Tibetan Buddhist Altars: A Pop-Up Gallery of Traditional Art and Wisdom

Wise, who brought us Tibetan prayer flags in a gift box with ""Blessings on the Wind,"" offers another treat for grownups who are interested in Tibetan Buddhist practice. This pop-up book features five colorful Tibetan altars, such as might be found in a home or monastery. Wise and Beer encourage readers to use the book as a devotional tool, finding a quiet space and spreading the book (which opens with two ""doors"" from the center of the cover, like a temple) to the appropriate pop-up for meditation. Each pop-up page includes a mantra to recite as well as a glorious three-dimensional image of Green Tara, Shakyamuni Buddha, Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, or the Medicine Buddha. All five embody different spiritual qualities and can be called upon in various times of need--Medicine Buddha in case of sickness, for example, or Green Tara to protect the devotee from fear. Some readers may also wish to incorporate use of a 108-bead rosary (not included).