Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maggie Lee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Maggie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Buddha For You Gifts & Books began as a means to continue a tradition of providing peaceful gifts to the community. It was known as “Your Peaceful Place” and became an additional space for the community to grow. It was a place people wandered into for meditation, processing whatever was happening inside them. Over time, it became clear that the purpose wasn’t retail. It was the conversations that happened at the door, the people who stepped inside without knowing what they were looking for, and the sense that something in them was shifting.
A lot of folks arrive rather restless. They’re looking for grounding or direction but can’t quite put their finger on it. Our role is pretty simple: be present, listen, and help people recognize that the clarity they’re searching for isn’t external. The purpose is really just to hold a mirror, gently pointing them back to the tools they already carry.
What makes the space attractive is that its contents are its history, everything in the shop has a lineage, a story, or a previous life before arriving here. Each person arrives with their own lineage or a story before coming here. Dharma Bum Temple as well as Buddha for You was created as an entryway for those seeking to learn meditation and Buddhist practice. People come because they are searching, navigating challenges, difficulties, or moments of transition that lead them toward a deeper spiritual journey. Our intention is to provide a welcoming space where that journey can begin, offering guidance, grounding, and a place to explore meditation and Buddhist teachings with openness and care.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Buddha for You Gifts & Books sits right at the entrance of the Dharma Bum Temple, so people naturally come here first. They think they’re walking into a simple storefront, but once inside, it feels closer to a small museum, objects with history, lineage, and intention behind them. Every statue, mala, and book carries a story, and the arrangement is meant to invite curiosity rather than push sales.
We want people to slow down. In a world of one-click everything, there’s value in having to show up physically, look around, ask questions, and feel something before making a choice. That’s what makes the space special: the pacing is different. You can actually sense the shift in people as they move through it. There’s a kind of breath the store takes — an inhale when someone arrives, an exhale as they settle in, look around, and start to feel what the space is offering.
There’s also this unexplainable draw the shop has. People keep telling us they felt pulled in. They weren’t planning to visit, they just found themselves standing inside. And often, that moment becomes the start of a much bigger journey.
Part of our ongoing work is rethinking how the space functions. Instead of a “gift shop,” we’re leaning into a more intentional design, something closer to a museum of Buddhist history that happens to offer items for practice. We even ask ourselves questions like, “If someone is already here to buy something, how can the experience naturally draw them deeper into the Dharma?” It’s a fun challenge.
And interestingly, the shop community has become as large as the temple community. That says a lot about what people are looking for. We were gifted a Bodhi tree from Taiwan about twelve years ago. We planted it when we got the new space and it felt like placing a seed for the future. It took root and grew as the community did the same.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
We always come back to the Three Jewels, because they’ve guided everything we do:
1. Buddha — recognizing the potential in yourself and others.
Not in an abstract way, but more like remembering that everyone has the capacity to grow, settle, and see more clearly. That’s been the foundation of how we approach every person who walks in and every item we curate.
2. Dharma — letting the teachings shape how we move through the day.
The teachings influence small, everyday decisions: how we greet someone who’s nervous, how we answer a tough question, how we design the shelves, how we respond when someone is overwhelmed. The Dharma becomes the lens we work through.
3. Sangha — learning how to build and sustain community.
Nothing here is possible without people showing up for each other. Community is what makes the space alive. It takes patience, shared effort, and a willingness to support one another. Sangha has been the most practical teacher of all.
Ultimately, what matters most in our journey is ensuring that every person who comes here has the opportunity to find what they need. Through the Buddhist images and ritual pieces we offer, we aim to support each individual’s personal path, understanding that everyone arrives seeking something different. We take care to listen, to understand those intentions, and to do our best to guide them toward what resonates most deeply.
Each piece we carry is authentic and thoughtfully sourced from regions such as Bali, Nepal, Thailand, India, Taiwan, Japan, and other parts of Asia. These items are hand-selected with a deep respect for their cultural and spiritual significance, and with a clear understanding of the meaning behind them. Our intention is that these pieces serve not simply as objects, but as companions in one’s spiritual journey, offering support, reflection, and connection along the way.
As for advice, just continue to be patient. We explore the Six Paramitas practice which is generosity, morality, patience, diligence, concentration/meditation, and wisdom. If one applies these practices to their life on a daily basis, then anything can be faced and accomplished. When we took over Buddha for You 16 years ago, we had no retail experience. However we continued to practice with pure intention and today we are thriving. We built a beautiful community open and welcome to all who choose to show up. So just show up!
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes – both, in meaningful and intentional ways.
For collaborators, we love welcoming volunteers who enjoy being part of the daily life of the shop. This includes helping with in-store operations, supporting visitors, caring for the space, organizing merchandise, and keeping the shop flowing smoothly. Because the store is closely connected to Dharma Bum Temple, volunteers play an important role in creating a calm, friendly, and inviting environment for everyone who walks through the door.
When it comes to partners, we are very open to exploring ideas with local businesses who feel aligned with the spirit of Dharma Bum Temple and Buddha for You. Rather than being highly selective, we see partnerships as opportunities to learn from one another and discover ways to work together that feel mutually supportive. These may take the form of shared offerings, curated products/services, or community-based initiatives that benefit both the shop and our wider community.
Ways You Can Help:
* Volunteer in the shop to support day-to-day operations and help care for the space
* Share Buddha For You through word of mouth with friends, family, and the local community
* Connect with us if you are a local business interested in exploring partnership opportunities
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.buddha-for-you.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buddhasforyou
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buddhaforyougiftsandbooks/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BuddhasForYou
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/buddha-for-you-gifts-and-books-san-diego-2
- Other: https://www.thedharmabums.org
