Buddha in a Teacup: Contemporary Dharma Tales

Like little snippets of life, Walton's short gems capture the soul of a situation and tell the reader all he or she really needs to know about the characters and the situation. Each two to five page story in Buddha in a Tea Cup is a tiny world unto itself, and each presents characters during a small moment of epiphany. Like sitting in a park, quietly observing the lives that pass you by, reading this book allows one a peek into the human condition as played out in individual daily dramas, and to catch these ordinary people at a time when they look up for a moment, and realize something basic about their lives. With an economy of words, Todd Walton paints these little scenes, without preaching or driving home his point with a hammer. Like a Zen Buddhist meal, these stories leave you satisfied, but not gorged. Meade Fischer

The middle path - the path between total indulgence and total denial in order to find peace in life, one of the central themes of Buddhism. "Buddha in a Teacup: Tales of Enlightenment" is a compilation of over forty short stories each focusing on an aspect of the Buddhist dharma, the teachings emphasized by the Buddha. Stories humorous, erotic, mysterious, and sad alike all bound by common themes of mindfulness, love, patience, and other important themes to Buddhists. One doesn't have to be a Buddhist to enjoy "Buddha in a Teacup: Tales of Enlightenment", as it was written in a way to be appreciated by even secular readers. Highly recommended to short story collections and Buddhist studies shelves.

Have read all of Todd Walton's novels. All wonderful reads. BUDDHA IN A TEACUP, comprised of many short stories with a Buddist bent, is another great read from a talented writer! I am a reader who doesn't usually choose to read short stories but since it is a Walton book, I bought it and was delighted with each story. I'd love to read more about many of these characters. Some of the them I recognized from other of his reads which made it even more fun (to think I was 'in' the know somehow). In any case, this would make a great gift for anyone who loves to read....loves real character studies, even in a short story format. Bravo, Mr. Walton. And I would suggest to anyone who reads this that they get hold of (ie: buy) more of his books for many hours of fabulous entertainment!

I don't really like short stories for the most part. Most end when I've invested in the characters and want more than the story has delivered. These sketches move past quickly and, like traditional Buddhist stories, are deceptively simple. Then they end at an unexpected moment. The point often has slipped past me until I slow down, reflect on it for a while and use my own life experiences to find what is beneath the surface. The stories have a wonderful way of drawing me in as a partner in finding the meaning of life and love in the depth of simplicity.

This is a very cool little collection of stories, all of them with a Buddhist flavor. Each tale is simple, lovely, and thought-provoking. I would definitely recommend it.