No you do not have to burn them and get replacements. When talking about Tibetan handicrafts, people would think of Thangka, Tibetan incense, Tibetan medicine, Tibetan knife, Tibetan ornaments, etc. Photo courtesy of Olivier Adam. Tibetans do hang prayer flags on auspicious days, thereby multiplying the merit and impact of hanging the prayer flags. ): if they are hung on a balcony, is this the view of them from the inside, or from the outside? Buy Windhorse Prayer flags here. In our actions, it is our intentions and thoughts that are important. Color Symbolic Meaning I saw it is important in which direction do you hang the prayer flags. Tibetan marriage customs have distinctive local characteristics. Songtsen Gampo(617-650) was the 33rd Tibetan King. Traditionally, the squares were printed with wooden blocks, and to this day that same method is often still used. Khata scarves are the most common Tibetan gifts. His Holiness the Dalai Lama says that our motivation, to end the suffering of sentient beings, is the most important thing. Blue symbolizes the sky and space, white symbolizes the air and wind, red symbolizes fire, green symbolizes water, and yellow symbolizes earth. Tibetan prayer flags are flown without any understanding or consideration of their religious meaning. Luckily he agreed to do that in their back yard. The problem I have is that I live in a city that does not permit burning as it is very dry here and sunny. If that is not possible, then you can bury them underground in a clean place as you did with the blessed cords from the mala. Tibetan language is referred to as Bodic or Tibetic language. For the well-known Six-Character Mantra, it does not have one particular meaning. They are used to bless the surrounding countryside and for other purposes. Tibetan Buddhism is important to Tibetans as it affects every aspect of their lives. Old prayer flags should be burned in order to show traditional Tibetan respect and carry prayers to the heavens. Lha gyal lo, Dear Simone, You can unravel them so that they hang down properly. Buddhism is vastly complicated religion, comprising of hundreds of schools of thought that fall under the two main schools of Mahayanna and Theravada. For the prayer flags, the combination of earth and earth is said to be the most auspicious. When I paint, my practice is to first meditate, and then to create from that space, allowing the painting to spring forth from the concept that I am meditating on. Mariusz. The issue of burning synthetic prayer flags doesnt not really come up for them because their prayer flags, like the ones we sell in our online store, are made of cotton. Prayer Flags . Like a tie-dye t-shirt or a Bob Marley tattoo, the Tibet prayer flags signified membership in certain segment of society. Can I do this on any day, or are there specific days one should take down prayer flags? She also brings about longevity, protects earthly travel, and guards her followers on their spiritual journey to enlightenment. 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. I have a large patio awning with wide support poles along its perimeter where I would like to hang my prayer flags. Fortunately, mine are all cotton, because Ive ordered them from the Tibetan Nuns Project store. Almost every monastery enshrines her. You can buy Tibetan prayer flags through the Tibetan Nuns Project online store. The flags give strangers an opportunity to ask what they are about and learn of our son, who was a generous, kind, and fair-minded spirit. 2. Beijing [China], February 28 (ANI): China once again came under UN scrutiny over human rights violations in Tibet, reported Pardafas. Unlike some other religions from the East, Buddhism is highly romanticised in Western eyes. These jewels represent the Buddha, the Dharma (Buddhist teachings), and the Sangha (Buddhist community) which are the three cornerstones of Tibetan philosophical tradition. Would this be a respectful way of disposing of them? The Peace Flag Project is based on the Prayer Flags of Tibet. Material:Made Of Satin Fabric With Glossy Surface.Clear Decals Are Printed On A Stunning Polyester Material.It Promotes Peace,Compassion,Strength And Wisdom.These Flags Would Also Look Attractive In Your Home Or On The Yard. Buddhists added their own texts to increase the power of the flags. Hes currently consulting on bamboo projects in Thailand, India, Kenya, and beyond. Learn more about Khatas' meanings, color, etiquette, etc. Tibetan prayer flags are religious. Prayer flags are renewed every year as a symbol of good fortune. Tibetan Wedding Customs and Ceremony Everything from the color to the word holds a meaning. I am planning to move and am interested in taking my Windhorse prayer flags with me. Prayer flags have a long history dating back to ancient times. 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. Normally prayer flags are hung outdoors so the wind can carry the prayers, but intention is key and it is OK to hang them indoors also. Interested in ideas for respectful, environmentally safe disposal of ok prayer flags and katas. Just remove them and re-hang the respectfully and make sure they do not touch the ground. Traditionally, Tibetan prayer flags are hung left to right in this specific order: blue, white, red, green, and yellow. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'bambubatu_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_8',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bambubatu_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'bambubatu_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_9',113,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bambubatu_com-large-leaderboard-2-0_1');.large-leaderboard-2-multi-113{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}. Many in the West often try to understand Buddhism through the eyes of European science and philosophy. Dear Mary, We are very sorry for the loss of your friend. Tashi Delek! Thank you so much for your response. Either is fine. Traditionally, Tibetan prayer flags are hung up and kept hanging up with the air flowing through them. The flags customarily come in sets of five, each with a different color and mantra. It is best to hang them outdoors rather than indoors, for example, and ill-advised to hang them in the rain. 8, Dang Re Road, Lhasa, Tibet, China. The first is a long rope hung with a five-color square cloth (blue, white, red, green and yellow) in accordance with the order, printed with the Buddha's teachings as well as patterns of birds and beasts, which are commonly seenon sparsely populated mountains. Much of this romanticism comes from the over simplified perceptions of the religion and an infantilised view of its beliefs. Because of the sacred writings on the flags, they should not be used in clothing or thrown away. Although of course we modified the flags with the best intentions and respect, Im now wondering if what we did in adding the images/fabric of his shirts to the flags was actually disrespectful? This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. Tibetan Prayer Flags: The Real Meaning. 10. However, there is a concerted effort to remove meditation from its religious context as a Buddhist practice and ignore the teachings that are intended to accompany it. Your email address will not be published. Check out our Kailash Saga Dawa Festival trip here. Do I really need to burn these? And the colors of prayer flags are fixed and cannot be innovated casually. Teaching Buddhism by drawing comparisons to Western philosophy can be seen in this light, as a vessel to understanding some aspects of the Dhamma. It's a great way to stay Do not let prayer flags touch the ground as they are burned. These are the most often seen kind of . Windhorse prayer flags made by the nuns are available in three sizes. For horizontal" 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. In many ways, the counterculture adopted Eastern spirituality as a reaction against the rampant consumerism and self-serving mentality that pervaded post-war America. I have read that there are mantras to be said while hanging up the flags, what are they? Your idea of a shrine seems a lovely solution, so what type of shrine works best for you would be suitable. Tibetan language is referred to as Bodic or Tibetic language. The five colors represent the five elements and the Five Pure Lights. Presenting Khata expresses good wishes and respect. 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. Sutras or mantras from three pillars of the great Buddhist Bodhisattvas, conveying things like peace, wisdom, and strength are written on them. Do you also burn old khatas in a similar fashion? Get to Tibet, Tibetan Clothing and Diverse Tibetan Dress Culture, Tibetan Buddhism Prostration - How and Why to Make Prostrations, Dava Private House, No. Please tell me specifically when I can hang them. Hi, I was happy to see that the nuns are making traditional cotton flags and not the synthetic fiber ones. Tibetan tradition considers prayer flags to be holy. Red for fire. Here are 10 things you should know: 1. The wind makes the flags wave more briskly, carrying the prayer higher and further. As the fabric decomposes, new flags are hung alongside them, all serving to remind us of the unrelenting passage of time. We should perhaps all just buy prayer flags that are made of 100% natural fibres. Unfortunately all the cotton flags Ive found so far have been strung on nylon ropes which its near impossible to avoid burning along with the flags. Dear Lynne, you can hang prayer flags any time. A Vision for Renewal and Accessibility: Michigan's . The colorful prayer flag decorates the holy snow-covered plateau, like rainbows, and it has become a unique landscape. Your Consumption of Buddhism Is Self-Serving I'm not going to knock mindfulness. Is there anything I can do to prevent this from continuing to happen? The order of colours is facing which way or does it not matter. Miss Jennifer, Yes, these are excellent questions and we are writing to the nuns to get the very best answers to them. If youre unable to do this, just dispose of them as respectfully as possible. G ADVENTURES LIMITED, a company incorporated and registered in England and Wales with company number 7848780, VAT No.175 4505 02, and its registered office is 60 Bastwick Street, London, EC1V 3AT. This cannot be undone. Prayer flags are believed to have originated within the religious tradition of Bon. It is said that her compassion for living beings is stronger than a mothers love for her children. Surrounding the Lung ta are mantras and Buddhist sacred symbols. Your intention is important. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Subscribe to our blog and receive new posts by email. Phone: 805.316.1233Email: mail@bambubatu.com. Is it inappropriate to hang prayer flags inside? Handmade art has been an indispensable part of the lives of the Tibetan people. It better stills, just tie up the new ones next to the old. Ive been told synthetic material shouldnt be burned because of harm to the environment. More and more Westerns are engaging in Buddhism through online resources and Vipassana meditation centres often serve as an introduction to meditation. I saw one comment about placing the flags in a shrine house to place in nature, and thought I could possibly fold them up (the flags are quite small) and place them in some kind of terrarium or other small shrine or spirit house to keep in my balcony garden. One should not have selfish or limiting thoughts. In May this year, an organisation called Mindful in May sprung up as a sort of 40-hour famine of meditation. That way we will not have a problem if disposal. If you violate the thousand-year-old traditions of northern India, youre not likely to be punished with 144 days of bad karma, so long as you act mindfully, respectfully and in accordance with the laws of nature. Dear Michelle, You can double back your prayer flags or tie it to something else. Instead, it remains as plastic in smaller and smaller pieces, causing harm by entering water supplies and food systems. These colors also represent directions - North, South, East, West, and Centre. Color and order. Normally they are hung outdoors so the prayers can be carried by the wind, but people do hang them inside too. 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. As Buddhism grows in the West, it is natural that the initial points of contact will be through the pre-socialised systems of reasoning. It is always important to treat prayer flags with respect and the intention to end the suffering of all sentient beings. Songtsen Gampo(617-650) was the 33rd Tibetan King. What do you think of this way of disposing of prayer flags? The contrast between old and new prayer flags is a reminder of impermanence and the continuing cycle of birth and death. Here's a brief introduction to its beginning, development, and schools. Ive had some prayer flags for several years that have now faded and gotten dirty with bird droppings. Green for water. 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. KHATAS. Over time, the wind and the elements take their toll, the colors fade, and the fabric frays. Meaning if the wind blows West to East does the blue start in the North or South? The Tibetan prayer flags are used as a means to spread. Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), How to hang and dispose of Tibetan prayer flags respectfully. Dear Anne, As you hang the prayer flags, wish that all beings be free of suffering and the causes of suffering. Above the home temple or on the door at the entrance? Please advise. Prayer flags are made of block-printed fabric using traditional printing techniques going back hundreds of years. 4 Days Lhasa City Essential Group Tour from USD450, 8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Group Tour from USD930, 9 Days Lhasa Shigatse Mt.Everest Namtso Tour from USD1200, 15 Days Mt.Everest & Mt Kailash Group Tour from USD1840, 7 Days Lhasa Mt. First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we Moreover, the arrangement order of each color is strictly stipulated. Dear Mariusz, Thank you for your questions. Our artisans combine vintage style Tibetan beads hand-sourced in Nepal with authentic and ethically sourced mala beads. We are moving and our old prayer flags need to be taken down. A-. THEY ARE ALL PLASTIC NOWADAYS. SAME OF COURSE APPLIES TO Help. This has always pleased me as it is benefitting them. Despite the many deep complexities of Buddhism there is a tendency for people to think they have an understanding of the religion from a single meme or a Dalai Lama coffee-table book. One of the goals is to spread their blessings outward so over the entrance might be good, but over the altar is good too. The ABCs Religion and Ethics portal is home to religious reporting & analysis, ethical discussion & philosophical discovery, and inspiring stories of faith and belief. in touch with us and receive great news when we have Those flags are called lung dar prayer flags. Today, these flags adorn the high mountains of the Himalayas, where elevations and spirituality achieve record heights. Winds have dispersed some to the ground which I left as part of that original idea. Purchase Guru Rinpoche prayer flags in three sizes here. I have prayer flags Id like to donate. This was a blog post written by the Tibetan Nuns Project, does that answer your question? When disposing of old prayer flags one should burn them so that the smoke may carry their blessings to the heavens. How should I dispose of them? These flags can be seen dotted throughout the mountainous regions of China, Nepal, Bhutan, and northern India. Khata And Related Etiquette I had an idea but was not sure if it was appropriate. Devas, which in Buddhism are a type of god-like, non-human entity, would carry flags with Gautama Buddha's prayers written on them into battle with asuras, which are a type of demi-god. Other auspicious days are those connected with the Buddhas life and teaching. As they blow in the wind, they confer blessings and peace. Two: there are powerful beings around who will be utterly provoked and create all sorts of calamities. But its always better to know the rules before you break the rules. That being said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with engaging with Buddhism through Western philosophy. Photo courtesy of Olivier Adam. them ready for you. 6 4 This is a common prayer flag, especially at New Year, symbolizing new ventures and beginnings. Required fields are marked *. It's a Tibetan indigenous religion. Prayer flags are colorful panels of rectangular cloths that promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom in Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan Prayer flags are intentionally crafted with 5 specific colors to honor and represent the 5 elements in balance: Blue for space. 8. We have 20 Acres half of which is left to nature. We wish you every happiness in your new home. We have a long stretch to cover and are wondering a couple of things: Is it ok to string multiple prayer flags together to get the desired length or would you custom make the flags to our desired length? Many Tibetan prayer flags have mantras written on them and can be placed in and outside of your home. 0. . The Tibetan Buddhist nuns at Dolma Ling Nunnery in India have been making prayer flags for many years. There are auspicious and inauspicious days to hang prayer flags, based on the Tibetan calendar. 11 Mile Public Parking & Public Space Project Requested Amount: $2,000,000 Recipient: City of Oak Park Project Location: Oak Park Project Description: Funding will be used to repair parking lots and install lighting, EV charging stations, and ADA upgrades. I really appreciated these teachings about prayer flags. According to Tibetan Buddhism, those five colors are related to the five Buddhas and five kinds of wisdom, which increases the mystery of Tibetan prayer flags. I use mixed media to create paintings of a spiritual nature. They are also used to carry prayers and mantras through the wind. I assume they are building their nests with them. Blessings. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said, The quality or purity of any spiritual practice is determined by the individuals intention and motivation. As this blog post says, When raising prayer flags it is important to have a good motivation. 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