Tales for the Journey

This competes my story of Devadatta. We’re left with something more complex than a villain. We find a monk whose gifts were overshadowed by his craving to surpass even the Buddha, and whose misguided confidence became his downfall.

Find the Glossary at bit.ly/BuddhistFiction

Devadatta, Part 1

Devadatta, the Buddha’s cousin, will be remembered as the great villain of early Buddhism. But was he really a villain trying to replace the Buddha out of jealousy, or was there something deeper behind his desire for reform?

Find the Glossary at bit.ly/BuddhistFiction

The Flower Sermon is uniquely Zen Buddhist, but its essence—transmission beyond words—resonates across nearly all major traditions, often reinterpreted in their own idioms. The Monk Who Ate the Dharma was inspired by a statement attributed to the Tibetan Buddhist master Milarepa.Born in the eleventh century, he is one of Tibet's most famous spiritual poets.

Find the Glossary at bit.ly/BuddhistFiction

Buddha's awareness extended far beyond the human realm. He perceived the heavenly and underworld planes, discovering that he could communicate with countless non-human beings that not only existed but many had become followers of his path. Even the goddess Lakshmi, radiant embodiment of love, fortune, and spiritual prosperity, came before him and expressed her wish to join his great work of liberation.

Find the Glossary at bit.ly/BuddhistFiction

This week's episode is called Right Livelihood. Right Livelihood is one of the elements of Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path. It generally means living and earning a living in a way that is ethically responsible and avoids causing harm to oneself or others. But that description has always been subject to interpretation.

Find the Glossary at bit.ly/BuddhistFiction

One of Buddha's contemporaries was Makkhali Gosala, also known as Maskarin, and was the founder of the Ajivikas' sect. Gosala's central teaching was that absolutely everything is predetermined by fate and hence human action has no consequence one way or the other. According to the Ajivikas, each soul's course was like a ball of thread unravelling. When he encounters one of Gosala's followers he decides to provide some lessons.

Find the Glossary at bit.ly/BuddhistFiction

Today's story addresses the concept of merit. In Buddhism, merit is the positive force or spiritual wealth accumulated through virtuous actions like generosity, ethical conduct, and meditation. These actions are considered meritorious because they lead to favorable outcomes. Merit, and it's virtues, was often misunderstood especially amongst Brahmins who were conditioned to pay their priests to provide it.

Find the Glossary at bit.ly/BuddhistFiction

There are references in the sutras of “Perfumed Chambers” where Buddha would sit or rest. At first I thought it odd that Buddha would accept accomodations that seemed like pampering, so I had to look into this.

Find the Glossary at bit.ly/BuddhistFiction

On the night of the Komudi full moon, Brahmin families gather on the temple grounds. The air is thick with incense and expectation — a night for renewal, when vows were rehearsed and the white lotus was said to open under moonlight. But on this Komudī night, a young man named Uddalaka would glimpse something that neither ritual nor doctrine had prepared him for — a meeting that would change how he understood purity, desire, and the truth of his own path.

Find the Glossary at bit.ly/BuddhistFiction

With this story, I try to fill in one of the significant missing pieces of Siddhartha’s journey. He was seeking teachers who promised release from the wheel of birth and death. After two unsatisfying experiences with other teachers he decides to try the Sramana path. This was a group of wanderers who renounced all bodily ties, and followed a path of fierce simplicity.

Find the Glossary at bit.ly/BuddhistFiction

There are two short stories in this Episode: Auntie Flora the Healer and What Does Compassion Look Like? In story one I explore the health of the Buddha and the role of a healer called Auntie Flora. In the second story, a young monk wants to learn how to identify compassion. Is the pre-eminent goal of Mayahana Buddhism something that can be seen or is it something else? 

Find the Glossary at bit.ly/BuddhistFiction

This week's episode is called The Umdze. Umdze is the Tibetan term for the Chant Master in Buddhist Monasteries. I have invented this story to make up for not being able to find out when prayer wheels were first used in Tibet or who invented them. Consequently the period for this story is somewhat vague but the first hand-held prayer wheels were most likely created between the 7th and 9th centuries. But in the end, this is a story about compassion.

Find the Glossary at bit.ly/BuddhistFiction

Archira's mind becomes clouded with doubt. A young man determined to become a monk is rudely sidetracked when his dream is threatened by unresolved doubts. Some sage advice is provided by a caring grandfather.

Find the Glossary at bit.ly/BuddhistFiction

Echoes and Commentaries is a companion to the stories — a place to pause, look deeper, and trace the ideas that echo through them. Here I share context, history, and personal insights that may help the stories connect more closely with your own experience. Each of these reflections is just one way of hearing the story’s echo. I hope they resonate with you — or raise new questions. 

Find the Glossary at bit.ly/BuddhistFiction

The story of Angulimala is one of the best-known narratives in the Buddhist tradition. Here, I've tried to reframe it with compassion. Buddhist fiction is rare, but stories have always carried wisdom across generations. Tales for the Journey is my way of giving voice to that tradition—short fictional tales inspired by Buddhist thought and practice.

Find the Glossary at bit.ly/BuddhistFiction

In this episode of Tales for the Journey, I share the story called the "Little Buddhas" inspired by Buddha’s many followers and drawn from my imagination. It asks the question "Can four men from widely different backgrounds work together in harmony?" May this tale spark reflection and accompany you on your own path. New stories arrive each week — be sure to follow the podcast and join me on the journey.

Find the Glossary at bit.ly/BuddhistFiction

In this episode of Tales for the Journey, I share a story called The Precious Scroll of the Parrot. Drawn from Chinese Buddhism, it is a a tale of a being whose  love for his mother attracts the attention of Guan Yin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Like all stories in this series, it isn’t a sermon but an invitation — drawn from Buddhist tradition and reimagined for reflection. May this tale spark curiosity and accompany you on your own path. A new story arrives each week — be sure to follow the podcast and join me on the journey.

Glossa...

In this episode of Tales for the Journey, I share the story of King Bimbisara’s Chariot; a tale of hands-on learning. The King, an enthusiastic follower of Buddha returns to get help to understand a fundamental lesson. Like all stories in this series, it isn’t a sermon but an invitation — drawn from Buddhist tradition and reimagined for reflection. May this tale spark curiosity and accompany you on your own path. A new story arrives each week — be sure to follow the podcast and join me on the journey.

Glossary at bit.ly/BuddhistFiction

Today marks the beginning of Tales for the Journey. This Podcast shares short original tales inspired by Buddhist thought and practice—simple, surprising, and reflective. In this episode, I introduce myself and some context for the stories. Buddhist fiction is rare, but stories have always carried wisdom across generations. Tales for the Journey is my way of giving voice to that tradition. New stories arrive each week — be sure to follow the podcast and join me on the journey.