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Learn more about Khatas' meanings, color, etiquette, etc. Therefore, the prayer flag has become a link between Gods and men. I was told these insects feed on dead wood so as not to harm the living trees. I use mixed media to create paintings of a spiritual nature. Our cotton linen prayer flags are handmade and blessed by Tibetan Buddhist nuns living in India. right, Hostel hop your way to the most Southeast Asia, Saga Dawa Festival, which takes place in Tibet, Check out our Kailash Saga Dawa Festival trip here. [1] I really appreciated these teachings about prayer flags. Mindful in May is symbolic of the broader appropriation of meditation and only giving it validation through Western science. Rather than the pursuit of wealth, Eastern religion focussed on inner growth and peace of mind. Hes been working in the industry since 2006 and has a network that spans all 6 continents. Check the top 10 Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. I am very excited to hang my prayer flags as I would like to begin sending my wishes to end suffering for sentient beings. The Origin of the Tibetan Prayer Flags The reason why those streamers are known as prayer flags is that there are numerous Buddhism sutras printed on them. The colors on the prayer flags depict the same. Buddhism really began to capture the popular imagination of the West in the 1960s, thanks in large part to the Beat poets like Alan Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac. Everything from the color to the word holds a meaning. A-. They were cut, retied, flags cut from the strand then thrown on the ground, in my yard. This way the prayers on the Tibetan prayer flags will be fully free to blow in the breeze and spread prayers and good wishes to all sentient beings. They are meant to represent the five elements in balance and it is not really appropriate to the purpose or culture to separate them. Meditation is quickly heading down the track of Yoga, which has become so far removed from its Hinduism roots many people in Australia probably wouldn't even know its religious tradition. Now, it's widely used in the northern part of India, Nepal, and Bhutan. The reason why those streamers are known as prayer flags is that there are numerous Buddhism sutras printed on them. I have been given a single Mongolian prayer flag . Your email address will not be published. However, is the rope theyre strung along also natural fiber? Dear Lynne, you can hang prayer flags any time. What is your suggestion to do with them? Is it inappropriate to hang prayer flags inside? This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Required fields are marked *. The prayer flags signify an affiliation with Tibetan Buddhism, and those who decorate with them presumably embrace the ideals of mindfulness, tolerance, and non-violence. My flags face the street so is it blue first from my right facing out when putting them up ? The colors blue and white represent the sky, the air, red represents fire, green represents water, and yellow represents earth. I am interested in your thoughts on this. One option is to take the synthetic prayer flags to a place in nature and tie them on a tree somewhere. Tibetan language is referred to as Bodic or Tibetic language. Tashi Delek! As Buddhism grows in the West, it is natural that the initial points of contact will be through the pre-socialised systems of reasoning. Alternatively, you can write a mantra (or any protective affirmation that is meaningful to you) on paper and place it above your door. Both work. If youve enjoyed these reflections on Tibetan prayer flags, you might also enjoy some of the following articles about Buddhism and Eastern spirituality. Vipassana meditation is re-named "insight or mindful meditation" and Anapana meditation is renamed "breathing meditation." Originated from Bon culture, the prayer flags, namely Longda in the Tibetan language, primarily carry our prayers via the wind to get them answered. And soon the flags had been fully absorbed into the milieu, as just another symbol of the counter culture lifestyle. First came the Free Tibet t-shirts and bumper stickers, iconic symbols of grassroots organizing and international awareness, even before the era of MySpace and TedTalks. During his reign, he greatly expanded the territory of Tibet and made it a powerful country on the Plateau. Your email address will not be published. And therefore, Tibetan prayer flags are believed to promote prosperity, compassion, peace, and wisdom. Quite some time ago I was assigned to dispose of some hundreds of wood malas that had been blessed by HH 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje. I have never heard this step from anyone else. In Buddhist believers' eyes, the prayer flag waves for one time in the wind means reciting the sutra once, which is a way to show pilgrims' wishes and seek blessings from Gods. Note: If you only want to remove this post from public view, you can choose to unpublish it instead. If you choose to enhance your home, garden or yoga studio with Tibetan prayer flags, its important to know the story behind them. The bright cloth flags are printed with auspicious symbols, invocations, prayers, and mantras. The most critical thing about hanging prayer flags is ones intention. i have hung a prayer flag inside the car recently i bought new prayer flag little big in size .. so my question is the flag which i have removed can be hung outside my house. For more on common misperceptions of Buddhism in Western culture, you can also listen to the recent RN Encounter program, "Instant Karma's gonna get you.". These were some of the factors which set the stage for the 14th Dalai Lama, who by the end of the 20th century had risen to something like rock star status in the Western world. We are deeply sorry for the loss of your son and send you our profound condolences. If you decide to hang them indoors, thats ok too. Tibetans do hang prayer flags on auspicious days, thereby multiplying the merit and impact of hanging the prayer flags. Thank you for your comment, Caitlin, and your wish to donate prayer flags. If other bereaved parents ask you about doing something similar, you may want to suggest that they create a separate set of flags to honor their lost child that they hang along with the Tibetan prayer flags. In Tibetan, this ceremony is called "Tuosui", which means offering sacrifices to gods and praying for blessings. The 5 colors of prayer flags represent the 5 basic elements: yellow-earth, green-ater, red-fire, white-air, blue-space. Ajahn Brahmavamso, a well-known British Theravada monk based in Perth, illustrates the importance of mindfulness being accompanied by the Buddhist Triple-Gem foundations of Sila (morality), Samadhi (concentration/peace of mind) and Panna (wisdom), as similar to a cat that stalks with the intention to kill. Your wish to honor her in this special way sounds full of love and compassion, including for her friends who are unable to attend her memorial. Thank you so much for supporting the nuns! Yes, you can hang the prayers outside your house. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'bambubatu_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bambubatu_com-medrectangle-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'bambubatu_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_5',114,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bambubatu_com-medrectangle-4-0_1');.medrectangle-4-multi-114{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}With ever-increasing popularity, the Dalai Lama was able to raise awareness about the plight of Tibet and the Buddhist monks who had been driven into exile by the Chinese communist regime. Tibetan prayer flags are religious. I would have burned them, but I have a feeling they are likely synthetic and I dont want to burn plastic materials. Luckily he agreed to do that in their back yard. For hundreds of years of history, hanging prayer flags has become a traditional custom in Tibetan regions, which is a self-cultivation way. You can choose to say a mantra if you wish. The problem I have is that I live in a city that does not permit burning as it is very dry here and sunny. ; Prayer Flags Size:13 X 11 Inches,The String Is 23 Feet Long With 20 Clear Block Prints On High Quality 100% Polyester. I know this this is not advisable for everyone, but if you have some woods or perhaps even just and undisturbed part of your land this could be a viable option. Buddhism and Zen mediation offered an escape from the materialistic mindset of the West. The flags customarily come in sets of five, each with a different color and mantra. Fortunately, mine are all cotton, because Ive ordered them from the Tibetan Nuns Project store. Those flags are called lung dar prayer flags. Maybe I will put them in a bag for Goodwill or another place that accepts donations. 4. Old prayer flags should be burned in order to show traditional Tibetan respect and carry prayers to the heavens. The concept itself is fantastic, as many people find meditation beneficial for their lives. This is a common prayer flag, especially at New Year, symbolizing new ventures and beginnings. When disposing of old prayer flags one should burn them so that the smoke may carry their blessings to the heavens. Learn how your comment data is processed. I am planning to move and am interested in taking my Windhorse prayer flags with me. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Ive been told synthetic material shouldnt be burned because of harm to the environment. The Auspicious Time to Put up a Flag is During the Tibetan New Year. Two: there are powerful beings around who will be utterly provoked and create all sorts of calamities. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said, The quality or purity of any spiritual practice is determined by the individuals intention and motivation. Wishing you every happiness, Mary. Thanks for your question, Billy. Tibetan clothing is worn with an inner garment and a pair of wide and long sleeves, with rich connotation and diversity dressing culture in tradition. Buddhism in Western Society The horizontal flags, known as Lung-ta or "Wind Horse", are either square or rectangular and are strung along the longest edge in a row between two high points or a high point and the ground. Here's a brief introduction to its beginning, development, and schools. Tibetan prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. THEY ARE ALL PLASTIC NOWADAYS. I do not want to be disrespectful but also want to honor my friend in a way she would enjoy or relate to. Yellow for the earth. The colorful fabric squares, hanging side by side, each contain a Buddhist Sutra, prayer or mantra. Traditionally, Tibetan prayer flags come in sets of five, with one flag in each of five colors, left to right in this specific order: blue, white, red, green, and yellow. Go off the beaten path (and onto a dhoni boat) to best explore this island paradise, Our Roamie-ing Reporter, Claire Scott, shares highlights from her big Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia adventure, Our Roamie-ing Reporter, Claire Scott, shares highlights from her fun-filled Costa Rican adventure, As part of her two year solo trek, Dina Carter gives you the lowdown on hiking hubs in Patagonia, Where to travel this year based on your zodiac sign. They Should Never be Put on the Ground or Keep Still. Thank you. When talking to educated rulers he would use intellectual language; when speaking to farmers he would often use simple similes to everyday agricultural practices. You can always hang new ones along with the old ones. Quickly place the thread on the glue and flatten it with your fingers. Dear Hazel, Its best to hang the prayer flag somewhere high. My idea is that all of the materials that go to make up the prayer flags come from the ground Eventually they will go back to the ground, one way or another.through fire to ash or natural decomposition in the air to be carried by the natural processes, recycled to earth again. Should I unravel them or leave them be.? Khata scarves are the most common Tibetan gifts. Hello, You can not only see marvelous religious artworks but also discover the spiritual home of Tibetan people. White symbolises air, red is fire. 5. The key is to try to dispose of your prayer flags with the greatest respect possible. In the highlands of the Himalayas, devotees hang their prayer flags far and wide. A bit like the American flag, there are certain norms regarding how, when and where the flags are displayed. A Tibetan prayer flag is a colorful rectangular cloth, often found strung along trails and peaks high in the Himalayas. The colorful prayer flag decorates the holy snow-covered plateau, like rainbows, and it has become a unique landscape. These times include Tibetan New Year and the two weeks that follow it and Saga Dawa (the fourth month of the Tibetan Lunar calendar), particularly Saga Dawa Duchen, the most holy day (the 15th day of the 4th lunar month) which marks the Buddhas birth, enlightenment, and paranirvana. Tibetan Buddhism is important to Tibetans as it affects every aspect of their lives. If so, how should I take them down and put them back up? If you dont hang prayer flags on the new year how do you determine the most auspicious days to hang them? Being careful not to let the old prayer flags touch the ground, a Tibetan Buddhist nun burns the flags while wishing to end the suffering of all sentient beings. Palden Lhamo is the chief Dharma Protector, so she is highly valued in all major sects of Tibetan Buddhism. The Origin of the Tibetan Prayer Flags. Songtsen Gampo(617-650) was the 33rd Tibetan King. That being said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with engaging with Buddhism through Western philosophy. It is considered disrespectful too if the Buddhist flags lay down on the ground or keep still. Where can I hang it? I will be grateful for your answers to these two questions: Where can I send them? 8, Dang Re Road, Lhasa, Tibet, China. Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be spread by the wind and bring goodwill and compassion to benefit all beings. Tibetan prayer flags are bright and beautiful, but their colours aren't just for show. Eventually, even younger generations unfamiliar with the political context of the Tibetan nation were hanging prayer flags in their windows and over their patios. Learn more about Khatas' meanings, color, etiquette, etc. It was founded in 2005 and recommended by Lonely Planet as one of the best reputed local Tibet travel agencies. A symbol of spiritual enlightenment or international brotherhood, these prayer flags hang from awnings and sway in the breeze, indicating a certain philosophical orientation.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'bambubatu_com-box-3','ezslot_6',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bambubatu_com-box-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'bambubatu_com-box-3','ezslot_7',118,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bambubatu_com-box-3-0_1');.box-3-multi-118{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Your Consumption of Buddhism Is Self-Serving I'm not going to knock mindfulness. Blessings to you. Color fading from the flags is considered auspicious. Do you also burn old khatas in a similar fashion? I found a set of Tibetan prayer flags at my grandmothers house on the floor in her kitchen and don't know if I can still fly them or if I should just We should perhaps all just buy prayer flags that are made of 100% natural fibres. What prayers or mantras should I do before hanging prayer flags.Im told they should be blessed before hanging blessed rice et cetera!? Balancing the five elements in places and in our own bodies and lives helps to bring harmony, health and well-being. Pingback: How to Make Your Chicken Coop Cute! Mary Miller. As you hang the prayer flags, wish that all beings be free of suffering and the causes of suffering. In Buddhist believers eyes, the prayer flag waves for one time in the wind means reciting the sutra once, which is a way to show pilgrims wishes and seek blessings from Gods. A Closer Look at the Prayer Flags One unique traditional feature of the Tibetan prayer flag 'Lungta' is the image of a powerful horse with 3 'ratnas' or flaming jewels on its back. Janet, thanks for your question. in touch with us and receive great news when we have Is it ok to hang Om Mani Pae Mey Hun flag high up in the bedroom wall.. We just want peace all over.. We mostly keep windows closed.. is it ok.. please advise. Tibetan Wedding Customs and Ceremony Meditation shouldn't be limited to Buddhism, but it's important to acknowledge where it comes from and its traditions. Is it ok if the few flags which will hang against the wide support poles dont get to blow in the wind as much as the other flags? Order Gyaltsen Tsenpo prayer flags in three sizes here. It is so wonderful that you have put such thought and care into the respectful disposal of your old prayer flags. We are moving and our old prayer flags need to be taken down. You can order Tara prayer flags in three sizes here. 6. Thank you so much for your response. Presenting Khata expresses good wishes and respect. Other auspicious days are those connected with the Buddhas life and teaching. There is a concerted effort to make the Dhamma (the teachings of the Buddha) completely compatible with modern Western thinking and disregard for the supernatural. A Tibetan Buddhist nun at Dolma Ling Nunnery hangs new prayer flags at Losar, Tibetan New Year. I understand the order and colour of the flags but does it matter if the blue flag is first when hanging them or the yellow flag first ending with the blue? Is it possible that the rope is twisted or the prayer flags are curled up? When you pack them for the move, treat them with respect and care. The Dalai Lama, along with other Buddhist teachers, have actively sought to engage Westerners in Buddhism through the lens of Western philosophy and there is a direct comparison that can be draw here to the Buddha's own life. And while easily accessible teachers - such as some of the works of the Dalai Lama - should be welcomed and celebrated, it's important to remember that you don't know everything there is to know about Buddhism from reading one book of quotes. It had been advised to make a wooden enclosure or something to protect the damaged holy objects and this could be placed in the forest as a sort of shrine house. When talking about Tibetan handicrafts, people would think of Thangka, Tibetan incense, Tibetan medicine, Tibetan knife, Tibetan ornaments, etc. Your intention is important. All things must pass, to quote another counter culture icon. Tibetan Prayer Flags: The Real Meaning. The Tibetan people have a long history and relationship with spirituality in their cultureso much so, that almost any thought of Tibet conjures up images of monks and temples in our minds. Thank you, Daniel. Here are 10 things you should know: 1. When disposing of old prayer flags one should burn them so that the smoke may carry their blessings to the heavens. Thank you so much for your reply. Just remove them and re-hang the respectfully and make sure they do not touch the ground. It's a great way to stay These jewels represent the Buddha, the Dharma (Buddhist teachings), and the Sangha (Buddhist community) which are the three cornerstones of Tibetan philosophical tradition. This cannot be undone. Believers engrave scriptures and spiritual prayers on the colorful prayer flags and then hang them in series on cliffs, representative snow-capped mountain passes and bridges connecting the two sides. They should not touch the ground. Central to the appropriation in the West is the way Buddhism is tokenised and not treated as a legitimate religion. Hello Maura, We have consulted the nuns about disposing of prayer flags. This is because Buddhism, the country's major religion, has played a huge role in the development and history of . Your email address will not be published. Interested in ideas for respectful, environmentally safe disposal of ok prayer flags and katas. Hi. The third type of prayer flag is composed of five pieces of colorful streamers without lettering and a single color trimmed main banner square cloth, which are printed with Buddha's teachings and patterns of birds and animals. Photo courtesy of Olivier Adam. Dear Simone, You can unravel them so that they hang down properly. Many in the West often try to understand Buddhism through the eyes of European science and philosophy. Fading of the colors on these flags means that the prayers were carried by the breeze. Help. Green for water. Windhorse prayer flags made by the nuns are available in three sizes. Instead of getting Buddhist monks to promote the project, they got an array of Western scientists and academics to testify that the benefits of meditation have been proven "real" according to Western science (in case you thought monks have been practicing it for 2500 years for no reason). You can string the prayer flags either way because the wind moves around and changes direction. Popular inner-city Asian clothes and furniture chain Ishka offer you "karma cards" as a loyalty program. Tibetans believe that the prayers will be spread by the wind, bringing goodwill and auspiciousness to all beings. It is most respectful to burn them. The wind horse is a symbol of the human soul in the shamanistic tradition of East Asia and Central Asia.In Tibetan Buddhism, it was included as the pivotal element in the center of the four animals symbolizing the cardinal directions and a symbol of the idea of well-being or good fortune.It has also given the name to a type of prayer flag that has the five animals printed on it. You can hang them with the printed prayers facing the direction you want. If youd like to receive our monthly e-updates with news, you can sign up here: https://tnp.org/mailinglist/ Warmest wishes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Subscribe to our blog and receive new posts by email. All proceeds from the sale of them helps to provide food, shelter and education for the nuns. The new-style marriage is that men and women have the freedom to choose their spouses but still follow the etiquette of the traditional Tibetan wedding. Many different founding texts are used by the different schools and the Suttas (the earliest recordings of the Buddha's life) alone compiled together are enough to fill a small book-shelf. There is no specific direction to hang them. Ones intention is important. The flags contain sacred texts and symbols and should be treated respectfully. This is all part of the natural process of time, and reinforces the Buddhist notion of impermanence. Balancing these elements externally brings harmony to the environment. When you move the prayer flags, do so respectfully and do not let them touch the ground. Best of luck with your studies. 9 Likes, 0 Comments - Tibetan Culture (@culturetibet) on Instagram: "Tibetan prayer flags are either designed for horizontal or vertical hanging. Do I reach for something else or double back and tie it unto itself, since it is not long enough to go the whole length back? Right now I have mine hanging in a southern direction in my bedroom window. 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Helps to provide food, shelter and education for the nuns are in! Colorful prayer flag mine are all cotton, because Ive ordered them from the sale of them to! Their colours aren & # x27 ; m not going to knock mindfulness in.... Their prayer flags any time and mantras will be utterly provoked and create all sorts of calamities customarily in... Has said, there are auspicious and inauspicious days to hang the prayers will be spread by the.! Sky, the quality or purity of any spiritual practice is determined by the wind bring. By Lonely Planet tibetan prayer flags appropriation one of the natural process of time, reinforces. Elements in places and in our own bodies and lives helps to provide food, shelter and education for nuns. And auspiciousness to all beings palden Lhamo is the rope theyre strung along trails and peaks high in West. A way she would enjoy or relate to also natural fiber of impermanence maybe I will put them up.