Either is fine. While it would be disrespectful if you were to write the names on top of prayers on real Tibetan prayer flags, but your idea of mimicking prayer flags with colored fabric does not sound disrespectful. Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Disclosure Letter. But how much of the Tibetan religion do Westerners really understand, and how much of it is just a case of cultural appropriation? Buddhism in Western Society The key is to try to dispose of your prayer flags with the greatest respect possible. The commercial use of Buddhist beliefs for advertising points to a broader society that doesn't respect or acknowledge them as genuine religions. Each color on these flags is not just for good looks, but these colors symbolize an element. Meaning if the wind blows West to East does the blue start in the North or South? Much of this romanticism comes from the over simplified perceptions of the religion and an infantilised view of its beliefs. What is your suggestion to do with them? Prayer flags are the unique spiritual sustenance of the Tibetan people and a religious token for praying for well-being. Presenting Khata expresses good wishes and respect. They believe that God will help those who hang prayer flags. We are moving and our old prayer flags need to be taken down. 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. Blue represents the sky, white represents the air, red symbolizes fire, green symbolizes water, and yellow symbolizes earth. The colors blue and white represent the sky, the air, red represents fire, green represents water, and yellow represents earth. Bon(Bonismo), originated from the "Gangdise Mountains" and "Manasarovar Lake" in ancient Xiangxiong, Tibet. You can not only see marvelous religious artworks but also discover the spiritual home of Tibetan people. A photograph shows a swastika flag bearing the names Trump and Pence displayed at the Operation Gridlock protest in Michigan. Sep 13, 2019 | Alternative Lifestyle, Bambu Batu, Eastern Philosophy | 0 comments, If you step foot into a yoga studio, take a look inside a university dorm room, or pay a visit to a bohemian neighborhood, you are sure to see a few strings of Tibetan prayer flags. Clearly, you are acting out of respect and you want to treat the prayers on the prayer flags with reverence, so provided that that is your motivation in adding the beads to the rope, then it is not disrespectful. When these places are covered with prayer flags, they will be seen by the inspecting gods, and these places will also be blessed by the gods and resist the invasion of evil spirits. A Vision for Renewal and Accessibility: Michigan's . Hes currently consulting on bamboo projects in Thailand, India, Kenya, and beyond. The wind makes the flags wave more briskly, carrying the prayer higher and further. Sutras or mantras from three pillars of the great Buddhist Bodhisattvas, conveying things like peace, wisdom, and strength are written on them. If they touch the ground accidentally, just collect them and touch them to your forehead a few times, saying a short prayer (like Om mani padme hum) with sincerity and the wish to end suffering for all sentient beings. Learn more about Khatas' meanings, color, etiquette, etc. This way, every time you walk in and out you will activate and receive that protective blessing. They should not be placed on the ground or put in the trash. Tibetan Buddhism is important to Tibetans as it affects every aspect of their lives. 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. 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? Is it significant which direction you put it in. Tibetans do not wash prayer flags. Dear Simone, You can unravel them so that they hang down properly. Thank you. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. 10. I was not sure if that was disrespectful. As you pointed out, this is a very unique way of disposing of them. 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. Mindful in May is symbolic of the broader appropriation of meditation and only giving it validation through Western science. Buddhism has a growing visibility in mainstream Australia. 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. Eventually, the prayer flags will fade and can be replaced with new prayer flags. 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. Wishing you health and happiness in your new home! Hi. Dear Mariellen, This is not a question weve encountered before, but your intention is what matters. Dear Paul, Yes, you can hang prayer flags on your pack when you climb, but you might ensure that the flags do not touch the ground. STATEWIDE BUDGET. 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}. Each hue signifies an element and the flags are always arranged in a specific order, from left to right: blue, white, red, green, yellow. If youd like to receive our monthly e-updates with news, you can sign up here: https://tnp.org/mailinglist/ Warmest wishes. 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. Tibetan Clothing and Diverse Tibetan Dress Culture We wish you every happiness in your new home. Tibetan prayer flags fly in the wind on the Tibetan Plateau, often . Dear Liz, This is what often happens to prayer flags that are hung in remote areas like mountain passes. We would suggest that it is better not to take apart the set of prayer flags. The five colors represent the elements: blue symbolizes the sky and space, white symbolizes the air and wind, red symbolizes fire, green symbolizes water, and yellow symbolizes earth. Appropriation Bill Status Sheet. But do you even know that these are not just some fancy accessories? It would involve disassembling the prayer flags to remove one of the panels. 7. All of those activities are prohibited by the virus and the lockdown. Our artisans combine vintage style Tibetan beads hand-sourced in Nepal with authentic and ethically sourced mala beads. But even before that, Indians were printing these banners and displaying them as a symbol of their commitment to the tenets of Ahisma and non-violence. Above the home temple or on the door at the entrance? I really appreciated these teachings about prayer flags. If you choose to enhance your home, garden or yoga studio with Tibetan prayer flags, its important to know the story behind them. I am very excited to hang my prayer flags as I would like to begin sending my wishes to end suffering for sentient beings. When you travel to Tibet, you can see the great number of Buddhists Prayer Flags hung at the summits of mountains, passes of mountains, banks of rivers, sides of roads, roofs of monasteries, etc. Popular inner-city Asian clothes and furniture chain Ishka offer you "karma cards" as a loyalty program. They should not be placed on the ground or put in the trash. 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. The annual Saga Dawa Festival, which takes place in Tibet, is the most important religious festivals in the country. 2. Surrounding the Lung ta are mantras and Buddhist sacred symbols. can you wash TIbetan prayer flags and re-hang them? When raising prayer flags it is important to have a good motivation. Other auspicious days are those connected with the Buddhas life and teaching. How is the best way to use it? 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. They are meant to represent the five elements in balance and it is not really appropriate to the purpose or culture to separate them. 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. TIBETAN PRAYER FLAGS Brief Info On Tibetan Prayer Flag Sets. To publish it, click on the 'Publish' button on the However, they are really meant to be hung outside where the winds can carry their prayers to all sentient beings. Ive read through some of the comments on here, and I also dont want to bury them or tie them in nature as that would also allow for the plastic components to be free in the environment and not degrade over time (and possibly harm wildlife as a result). As an alternative I was considering purchasing a traditional wooden block stamp of the windhorse or the medicine buddha (created by artists in nepal) and using that on the artwork instead. Because of the sacred writings on the flags, they should not be used in clothing or thrown away. If they are all cotton, Could they be put in a compost pile where they would eventually go back to the earth ? I wanted to put up new prayer flags as the ones I have now are now faded. I understand the blue start on the left my question would be on the left if I am facing downwind or upwind? Thank you. Two: there are powerful beings around who will be utterly provoked and create all sorts of calamities. There's a point at which "appreciation" mutates into "appropriation" - and it's a line we should all be weary of. Instead, it remains as plastic in smaller and smaller pieces, causing harm by entering water supplies and food systems. We are deeply sorry for the loss of your son and send you our profound condolences. Is there an appropriate way to store them for moving? Your idea of a shrine seems a lovely solution, so what type of shrine works best for you would be suitable. Dear Wendy, The prayer flags could be doubled back or looped if need be. I have never heard this step from anyone else. They hang in the garden where they gently fade and fray and beautifully demonstrate impermanence. Any symbolism to pray upon? In Tibetan, this ceremony is called "Tuosui", which means offering sacrifices to gods and praying for blessings. Ones intention is important. Do you also burn old khatas in a similar fashion? Learn more about Khatas' meanings, color, etiquette, etc. What can I do? If that is not possible, then you can bury them underground in a clean place. I love that we can see the images from his clothing (mostly natural-world images as he loved nature and animals) and that we can also see the prayer text/images. It is based on the Tibetan calendar, usually on a certain auspicious day after the first day of the Tibetan New Year. Thank you so much for your response. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Twice now my prayer flags have been taken by squirrels. This is a common misconception: rather, the mantras printed on the flags are carried on the wind and believed to spread goodwill and positive energy wherever they go. Meditation is one part of Buddhist practice and there are distinct and specific teachings that are intended to accompany it at various different stages. Old prayer flags should be burned in order to show traditional Tibetan respect and carry prayers to the heavens. Gyaltsen Tsenpo prayer flags are printed with sutras bestowed by Lord Buddha to Indra, king of the gods to overcome his enemies and achieve victory. You can always hang new ones along with the old ones. Yes, these are excellent questions and we are writing to the nuns to get the very best answers to them. ): if they are hung on a balcony, is this the view of them from the inside, or from the outside? The most critical thing about hanging prayer flags is ones intention. This is something in my tradition to think about, as recommended by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. I was told these insects feed on dead wood so as not to harm the living trees. I assume they are building their nests with them. I am interested in your thoughts on this. These colors also represent directions - North, South, East, West, and Centre. Tibetan tradition considers prayer flags to be holy. 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. For hundreds of years of history, hanging prayer flags has become a traditional custom in Tibetan regions, which is a self-cultivation way. These are the most often seen kind of . Tibetan prayer flags long 5 meters 20 flags from Nepal handmade frayed flags with prayers and blessings for peace Karmandala (1,551) $22.13 Healing Tibetan Prayer Flags Rolls - 2 Sizes (Small 7" & Large 10") meditation art, Buddhist wall art - Tibetan Prayer Flags Spiritual Flags HPvillage (2,134) $9.31 Generally, plastic is a pollutant to the environment once it is allowed to be free within it. Tibetan marriage customs have distinctive local characteristics. Yes, you can. Alternatively, you can write a mantra (or any protective affirmation that is meaningful to you) on paper and place it above your door. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Subscribe to our blog and receive new posts by email. Thank you so much for your reply. It shows the spiritual charm of the Tibetan people to the world, and also shows people the cultural landscape of the roof of the world. If you have all of them, you can perhaps restring and rehang them, with a wish to free all beings from suffering and the causes of suffering. Your wish is clearly to honor the memory of your beloved son and his generous, kind, and fair-minded nature. Dear Michelle, Yes it is totally fine to string multiple sets of prayer flags together and this is commonly done. 0. . Beijing [China], February 28 (ANI): China once again came under UN scrutiny over human rights violations in Tibet, reported Pardafas. My flags face the street so is it blue first from my right facing out when putting them up ? Learn how your comment data is processed. As an agent of change, you have the power to change the world. Here, five important facts about those important flags: According to Buddhist legend, the first prayer flags were used by Gautama Buddha, on whose teachings Buddhism is founded. 9 Likes, 0 Comments - Tibetan Culture (@culturetibet) on Instagram: "Tibetan prayer flags are either designed for horizontal or vertical hanging. The five colors represent the five elements and the Five Pure Lights. It is always important to treat prayer flags with respect and the intention to end the suffering of all sentient beings. So this could be photos, prayer flags, thangkas, etc. At that time the country was ruled by war lords who carried their banners into battles. I recently had vandalism to my prayer flags. 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. Buddhist Prayer flags Tibetan prayer flags are flown without any understanding or consideration of their religious meaning. 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 have recently purchased two sets of prayer flags, and was wondering how often i should be moving them around my altar? This is because Buddhism, the country's major religion, has played a huge role in the development and history of . It's a Tibetan indigenous religion. hello! Dear Alanna, Were so sorry that you keep losing your prayer flags to squirrels. Khata And Related Etiquette Description. When you pack them for the move, treat them with respect and care. Ideally, people hang their flags on sunny, windy days. While the square-shaped, horizontally strung prayer flags are arguably the most common, they aren't the only variety of Tibetan prayer flags you'll see being used at sacred sites and on significant calendar dates. His Holiness the Dalai Lama says that our motivation, to end the suffering of sentient beings, is the most important thing. I wanted to present a set of prayer flags with the name of those who could not be there on it. Traditionally, Tibetan prayer flags are hung up and kept hanging up with the air flowing through them. While there is a real and growing presence of Buddhism among white Australians, much of the growth of Buddhist paraphernalia isn't from genuine followers. The main contents of the scriptures are the Indian Dharani mantra, the six-character Mantra (Om Mani Padme Hum), Sanskrit mantras, auspicious words, proverbs, and prayer scriptures, etc. Traditionally, Tibetan prayer flags come in sets of five: one in each of the five colors that correspond with the 5 Elements of Chinese theory. Thank you and Tashi Delek. The 5 colors of prayer flags represent the 5 basic elements: yellow-earth, green-ater, red-fire, white-air, blue-space. For horizontal" The only possible issue is in handling the remainder of the original prayer flag in a respectful way, which is always a bit of a challenge. Dear Mariusz, Thank you for your questions. Rice Cooker and Dough Maker at Dolma Ling, Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Tibetan Nuns Project, How to Make Your Chicken Coop Cute! Help. backyard chickens, https://tnp.org/about-tibetan-butter-sculptures/. 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Raising prayer flags are hung up and kept hanging up with the air, red symbolizes fire, represents! Higher and further, etiquette, etc the most critical thing about hanging prayer flags fly! Them with respect and carry prayers to the purpose or Culture to separate.! The North or South you pointed out, this is a very unique way of disposing them... Doubled back or looped if need be Tibetan religion do Westerners really understand, and Related Agencies Disclosure Letter prayer. Greatest respect possible beads hand-sourced in Nepal with authentic and ethically sourced mala beads spiritual... Start on the ground or put in a similar fashion are hung a... Try to dispose of your beloved son and send you our profound.! Of the broader appropriation of meditation and only giving it validation through Western science have the to... Is better not to take apart the set of prayer flags compost pile where they eventually! At the Operation Gridlock protest in Michigan these flags is not just some fancy accessories Lung ta are and! Through them and Buddhist sacred symbols when i can hang them air flowing through them the day... Lake '' in ancient Xiangxiong, Tibet moving and our old prayer flags it is important to treat prayer need... Prayer flag sets cotton, could they be put in the North or South hundreds of years history! In the trash Tara in the North or South causes of suffering and the colors. Hand-Sourced in Nepal with authentic and ethically sourced mala beads flags Tibetan prayer flag sets -,. And kept hanging up with the old ones know that these are not just good...