Zen Tales
Listen. Reflect. Be present.
Timeless Buddhist stories, narrated for you. When a story resonates, ask the AI for deeper reflection. No accounts. No complexity. Just wisdom, when you need it.
How It Started
About 10 years ago I had the chance to be exposed to real Buddhist teachings—from a Geshe monk who had been practicing Tibetan Buddhism for more than 20 years. It was a serendipitous encounter at a co-working space I used to manage in Bucharest. That experience planted a seed that stayed with me through years of location-independent living across Spain, Portugal, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam.
One of the things I wanted to do for a long time was to shorten the path between my tech endeavors and the practice. I've been a coder for more than 35 years. What if, instead of separating practice from work, I could bring them together?
That's how Zen Tales was born. The app I wish I'd had 10 years ago—now available for everyone.
50 Hand-Picked Stories
A curated collection of Buddhist tales adapted from various public domain sources. From koans to Buddha life stories, each packed as a short intermezzo—one to four minutes—that can be interwoven into the fabric of your day at any moment. Each story is complete in itself, yet opens doors to deeper understanding.
Listen, Don't Scroll
Every story comes with natural text-to-speech. Close your eyes, put on headphones, and let the words wash over you. Reading is optional. Presence is the point. Perfect for your morning routine, a mindful break at work, or winding down before sleep.
Reflect With AI
After each story, you can start a series of reflections with the help of a specially crafted AI model. Finished listening to "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" Tap on pre-made reflections like "Have you ever understood something by giving up rather than figuring it out?" The AI gently offers more insights based on the story and general Buddhist principles.
Each of the 50 stories has 3 pre-made reflections. After you explore all three, you get your own chat window to ask free-form questions.
Practice Dana
No advertising, everything is clean. For those who truly benefit from the practice, there's a "Practice Dana" section in Settings where you can express gratitude with small tips—like lighting a candle or ringing the temple bell. In-app purchases are available for more chat credits, like going to a retreat for more wisdom.
Simple by Design
Just stories, silence, and space to think. Whether you're a practicing Buddhist or simply seeking wisdom in this ever-changing Samsara.
Download Free on App StoreFree to start. No account required.