What's in a Name?

So often people ask me ‘is she for sale?’ referring to the statue of Dolma that travels with me to every fair and festival I vend. Dolma is the Tibetan word for Tara, the female Buddha. ‘No’ I tell them, ‘she is not for sale’. She stands as a reminder of how my business came to be and more importantly as a symbol of compassion. She is my inspiration.

When I was in India in 2006 I wanted to find a way to give money to Tong-Len, the school I had been teaching at in Dharamsala. One day, as if a light turned on, the idea sprung forth: bring beautiful Indian jewelry and shawls home to sell and send the profits back to the school.

While the wheels were set in motion, I put planning aside for 10 days so I could immerse myself in the annual March teachings given by the Dalai Lama. I woke up as the sun rose each morning and walked the short distance between my room and the temple. I sat with a group of dear friends I had made - Joan, Susanne, Nicho, Joseph & Justin. We went early so we could be as close as possible to the Dalai Lama.

Our dear friend and mentor Laskshel, a Buddhist monk sat in the upper level of the temple with all of the other monks. Lakshel had been studying in Southern India at the Drepung monastery for 20+ years. Even with his limited English and my limited Tibetan we formed a deep connection. He was kindhearted and wise beyond words.

When the teachings came to a close, I put all of my energy into my new endeavor. I wondered what I should call the project. I asked Lakshel to name and bless it. When he decided upon a name, we gathered together and sat and listened to what he said. He told me to name it Dolma. He told me that Dolma was among the most compassionate people to have ever lived and that she should be the inspiration for my work. He said ‘she is like the wave in the ocean that brings the drowning people to shore.’

In the same evening, my friends presented me with the statue as a reminder of how Dolma Designs came to be. It stands as a symbol of how my endeavor was born. It is my constant inspiration for Dolma Designs, reminding me of my mission: to help alleviate poverty through fair trade and education.

In 2007, Lakshel completed his monastic education and was ordained a ‘geshe’ (teacher). When I saw him in February 2009, it was as if I was seeing a long lost friend and teacher. I am humbled to know him. Together with that amazing circle of people, we breathed life in Dolma Designs. I am forever grateful to them.