iPhone App Review: Wisdom of the Buddha

Having an iPhone is just about the coolest thing ever. No matter your age, profession, or interest, there are apps (i.e. applications, like computer software) that you will be interested in. One of the main reasons to have an iPhone is that, anytime you have to wait for anything (in a doctor's office, meeting someone for lunch in a restaurant, or sitting in your parked car to pick up your child from school), you have access to thousands of apps. The app for review in this article is the Wisdom of the Buddha produced by Michel Boezerooij.

Making Your Life More Peaceful and Serene with Wisdom of the Buddha

It's no secret that most of us will experience stress in our lives at various times. We've heard of many ways to manage it, but have you ever considered Buddha wisdom? This app's premise is simple: provide a multitude of Buddhist quotations and ideas for people who can access such "wisdom" on a daily basis, and their lives will improve. Wisdom of the Buddha includes quotes by the Buddha, Lao Tzu, Deepak Chopra, Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Sivananda, Dogen Zenji and others. Also included are Tibetan proverbs. To follow are some quotations and their authors found in the Wisdom of the Buddha app:

"To hold, you must first open your hand. Let go." Lao Tzu.

"He who is too busy doing good finds no time to be good." Rabindranath Tagore

"Thieves never steal bells." Tibetan proverb.

Cost of the Wisdom of the Buddha App

At $0.99, this app is a steal, no offense to the Buddha. This reviewer found herself thinking for a half-day about one of the quotations she read. Because the true wisdom of the Buddha is all-encompassing, most anyone is likely to encounter quotations that apply to their lives. The cost, therefore, balances with the seconds or minutes required to get your daily dose of the Buddha's wisdom.

ITunes Reviews of the Wisdom of the Buddha

Because Wisdom of Buddha was recently updated to a newer version, iTunes currently shows no reviews for it (see iTunes website).

Wisdom of the Buddha's Uniqueness

The app presents a tranquil-looking screen bordered on the left by a picture of a Buddha's face with graduated tones of blues and greens spreading across it. It is lovely to look at. Each quotation is found on this serene background. To read the next quotation, all you have to do is tap the iPhone screen, and it will appear. Simple yet complex, just like the Buddha.

Even so, this reviewer felt "thirsty" for more information about the Buddha after she was exposed to this app. A helpful addition would be to provide stories from the Buddha and the Buddha's history, as well as the other authors whose quotes are included in the app.

Summary of the Wisdom of the Buddha App

It is difficult to criticize the Wisdom of the Buddha app, even though all it does is provide quotations on a serene-looking screen. No information or history is provided on the Buddha or any of the other authors of the quotations (Tzu, Chopra, Tagore, and others) which would add to the educational value and depth of the information offered. If you are looking for such an app, the Wisdom of the Buddha may not be for you. However, regardless of your spiritual inclinations, exposure to some of the most humble teachings of the Eastern world may truly lead you down the path toward enlightenment.

Rating:

Three out of 5 stars.