Mission Statement We at the Illuminarium have been in business since 1988. We work with artisans, collectors and closely within the communities the artifacts originate. We are Buddhist and do not support the occupation of Tibet either in concept or business practice. Most of the funds collected from artifact sales are returned to the Tibetans concerned and/or their originating communities. Further a portion of our sales are donated to Tibetan organizations which assist individual refugees and/or promote peaceful liberation of Tibet. Our Pledge The management of the "Illuminarium" and www.sacredsoundgongbath.com pledges to provide culturally significant items from around the world at the best possible prices. This is not accomplished at the expense of the artisans but rather in co-operation with them. We further assure that everything here is of a positive nature, no-matter how unusual or strange it may appear. It is our intention to further understanding between cultures, contribute to world understanding, co-operation and peace. We are proud to join the ranks of other small and large companies who conduct "for-profit" business in a socially responsible manner. Ancient Tibetan Artifacts All the items offered have been collected directly from the indigenous Tibetan people either within their country or from refugees. Every effort is made to conduct business in a honorable fashion; where all parties win within each transaction. Meet Richard Rudis (Sonam Dorje) founder of the Illuminarium Richard Rudis, (Karma Sonam Dorje), Sacred Sound Healing pioneer, author, student of Vajrayana Buddhism, founder of Sacred Sound Workshops and the Illuminarium Convergence. (see below) Rudis’s interest in Eastern vibrational medicine, philosophy and Buddhism began with an epiphany while flying over war torn Vietnam in the early 1970’s. The mountains below had been devastated days before by ‘Napalm’ saturation bombing leaving only red dust and a few burned out trees for as far as the eye could see. “Traveling fast and low for nearly an hour we crested a mountain top to reveal a perfect cycle of green with planting of trees and flowers. Visually it was akin to discovering a well groomed park with fountains, pond and shade trees on a tiny portion of moonscape. This island of sanctuary, surrounded by the ravages of war, housed a small Buddhist temple complex seemingly untouched and unaware of the chaos at it’s doors. I was struck by the visual ambiguity, by a sense of peace, of sanity and spiritual place. At the time I was not aware that this image would ultimately guide me through the years of confusion that followed.” Lost and somewhat dazed Rudis wandered through life reaching for answers until in the 1980’s he embarked on what has been a life long study of Buddhist understanding. Having a background in engineering he was naturally drawn to the ancient sound devices that are deeply embedded in Eastern medicine and ceremony. He is a self proclaimed pilgrim having traveled throughout Asia for over thirty years as a researcher of vibrational healing techniques and as a student of Tibetan Dharma. An American practitioner of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism he was granted refuge in the Buddha from His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa while in Tibet in 1996. His Holiness named him Karma Sonam Dorje; (Meritorious Thunderbolt of the Kagyu school). In 1988 Rudis founded the Illuminarium Convergence - a modest store front for the examination of metaphysical phenomenon. He began teaching Buddhist Dharma and vibrational healing (w/Tibetan instruments) shortly after. Considered most knowledgeable in the field of sacred sound healing, sound instruments from the Himalayas and associated vibrational healing techniques he is often a featured presenter at international conferences. An associate of the Tibetan Sound Healing School of California, (http://www.tibetanbowlschool.com), he teaches advanced classes in sound therapy outlined within Buddhist teachings. Touring the western United States Rudis presents a sacred sound concert under the trade marked term ‘Gong Bath’; each experience is unique and rooted in Dharmatic teachings. Using a gong tuned to the ‘Aum’ frequency and patterning his playing techniques on sacred geometry his concerts are generally sold out. Profound self-awakening and life altering experiences are commonly reported within each concert. (see http://www.sacredsoundgongbath.com). As the owner of the Illuminarium, a retail web location specializing in Sacred Eastern Artifacts and Dharma teachings, Rudis represents museum quality artifacts collected by Tibetan Buddhist Lamas and their communities, (most of the moneys raised are returned to the originating Tibetan sources). As a Buddhist pilgrim he is in the Himalayan region often and has guided other curious travelers into the hidden world of sacred travel. Rudis also holds degrees in Fine Arts and English from the University of Connecticut. He is a recognized photographic artist having studied with notables such as Paul Capreonegro, William Parker and Ansel Adams. Richard may be contacted via email at rudis@buddhistartifacts.com.