Sunday, July 29, 2007

Prayer Flags

prayer flagsPrayer flags are inscribed with auspicious symbols, invocation, prayers and mantras. Tibetan Buddhists for centuries have planted these flags outside their homes and places of spiritual practice for the wind to carry the beneficent vibrations across the countryside and the world. Prayer flags are said to bring happiness, long life and prosperity to the flag planter and those in the vicinity.

Dharma prints bear traditional Buddhist symbols, protectors and enlightened beings. As the Buddhist spiritual approach is non-theistic, the elements of Tantric iconography do not stand for external beings, but represent aspects of enlightened mind i.e. compassion, perfect action, fearlessness, etc. Displayed with respect, Dharma prints impart a feeling of harmony and bring to mind the precious teachings.

Traditionally the flags are sewn into ropes to be displayed horizontally. There are five colors of flags in a set: Yellow, Green, Red, White and Blue, representing the five elements of Earth, Water, Fire, Cloud and Sky, respectively.

Since the symbols and Mantras on the flags are sacred, they should be treated with respect. Burning is the only proper way to dispose of them.
Lovingkindness Meditation
May all beings be well.
May all beings be happy.
May all beings be peaceful.
May all beings be relieved of suffering.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those are beautiful, I've never seen anything like them.

I've learned so much from you today!! :0) Thanks!

Laloofah said...

Aren't they pretty? I've had a set of my own for a couple of years, I just haven't figured out a suitable place to hang them yet.

I'm glad you learned a lot from my blog today! You're very welcome, it's absolutely been my pleasure. You've been a wonderful monitor! :-)

jenniek said...

That meditation sounds beautiful. I would try it out right now, but it would probably be enough to put me to sleep. LOL I promise I'll make it. If nothing else, I'm getting the chance to watch the sunrise. It's not something I get to do very often.