there to make this Buddhist practice understandable ,and that part is Ok . It started well as a story ,but got to parts that were quite tedious . Felt like hiding spinach in a cake for a kid that does not like it ,but then at times the spinach was on a plate shoved down the throat . Maybe it's Karma that made me read this book .

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readable, but I didn’t like the voice. I’ll give the author the benefit of the doubt and say he was going for realism? I’m interested to know how much was ‘Ed’ and how much was the author. I suppose I’d have to read more books by him though, and I probably wont. I thought the buddhism parts were kind of interesting, but the chanting was kind of weird? I wonder if we were supposed to think buddhism is a useful tool for navigating everyday challenges, but chanting is a magic spell? I don’t know. I thought the book was kind of frivolous anyway.

[Sabina Biasuzzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anche senza essere buddisti certi insegnamenti di questo piccolo grande libro fanno molto riflettere. Mi ha lasciato una bellissima sensazione, di pace, di serenità. Lo consiglio, specie in momenti di down.

[Ymfoo1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting 'novel' about life. About strengths, weaknesses and believes.. about ego-less, about compassion, about Buddhism.

[Christiane]

Just loved this book! It gives you a true view of Buddism in a daily life. I did not agree with all their thoughts but nevertheless I was able to pick up some easy hints for a daily life practise!

[Sheila Heard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book so many times. A relevant guide to tackling what life throws at you, using a story of believable people. It's become a kind of comforter that I keep by my bed!

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Relatable, lighthearted, and yet with a profound undercurrent of timeless wisdom throughout. To me, this book is not only about Buddhist philosophy, but also more broadly about living life itself. Loss, grief, happiness, love, anger, resentment, anxiety, hope - Ed's rollercoaster of ups and downs, and the way his character candidly comes through the page makes him so relatable, with all of his imperfections and bare humanity.

'Problems are just facts. It's our attitude to them that makes us suffer - or not. And that depends on our state of life... If we feel bigger than the problem, we cope. If we feel smaller than it, we suffer. A lot of the time problems just show us our weakness and that's what we can't handle. So we get unhappy... We call using problems in a positive way "turning poison into medicine." To me, it just makes sense, because if shit happens anyway, the quicker you can turn it into compost the better.' -Geoff

I will remember Ed, and Geoff, and all the Buddhist philosophies they discussed, for a very long time.


---

My notes and favourite bits:
Key ideas from the book (as a reference):
- wisdom, courage, and compassion - and the Wizard of Oz!
- ichinen sanzen
- honzon
- kyo chi gyo i (goal, wisdom, action, status)
- life states and the Ten Worlds - Hell, Hunger, Animality, Anger, Humanity (Tranquility), Heaven (Rapture), Learning, Realisation, Bodhisattva, Buddhahood.
- nam myoho renge kyo

Quote from Daisaku Ikeda that I particularly enjoyed:
"You must never slacken in your efforts to build new lives for yourselves. Creativeness means pushing open the heavy door to life. This is not an easy struggle. Indeed, it may be the hardest task in the world. For opening the door to your own life is more difficult than opening the doors to the mysteries of the universe. But the act of opening your door vindicates your existence as a human being and makes life worth living. No one is lonelier or unhappier than the person who does not know the pure joy of creating a life for himself. To be human is not merely to stand erect and manifest reason and intellect: to be human in the full sense of the word is to lead a creative life."

Great reference to Frankl too:
"The meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour. What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person's life at a given moment." - Victor Frankl

[Debbie Lilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made you think about life in general and the way Buddhist actually look at life as a whole.
Ed is having a hard time - at work, in his love life and, well, generally. Then he meets an unlikely Buddhist - who drinks and smokes and talks about his kind of language. Bit by bit, things begin to change...
Ed doesn't always take Geoff's advice. Or, when he does he lapses at the crucial moment. His path to understanding is not a straight one, especially as life keeps throwing more and more 'stuff' at him. Often he fails - like most of us, in fact. But sometimes he manages to get it right. And when he does, surprising things begin to happen ...
In The Buddha, Geoff and Me Edward Canfor-Dumas brings all his skills to bear in an absorbing story of everyday city life, where the characters stand out with all their human strengths and weaknesses, and the ending brings Ed - and perhaps all of us? - a hope we didn't necessarily expect.

[Jordan Florit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted this book just last week and felt compelled to read it immediately.

It grew on me with each page and despite it feeling a bit like a young adult’s novel or teen fiction, its simplicity was purposeful.

The book flits between the main character’s inner monologue and his dialogues with three or so supporting characters, mainly Geoff, the teacher in this student-teacher format introduction to Buddhism.

The story itself is strong and captivating, which allows the author to impart on the reader what he really wants to: that is, a practical and daily, workable practice of Buddhism and its benefits.

It’s so simply and well-written that even if you have no interest or knowledge in Buddhism, you can still enjoy the story – and you probably will have some interest in it by the end. I now want to read the follow-up novel published 9 years later. I also am now thoroughly intrigued to know more about Buddhism.

[booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Buddha, Geoff and Me by Edward Canfor-Dumas is a novel that explores Buddhist spirituality through a modern and relatable story. The protagonist, Ed, is an ordinary man struggling with life's challenges when he meets Geoff, a mysterious figure who introduces him to Nichiren Buddhism. Through their conversations and daily experiences, Ed learns how practicing Nam Myoho Renge Kyo and embracing Buddhist principles can transform his approach to life’s difficulties.

The book is written in a simple and engaging style, making it perfect for those looking to understand Buddhism in a practical and accessible way. With a mix of humor and depth, it offers insightful reflections on how spirituality can positively impact everyday life.

[Nixi Nicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been reading this book for years, read chapters over and over, and finally today I finished it for the first time. The reason that this took me so long to read, I believe, is because there is a lesson to be learned every other page, it seems. I have several practicing Buddhists in my family, so I was familiar with the concept going in, but the way the lessons and sort of “intro to Buddhism” readings are intertwined in this story is quite amazing. I came to know each character, and familiarize myself with the journey the main character goes on. I am a little heartbroken that I’ve finished this but will certainly be back.

[Jill Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book in a charity shop when I was visiting England back in ‘05 or ‘06. I liked it and talked about it and lent it out to friends. (Do we ever get those books back??)
Twice more when visiting the UK I bought this book and lent them out. I really wanted to pass it along!!
Finally I was able to replace it by ordering it from Amazon.

I was talking about it last week - even though it’s been about 15 years since I read it - and I promised to lend it.

So of course I just did a reread. You never know, right? It didn’t lose any power for me. It’s such a nice little, readable, introduction to Buddhism. I never became a Buddhist, but you never know…

[N J Turpin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must-Read!

Quite possibly one of the best books I've ever read. It's my first dabble in Buddhism and from the start, the reader is propelled through a fun, interesting, extremely honest and often funny (irreverently so!) journey of a "normal" guy's life and it's gradually growing exposure to Buddhism.

Honest. Transparent. Vulnerable and, at the same time, so informative and full to the brim with nuggets of wisdom and insight. Might even have convinced me to dabble a little further, which I wasn't expecting!

Going back for a second read - with my notepad!! Enjoy it... 🙏

[Charlene Lan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am pleasantly surprised by this book. As a Buddhist practitioner, it was refreshing to read about the application of my practice in a different way. The protagonist expresses cynical thoughts and faces quite familiar life decisions that I can definitely connect to. I laughed out loud and smiled a few times reading the protagonist’s thoughts as he faces challenges. The writing is clever and witty. I would say the last quarter of the book is an absolute page turner that brings it altogether so quarantine some time for that.

[Tania Rook · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read this because 'Geoff' is the dad of a friend of mine. The author, 'Me', uses a fictionalised version of Geoff to take us on a fairly tortuous journey of how he got over his ex-girlfriend and found a new one, teetering on the edge of being financially viable the whole time. It grossly underestimates Geoff in favour of a badly made cup of tea in a failing employment office. f

Also, Buddhism. Because seriously, how much time can you spend on tea from a plastic kettle?

[Flavio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un bel libro autobiografico che sembra un’avventura nella Londra fuori dalla ‘city’ ma in realtà ti conduce lungo profondi pensieri e riflessioni sull’io e sul senso della vita, sull’esistenza di un altro modo di vivere, nella consapevolezza delle proprie azioni e delle relazioni con gli altri. Si può essere buddisti anche senza praticare la religione.

[Sarah Keig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recommended this book by a friend otherwise I’m not sure if I would have read it - but I’m so glad that I did. It is very easy to read and I devoured it in just over a day. It is very thought provoking and I know I will be thinking about it long after finishing the book.

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful read. As a Buddhist I think this kind of writing is important to see Buddhism from a western lense and from a perspective of those who are skeptical and how much the "every day" individual even one in middle age can gain from a Buddhist mentality.

[Chan Podmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, lovely book. I like reading religious books but sometimes they can be a bit of a hefty read- this was the complete opposite. Emotional, relatable and eye opening. Would recommend this to anyone that wants to look at life a little differently- Buddhist or not.

[Tania Rook · Rating 2 out of 5]

Geoff was a way more interesting person than Me gives him credit for. The story is a bit too self-referential for my taste, though as a primer for Buddhism for someone who's never come up against it before - pretty good.