In December 1968, Thomas Merton visited Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka. He describes his reactions to the Buddha statues there in The Asian Journal: "The great smiles. Huge and yet subtle. Filled with every possibility, questioning nothing, knowing everything, rejecting nothing. . . . I don't know when in my life I have ever had such a sense of beauty and spiritual validity running together in one aesthetic illumination."

This unique devotional tool contains a small polystone Buddha statue with the same look of serenity described by Merton. The box is designed like a shrine and can be placed anywhere. The accompanying book by Manuela Dunn Mascetti consists of chapters on the legend of the awakening Buddha; the way of the master; the psychology of the Buddha; the sutras; and prayers, mantras, and blessings. Alongside the text are over 30 beautiful illustrations of Japanese, Chinese, and Indian art that further reveal the ideals associated with Buddhism.