This year, Buddha Board, founded in 2000 by Vancouver entrepreneur Eric Thrall, celebrates its 25th anniversary, a milestone that reflects both innovation and impact in the wellness and art space. What began as a simple inspiration on the streets of Japan has grown into a global mindfulness tool that has touched millions.
Thrall's journey started during his travels through Japan, where he observed calligraphers practicing kanji on special surfaces with water, using the art of sumi-e. Their brushstrokes appeared bold and fluid, only to slowly vanish as the water evaporated. For Thrall, there was beauty in that impermanence, the fleeting art carried not just aesthetic charm, but also a profound sense of mindfulness.
