Red Lotus Trading Company

Transcription

1 d C a t a l o g d S p r i n g Uniquely N e p a l Meditation Art Style Life

2 About Us: Namaste! For those friends who do not know us in person here s a bit of background. was born out of trips we made to Nepal in 2002 and We were really inspired by the people, culture, mountains and the beautiful crafts. A desire to bring the best Nepali handicrafts to our friends in the US brought us into this business; our hope is to inspire you & reveal some of the mystery of the Himalayas. Determined not to join the Corporate Ladder, we decided to set up an import business on a Fair Trade basis. The rest, as they say, is history! We live & travel in Nepal to ensure our goods are handmade and fairly traded. Please contact us for wholesale pricing & ordering. A portion of our proceeds goes directly to Girls Education Nepal, please read more about this inspiring organization below. About Girls Education Nepal: Our best to you, Brian & Kim Girls Education Nepal (GEN) was established in May The program sponsors girls from underprivileged families to attend school near their homes. Our mission is simple to enable girls to have a better future through education. Sponsorship is aimed at the most desperate cases children who otherwise would have little chance of going to school. All girls are welcomed regardless of age, religion, location, previous education or background. The GEN sponsorship covers education-related expenses only. All fees are paid directly to the schools and the girls remain living with their families. Although there is no requirement for academic excellence we expect the girls to study as hard as they can and attend school regularly. Our sponsorship is for one year at a time, and will be renewed provided that the girl gets reasonable results, attends school regularly and most importantly shows enthusiasm and willingness to learn. GEN is a small charity, operating without middlemen and heavy admin costs. We personally know all the girls in the program and follow their progress closely. GEN operates on voluntary basis meaning that 100% of your donation goes towards the education of these girls. FMI Visit: T o O r d e r V i s i t : R e d L o t u s T r a d i n g. c o m

3 d T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s Singing Bowls Tingshas About Prayer Wheels Copper Mani Prayer Wheels Bell & Dorje Set Felted Elephant Mobile Purses Prayer Flags Wooden Elephant Ornaments Wooden Prayer Wheels Thangkas Paper Products Statues Incense Order Form 11 Page 3d

4 T o O r d e r V i s i t : R e d L o t u s T r a d i n g. c o m S i n g i n g B o w l s Tibetan singing bowls are made of an alloy that consists of seven different metals. When pressure is applied to their outer rim in a circular motion they begin to hum. The tone of each bowl varies depending on size and shape. The tone can be further adjusted by adding water to the bowl. Our Singing Bowls are purchased in Patan, where the most experienced metallurgists in the Kathmandu valley reside. Buddhists use the singing bowls in meditation & for music. Each of our singing bowls includes a wooden mallet that is used to apply pressure to the bowl to make it hum, and a cushion or matt to place it on for display. Large Singing Bowl 5.75 x 3 Price: $49.50 Order #: RL 20 Medium Singing Bowl 5 x 2.5 Price: $34.50 Order #: RL 21 Small Singing Bowl 4.5 x 2 Price: $22.00 Order #: RL 22 T i n g s h a s These metal chimes are each covered in symbols with significance in Tibetan Buddhism. Often used in Buddhist ceremonies the tingshas are used during prayer & meditation. Their unique sound is used to clear the room of distractions so that those present can focus their mind. The distinctive tingsha sound is also used in relaxation and meditation CDs. The Tibetan term 'ting' refers to the ringing sound of metal, to the cadence of a musical note and 'sha' means hanging or suspended. When the two pieces strike each other they produce a clear, pure, cleansing sound. Small Tingsha 1.75 bells with 12 cord Price: $9.95 ~ Order #: RL 26 Page 4 d Large Tingsha 2.5 bells with 11 cord Price: $14.50 ~ Order #: RL 27

5 d P r a y e r W h e e l s Prayer wheels are the physical manifestation of the phrase Turning the wheel of Dharma, the Dharma being the teaching of the Buddha. Each wheel is inscribed with the phrase Om Mani Padme Hum a Buddhist mantra that reminds the practitioner that they can transform their impure mind, speech and body to the pure mind, speech and body of a Buddha. Turning the wheels clockwise the mantra spins around, and tantric practitioners believe it is the same as repeating the phrase orally. This increases good karma as well as increasing wisdom & calming the mind when the user thinks on the meaning of the mantra while spinning the wheel. Copper Mani Wheel ~Large 12.5 x 3.25 Price: $28.00 Order #: RL 18 Copper Mani Wheel ~Small 8.5 x 2 Price: $17.00 Order #: RL 19 C o p p e r M a n i W h e e l These hand held mani wheels are covered in various Buddhist symbols, but all contain the phrase Om Mani Padme Hum on them. Inside the wheel are several texts with the phrase as well, the belief being that every time the wheel is turned, all of the texts contained are recited and released to the heavens. Each of these wheals can be turned easily with the aid of a small counter weight on the end of a chain, so it takes only a slight motion of the wrist. These can be used to aid or enhance personal meditation practices. Each wheel comes with a wooden stand as pictured. B e l l & D o r j e S e t The Bell and Dorje are the main ritual objects used in Tibetan Buddhism. They are normally used together, with one in each hand (bell in the left, dorje in the right). It is believed that their use together can help lead to enlightenment. The sound of a "singing" bell can also be used as a focal point in meditation. Bell & Dorje Set 5 x 2.5 Price: $21.00 Order #: RL 23 Page 5 d

6 d F e l t e d E l e p h a n t M o b i l e This whimsical string of multi colored glass beads is adorned with 5 felt elephants. Each elephant is hand decorated. Elephant Mobile Price: $7.50 Order #: RL 12 R e c y c l e d J u t e & C o t t o n H a n d b a g Planet Friendly, these handmade bags are created by recycling old rice bags into fashionable accessories. Our bags come in different sizes & styles and are great for everything from shopping at your local Farmer s Market to a day at the beach. Recycle Handbag 9 x 11 Price: $12.50 Order #: RL 8 S m a l l S i l k C o i n P u r s e s Recycled sari patchwork purse. Each one is different, patched together by vibrant silk saris. Handmade in Nepal. Small Silk Purse 4.5 x 4 Price: $2.00 Order #: RL 17 Page 6 d L a d y B u g C o i n P u r s e s Cute felted purses made of 100% sheep's wool using the time honored technique of repeated pounding & agitation for a completely seamless felted handbag. Lady Bug Purse 5.5 x 4.5 Price: $2.50 Order #: RL 7

7 T o O r d e r V i s i t : R e d L o t u s T r a d i n g. c o m H a n d C a r v e d W o o d e n P r a y e r W h e e l s These stationary prayer wheels are hand carved in Nepal. The mantra Om Mani Padme Hum is carved into each wheel. These wheels are ideally sized to sit on desks or tables & can be spun by anyone passing by who hopes to bring peace into their mind and the minds of those in the house. Triple Prayer Wheel 10.5 x 5 Price: $34.95 ~ Order #: RL 3 Double Prayer Wheel 7.25 x 5 Price: $22.50 ~ Order #: RL 4 P r a y e r F l a g s Unique to Tibetan Buddhism, prayer flags are believed to spread goodwill & compassion to where the wind blows the inscribed mantras. Each set contains flags of five different colors, each color representing a different element; yellow for earth, green for water, red for fire, white for wind, & blue for sky. Each flag depicts a Ta, or wind horse, with three jewels that represent the Buddha, the Dharma (His teachings) and Sangha (the Buddhist community). The flags have mantras printed on them that are to be carried on the wind. It is best to hang prayer flags on a windy and sunny morning with thoughts of compassion and peace in your mind & heart. Medium Set of Prayer Flags 9 Price: $5.50 ~ Order #: RL 5 Small Set of Prayer Flags (5 rolls) 6.5 Price: $12.50 ~ Order #: RL 6 W o o d e n O r n a m e n t a l E l e p h a n t s Beautiful hand carved elephants with hand painted details. Elephants hold a special place in Nepal and Hindu culture. The Hindu God Ganesh is depicted with an elephant s head. Trumpeting Elephant 5 x 5 Price: $17.95 ~ Order #: RL 1 Tusked Elephant 4 x 4 Price: $12.50 ~ Order #: RL 2 H a n g i n g B r a s s B e l l s This is a charming 2 1/2 inch high brass bell hanging on a 7 inch chain. Hanging from the striker of this bell is a 2 inch leaf. In Nepal and India, one always finds a bell at the entrance to a temple or holy place. When a devotee rings the bell on entering, they are letting the deity of that place know that they have arrived to ask for blessings. Hang your bell at the entrance to a space which is sacred to you, or anywhere in your home. Medium Brass Bell 7 x 2.5 Price: $19.50 Order #: RL 25 Small Brass Bell 5 x 1.75 Price: $14.00 Order #: RL 24 Page 7 d

8 T h a n k a s Thankas are a form of religious inspired paintings that originated in Nepal & spread to Tibet. They are done on cotton with water soluble pigments, both organic and mineral, then tempered with herb and glue solutions. Each Thanka often depicts important aspect of Buddhism and they were often used as early teaching tools. Each of our Thankas are signed by the trained artist who produced them. Each Thanka is an original, and although some depict similar themes, all are unique. Please contact us for pricing. By Katseng Lama Prices vary widely according to size and detail. If you are looking for a particular type of Thangka please contact us & we will commission a piece of art specifically for your needs at one of the local monasteries. Page 8d By Sovit Lama By G. Lama T o O r d e r V i s i t : R e d L o t u s T r a d i n g. c o m

9 By Sovit Lama T h a n k a, B u d d h a s S t o r y : Various illustrations of different life stages of Gautam Buddha & his teachings and enlightenment. By M. J. T h a n k a, M a n d a l a : Mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of aspirants and adepts, as a spiritual teaching tool, for establishing a sacred space, and as an aid to meditation & trance induction. T h a n k a, W h e e l o f L i f e : Also called the Wheel of Becoming or Bhavacakra is a symbolic representation of samsara, an important concept in Buddhism that often translates as suffering or dissatisfaction. The Wheel of Life shows us how the cycle of birth life & death can only be escaped through enlightenment. T h a n k a, O t h e r : Other Thankas depict important figures in Buddhism, medical depictions, or the nature of the universe. The example we have chosen is a depiction of Green Tara, known as the female Buddha of enlightened activity. By C. Lama Page 9d

10 T o O r d e r V i s i t : R e d L o t u s T r a d i n g. c o m H a n d m a d e P a p e r Handmade paper in Nepal is made from the bark of the lokta, or daphne plant. After the bark is stripped from the plant it is boiled, and then beaten with wooden mallets. Once beaten the pulp is laid over a frame and left to dry. Dies are added to give the paper its vibrant color. The resulting paper is able to fold without creasing. The paper products we select come from the city of Bhaktapur, a historic old city just seven miles to the East of Kathmandu. Small Notebook 4.5 x 6 Price: $5.00 ~ Order #: RL 9 Large Notebook 6 x 8 Price: $8.50 ~ Order #: RL 10 Envelope & Stationary Set 10 sheets & envelopes Price: $5.00 ~ Order #: RL 11 B u d d h a S t a t u e s Buddha statues are loved around the world because they bring us peace, joy, and wisdom. Buddha figures are most often used in a living room, study, or garden. Our selection of Buddhist art goes beyond Buddhist statues to include pieces depicting such as Vajrasattva & Tara. The Vajrasattva Buddha symbolizes purification & represents the purity of awareness or ultimate reality. G r e e n T a r a S t a t u e s Tara's name means One Who Saves. She holds a very prominent position in Tibet and Nepal. Tara is believed to protect the human beings while they are crossing the ocean of existence. Her compassion for living beings, her desire to save them from suffering, is said to be stronger than a mother's love for her children. She can be portrayed seated with her feet in the posture of meditation, standing or in a half dancing pose. Green Tara 5 x 3 Price: $7.50 Order #: RL 14 Buddha in Meditation 6 x 3.5 Price: $12.00 Order #: RL 13a Vajrasattva 6 x 4 Price: $12.00 Order #: RL 13

11 d O r d e r F o r m Item # Description Qty. Price Subtotal Order total: Donation to Girls Education Nepal: Shipping: Total: Name Address Phone Method of Payment Check Bill Me Credit Card A Credit Card B Credit Card C Credit Card # Exp. date Signature Page 11 d

12 d Migs Eaton 58 Pleasant St Westbrook, Maine (207) C a t a l o g d S p r i n g T o : PLEASE PLACE STAMP HERE N e p a l i I n c e n s e Our incense sticks are handmade in Nepal by Mandala Art & Incense. Each container is wrapped in handmade paper, contains 30 sticks of incense, each 4.5 inches long, and an incense holder. This pure incense (with no stick in the center) is hand rolled. The sticks have less smell until burned. When lit, the fragrance is more pure with less smoke. All of the ingredients are from Nepal, are all natural, and safe for the environment. Incense, Tibetan Sandalwood: Sandalwood is said to have a calming effect that is useful in meditation. Sandalwood is popular in religious ceremonies due to its soothing properties of releasing nervous tension & anxiety. Incense, Tibetan Nagchampa: Champa is the fragrance of Laxami, Goddess of wealth. Traditionally it s been used to relieve several ailments including pain & headache. Incense, Tibetan Cedarwood: Cedarwood is one of the oldest aromatics used in incense of the temples and monasteries of Tibet. Its value to meditation comes from its reputation to steering straying individuals back to The Path. Incense, Kamasutra: This emotionally uplifting fragrance is believed to enhance the sensual mood of lovers. Its aroma is said to enhance the body s innate sense of sexuality. Sandalwood Incense Price: $5.00 ~ Order #: RL 28 Nagchampa Incense Price: $5.00 ~ Order #: RL 29 Cedarwood Incense Price: $5.00 ~ Order #: RL 30 Kamasutra Incense Price: $5.00 ~ Order #: RL 31