365 Buddha: Daily Meditations

by Jeff Schmidt

Such is the powerful simplicity of Buddhist teachings that a one-or-two-line quotation from a seminal Buddhist text can resonate throughout our days and nights. The infinite wisdom of this religion has touched people from all walks of life from all over the world. For readers interested in discovering this rich tradition and cultivating a daily practice, 365 Buddha provides a single thought — a piece of wisdom to carry with one — for each day of the year. Filled with thought-provoking and inspiring quotations from the greatest Buddhist teachers throughout history, including Dogen, Suzuki, Thich Nhat Hanh, the Dalai Lama, and Milarepa, 365 Buddha is an invaluable resource and companion for living.

Genres: Buddhism, Philosophy, Spirituality

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[David Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I usually find these types of books a bit gimmicky, this one is truly an exception. Schmidt knows his texts and cites a range of classical and modern Buddhist Dharma is a short and easy to read manner. I try to read one each morning and find the ripple effects of the poetry manifest throughout the day and beyond.

Some of the days are harder than others with really rich and layered, intricate Eastern philosophy. But if one let's this wash over them for a few days the meaning begins to surface. It is almost an exercise in not analysing that brings out the truths.

Thank you to the author and publisher for such an accessible and powerful piece of spiritual literature.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was a little more difficullt to understand... Scholarly Buddhist teachings and Koans.

[Ben Pound · Rating 4 out of 5]

FOr the amount of paper used to make this book, each daily reading is a bit small. I wasn't expecting it to be more dense, but a smaller more compact book would've been nice. It's almost too big to carry with me when I travel.

Aside from the size, the insights and the meditations are good and not from the more "mainstream" sources of Buddhist wisdom. The author pulls from some very esoteric texts but nothing so confusing as to warrant a ton of cross-referencing just to understand that day's meditation.

[Michael]

Since the readings are from different traditions within Buddhism, the daily insights are inconsistent. However, it is a quick source for reflection.

[David Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice collection of daily readings, more obscure selections than other similar books, which I liked.

[HadiDee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can't really say I read this but I have been dipping into it for a few weeks. I found the selections inconsistent and while it's given me some things to thing on I couldn't recommend it.