Along with health, holy, and whole, in the tree of language the word hale shares a common root. It’s universal. Hello. Greetings.
Case in point: In 1910, a man named Joyce Hall bet that the postcard craze of 1903 would be outclassed by greeting cards. A century later, his company, Hallmark Cards, is worth ±$3 billion.
I’m not aware of any Buddhist products in the vast Hallmark list. But you don’t have to be Buddhist to send a Buddhist greeting … nor use paper! Here are some sites offering customized tidings from along the Way. (¿Did I mention?: They’re all free!)
This, from Buddhist Channel, is one of several inspirational cards, suitable for numerous occasions — not necessarily “Buddhist.” Not only do you have the option of musical accompaniment, but you can be notified when the card is picked up.
Then there are sites with a more denominational background, but equally universal. DailyZen, for example, has a line of cards online or in paper (and now posters) from a range of themes : animals, flowers, words of wisdom, vistas, sages, etc. The options for customizing a card are quite rich — and the site also features various other free encouragements for pilgrims along the Path (free meditation timers, zen quotes and study texts, gifts, lore … and more).
Buddhist Publishing Group is a Theravada sangha, based in England, with e-cards, books, talks, .mp3s, videos, etc., as well as e-cards..
And a number of online e-card services have special Buddhist areas. Care2, for example, has an array of card themes — greetings, holidays, love, pets, wildlife, friendship, games, kids, sports, art, world and religion (Christian, Jewish, Mulsim, Pagan, Hindu, and Buddhist). They feature a range of international artists often working in digital media, such as animation.
SpiritCards has a slew of nontraditional mandalas, as well as animated Buddhas and sacred geometry, fractals and flowers, planets and peace, etc — and you can add on one of six e-postage stamps. such as the Dzogchen symbol … or one reminding the recipient: “Breathe” … … (… good idea ! … let’s take a few conscious breaths together … before moving on … ) ….
See you further upon the trail … or send us an e-card … but don’t forget to enjoy the flowers along the Way …
.:.