Eleven engaging Zen-inspired stories and fifty activities to help kids (ages 4–8) learn about patience, kindness, honesty, sharing and forgiveness.Dive into 11 engaging stories drawn from different cultures, each concluding with short reflections, questions, and fun, thought-provoking activities that teach children how to integrate the theme of the story into their lives. There are 53 activities, including:Writing haikuSitting zazenObserving, making, and appreciating foodGrowing plantsSpreading kindness and performing secret good deedsLearning and writing about family historyand more!
2023 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards Winner A wise and colorful collection of ten Buddhist fables, this modern telling of ancient Indian stories, centering around animals and nature, teaches vibrant and timeless life lessons. (Ages 4-8) Long ago, the Buddha told his followers Jataka Tales, or “birth stories,” about the many lifetimes he lived before he was born as Prince Siddhartha. In this beautiful retelling of ten such stories, the Buddha is introduced as the Queen of the Dogs, a loyal Parrot, a mischievous Monkey, a wise Lion, a brave Forest Owlet, and more. Each story conveys important morals that are short, sweet, and to the point, giving children a handful of useful lessons to apply to their lives, like “Always try to do the right thing, even when no one else is watching.” These tales are brought to life with stunning and dreamlike illustrations by Sonali Zohra (illustrator of Ashoka the Fierce), exploring in vivid detail how one’s actions affect others; the importance of kindness; the strength of friendship; the value of thoughtful decisions; and the importance of letting go and learning to forgive. With a beautiful paper-over-board package to tie it all together, this book will serve as a timeless and treasured offering for both children and adults.
"An accessible, compassionate guide to Buddhist principles and practices that can help support recovery from addictions and addictive behaviors-written by an experienced Zen lay teacher with thirty-five years of sobriety. For anyone struggling with addiction, Buddhism offers powerful, grounding wisdom and tools to help support recovery. In The Zen Way of Recovery, Laura Burges shares her experience as a dedicated Zen practitioner who came to terms with her own addiction to alcohol, and found support for her recovery. Through the lens of Buddhist teachings, Burges offers tools and practices, which, together with help of recovery programs, can offer a road to sobriety. Burges is an experienced and compassionate guide-and her message is resonant for people with any type of addictive behavior-and for people who aren't necessarily familiar with Buddhism. Her teachings are drawn from the Buddha's life and teachings (specifically the Eight Awarenesses of the Awakened Being and the Six Paramitas), and the wisdom of Japanese Buddhist priest Dogen Zenji, the founder of the Soto school of Zen, among others. Burges emphasizes the importance of being in an active recovery program, and the teachings and practices she offers in each chapter--including reflections, journaling prompts, meditations, instructions for setting up and altar and zazen--are both a perfect adjunct and powerful reinforcement"-- Provided by publisher
