inspiring story

Cracked pot

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.

'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.' The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?'

'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.'

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

So, to all of my cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

Water pot carried by little novice
at Kopan monastery, Nepal

Cover story

Cover story on book design

I have done two cover designs for two books. One is a vegetarian cookbook published by Kopan Monastery in Nepal. The other a compilation of articles under the publication of Dharma Rain, by a writer who is a rice specialist in Northern Malaysia.

It feels good to be in touch with design again, after more than 15 years in advertising. My wish is to modernize the book cover for dharma books, making them look as attractive as other imported books on the shelf.

A beautiful look still matters to attract the sentient beings in our human realm.

The book cover title bears the calligraphy of
Zhi Cheng Fashi.

A cookbook with Kopan's favorite recipes.
Sketches from Nat Khadro who happens to be a vegan too.

Smiling quote 1

Guide your doors

" The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live. "
Flora Whittemore

A meticulously crafted wooden door, at the Unesco-listed
Chagu Narayan temple within the Kathmandu valley

Postcards shelf 2

Send a card with loving kindness

Another 5 designs from the postcard set.

The young monk against the yellow background was from Kopan monastery. His name is Lama Rigzin from Tsum valley. Many who bought this postcard were wondering where the venue was for this shoot.

Even the monks at Kopan were not exactly sure where it was.

Postcards shelf

Send a card with compassion

10 postcards, each with a beautiful dharma quote, are out late last year and already on the shelf at bookstores of Kopan monastery in Nepal, and Namgyal monastery in Dharamsala.

Over 600 cards were sold in the month of November when they first hit the stand at Kopan monastery.

They are also available at major bookstores on Thamel road in Kathmandu, and at House of Treasure in Dwarika's hotel.

Each card can stand on its own when folded, making it an ideal prop on the table.