• 1. BOOKS: Awakening the Buddha; Plain Mindfulness; Wherever You Go; Daily Dalai Lama; a Pocket Buddha.
• 2. TAPES: The Art of Thich Nhat Hahn; Beginner's Mind via Peter Coyote; Rumi's Timeless Tape Recordings.
• 3. OBJETS D'BUDDHIST: Inquiring T-shirts; Zen Blocks for Kids and Adults; Bargain Zafus & a few other things.
• 4. GIFTS of SERVICE & AID: Don't give them an object, but give the bee's knees to someone in their name.
• 5. NO COMMENT: Third Eye Enhancers and other items that show that in the name of the spirit, people try anything.

Okay, well maybe a comment or two. Just like dorjis there is a thriving catalog trade in Buddha images. Well, there has ALWAYS been a thriving trade in Buddha images as household decoration, hip icon and funky ornament---so that's nothing new. (And potentially illuminating, I suppose. A large green ceramic Buddha on my meditation altar downstairs is a leftover decoration from my wife's old roommate before marriage.)

But with such a surge of Buddhist teaching in the West, you'd hope copy writers and peddlers of Eastern wares would either: a) Be a little more conscientious about the tradition they're trading in; b) Be less unsavory in misrepresenting that tradition for the sake of a buck.

As for expensive, spiritual machines and goofy mind-enhancing gear, that has always been a thriving business. Here's the latest from the cutting edge of accelerated enlightenment ...

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Ad copy for Crystal Buddha:

"THE BUDDHA REMOVES ALL SUFFERING:

This rare form of the Buddha is called the "King of the Universe." In China, it is believed that this Buddha removes the pain and sorrow of both the living and the dead and can release one from the eternal suffering of darkness and transfer them into paradise. He is the gift of Eternal Life. Each Buddha has been carved from a rare piece of optical grade quartz crystal which is said to powerfully magnify one's desires... If you want the best, this is a rare opportunity. You won't find a Quartz Buddha of this quality anywhere..."

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Ad copy for BioResonators:

"Placed on either side of the head the BioResonator boxes can be set to different frequencies. Choose from meditative Theta tones to rejuvenating Delta frequencies. Our BioResonators are specially designed to produce "difference tone" frequencies, enabling you to reach a meditative state for health and well-being. One Resonator is always set at 256 cycles per second (cps). To create your preferred meditative brain state, the second resonator is adjusted to the setting of your choice..."

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Ad copy for Third Eye enhancer:

Ancient practice of the Yoga masters! Through meditation, the clear purple beam of this genuine, 3/4-inch long amethyst cabochon guides your thoughts to a higher plane! Worn over the "third eye" (between and just above the eyebrows), this handcrafted medallion and woven, pure-cotton headband quiets the mind to bring forth increased awareness and a glimpse into the realm of the spirit...