Our Handmade Paper Lord Buddha Notepads are special. They are handmade for us by one of our fair trade producers working in the Kathmandu Valley, high up in the Himalaya.

The image of Lord Buddha is screen printed onto our handmade paper notepad using gold paint. The Buddha Image shows the right hand turning the wheel of Dharma, while that of the left hand symbolizes meditation. These two conjoined symbolize teaching the Dharma while in meditation.

We use traditional Nepali Lokta Paper in our books, Lokta Paper is a traditional Nepali craft going back thousands of years and is made from the Lokta or Daphne Bush, a wild shrub that grows wild in the Himalaya at altitudes of 5,000 - 13,000 ft where little else grows. It produces a fine textured paper that is valued for it's strength, durability and resistance to being eaten by insects.  Infact historically Royal Decrees and Religious Texts were wriiten on Lokta Paper and is said to last for over 1,000 years!

Lokta Paper making has historically been important economically as it has been one of the few industries in Nepal dominated by women who are traditionally underemployed.

Our Lokta Paper is made in the traditional way in Kathmandu by a small business run by three Nepali Women. It is unusual in traditional countrires like Nepal to find women running their own businesses, so we like to support them. Our handmade paper products are a bit different and make excellent gifts!

Lokta paper has a wonderful texture but is smooth enough to write or draw on.  Each notepad contains approx. 40 leaves of traditional handmade Lokta Paper. The colour of the Buddha image is either black and gold or red and gold.

Our Lord Buddha Notepad measures 15 cm by 11.5 cm ( 6" by 4.5").