The Dalai Lama has said, "Whether listening to or reading teachings, we are like a vase meant to collect wisdom." Here is an ideal gift to give someone embarking on the Buddhist path. This portable kit consists of 366 color cards of the Buddha's teachings (mostly from the Dhammapada), a full color mandala poster, and a convertible box that can be used to create a tabletop "altar" for practice or meditation. There is also an illustrated booklet by David Crosweller, a spiritual seeker who lives in Bath, England, that presents basic information on the Buddha's life and teachings, the spread of this 2,500-year-old-tradition, and Buddhism in the modern world.
The cards in this deck, one for each day of the year, can be used to yield insight and understanding of life from the Buddha's perspective. Here are three sample cards: 1) "Courtesy is precious. Beauty without courtesy is like a garden without flowers." 2) "If you find a good companion who is following the same spiritual path, travel together, overcoming obstacles as they arise." 3) "First look after yourself and your practice, and then, when you are sure what to do, concentrate fully on that."