Gift Ideas for a Buddhist

The last several decades have been marked by a huge increase in the number of Teachers and students of Buddha Dharma in the west (the proverbial "transplant" of the Dharma from its motherlands of India, Tibet & China to Europe and North America). Which increases the likelihood (if you are a westerner) of their being one or more Buddhist practitioners on your gift list. There are of course many distinct lineages of Buddhist practice: the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism (Nyingma, Kagyu, Geluk, Sakya) as well as the Tibetan Bon tradition; the Chan traditions of China; Zen from Japan; as well as various Theravadin "forest" lineages; to name just a few. So best, when shopping for your Buddhist friends, to have an idea of which tradition(s) they are participating in ~ though many of the gift ideas on the following list will be of interest to practitioners within any lineage.

1."The Dalai Lama's Secret Temple: Tantric Wall Paintings from Tibet" by Baker & Laird. This beautiful coffee-table gift book is a bit pricey (lists at $65) but is totally worth it! The book, as its title implies, is structured around photographs and explanation of paintings found in the island temple used by the Dalia Lamas for their most advanced meditation practices. What is portrayed in these paintings are various Buddhist Yogas (e.g. the Six Yogas Of Naropa) ~ bodymind practices engaged in by Vajrayana practitioners. Along with explanatory text by Ian Baker, the book features quotes from the various Dalai Lamas. A jewel of inspiration for Tibetan practitioners in particular!

2. A beautiful mala. For anyone whose practice includes the recitation of mantras, a mala is a great gift idea. Malas come in all shapes and sizes. (The standard type contains 108 beads.) For "simple elegance" you can go for a mala whose beads are made of sandalwood (this is also a good choice for prostration practice, since sandalwood beads won't break when they hit the floor); more elaborate (and expensive) varieties can be found with beads made of just about every type of crystal and gemstone.

3. Zafu & Zabutan. A Zafu is a (usually) round meditation cushion; a Zabutan the square padding upon which it sits. A new Zafu & Zabutan is a great gift for meditators of all stripes. Particular lineages are quite specific about the color of these ~ something you'll want to research before making your purchase.

4. Kapala, bell/dorje, damaru, offering bowls. These are ritual items specific to Tibetan Vajrayana practice: a damaru is a small double-sided drum; the bell and dorje symbolize the wisdom of emptiness (feminine principle) in union with compassion (the masculine principle); offering bowls are used to hold the seven "outer offerings;" the kapala (skull bowl) is used for holding Wisdom Nectar. Great gifts for the Tantrika!

5. Ikebana supplies. One of the most celebrated of the Dharma Arts is Ikebana: contemplative flower arranging. For Zen & Chan practitioners in particular (as well as those in the Shambhala lineage), this is a wonderful supplement to sitting meditation practice. (It can also be one's primary practice!) If your friends are into Ikebana (or have been wanting to explore it), great gifts for them include Ikebana vases, kenzan ("frogs" ~ the small metal containers used to anchor the flower stems), and clippers. You might also consider giving them the gift of a class or workshop with a well-known Ikebana teacher …

6. A retreat or other program with their Teacher. For those who have a "root guru" ~ a Teacher with whom they've developed a special relationship ~ there's nothing more precious than time spent with this teacher. These connections can be in the form of dharma talks, retreats or trainings with this person; or in the form of listening to audio recordings, watching videos or reading the books/articles written by or about this person. So if your friend has a principle teacher, consider a gift which will deepen this connection for them.

7."The Sun My Heart" or "The Miracle Of Mindfulness" by Thich Nhat Hanh. These two books are fantastic gifts for students of Thich Nhat Hanh, as well as for any beginning Buddhist practitioner (or those simply curious about Buddha Dharma). Thich Nhat Hanh has a wonderful way of relaying the deepest of Buddhist understandings in a language that is clear and simple. The poetry of his writing is in and of itself a pleasure, and the truths that it relays tend to strike a resonant chord with Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.

8. A book by Wei Wu Wei. For the more philosophically-oriented of your Buddhist friends, I can think of no more intriguing a gift than one of the amazing books of Wei Wu Wei. (Some of my personal favorites are: "The Tenth Man"; "All Else Is Bondage"; "Open Secret"; & "Ask The Awakened.") These books, in short, give us the wisdom of the ancient Chan (and Advaita Vedanta) Masters, rendered in the language of western philosophy. This is reading that, for most, will require some effort … but well worth it!

9. Now & Zen wake-up clock. Here's an elegant, practical and pleasant addition to any Zen household: Instead of being assaulted each morning by the buzzing or ringing of an "alarm clock," let yourself be nudged gently from sleep to waking by the resonant sound of bell-like chimes, beginning at a volume just above silence … Sound nice? It is! These clocks come in a variety of styles and price ranges. There's sure to be one perfect for your friend.

10. "The 100 Verses Of Advise: Tibetan Buddhist Teachings On What Matters Most" by Dilgo Khyentse & Padampa Sangye. This is another one of those books that, in my humble opinion, should find its way into every household. And certainly a beautiful addition to the library of any Buddhist practitioner. The title pretty much says it all: 100 short verses by the Tibetan Master Padampa Sangye, with commentary by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, one of the greatest of modern Tibetan Masters.