The forty-two short tales that comprise Buddha In A Teacup are set in contemporary America, as opposed to long ago China or India. Each parable springs from the author's meditations on fundamental aspects of Buddhist dharma as those teaching apply to the world today. Some of the tales are humorous, some sad, some erotic, some mysterious--all linked and balanced by themes of mindfulness, compassion, generosity, kindness and love. The reader need not be a Buddhist or know anything about Buddhism to fully appreciate and enjoy these universal tales of the human condition.

Buddha in a Teacup: Contemporary Dharma Tales, Todd Walton, Soft Skull Press, Paperback, 192 pp, $15.95

Todd Walton is the author of the novels Inside Moves, Forgotten Impulses, Louie & Women, Night Train and Under the Table Books. His non-fiction work includes Open Body: Creating Your Own Yoga and The Writer's Path, a book of Todd's original writing exercises. In addition to his writing, he is a professional musician and pruner of fruit trees. His wife is the cellist Marcia Sloane. Their collaborative CDs are When Light Is Your Garden and So Not Jazz. Todd has also produced five CDs of solo piano music, notably Mystery Inventions and Incongroovity. He lives in Mendocino, California and writes a weekly column for the Anderson Valley Advertiser and is currently at work on an epic seven-volume fictive work called Ida's Place.

CONTENTS: Buddha in a Teacup
Author's Note	11
The Beggar	17
Expectations	23
Mama	19
Retreat	27
Meat	30
One Fortunate Attachment	35
Ten Thousand Things	40
Wishing	45
Change	51
Beginning Practice	54
Generosity	57
Idiot Compassion	59
The Edge	64
Forgiveness	67
Death	70
The Dharma of Experience	73
Karma	76
Aggression	82
Celibacy	87
Ignorance	89
Crisis	92
Integrity	98
A Life of Buddha	102
The Freedom of Restraint	108
Community	111
God	117
Craving	123
Loving-kindness	125
Happiness	129
Humility	131
Fear	135
Skillful Speech	140
Right Livelihood	143
Statues	148
Getting Well	151
Bowing	156
Greed	160
Heaven and Hell	164
Killing Buddha	170
Love	174
Already Broken	178
Dying	180