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Member Since: 06/11/2007
Band Members:Prayer flags There are two main styles of flags: horizontal (Lung Dar) or vertical (Dar Cho or Dar Chen). Images on the prayer flags may be of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Taras (Compassion), Rinpoches, animals, lotus, teachers, or a variety of important beings. The eight auspicious symbols that appear on many of the sets are the: Two Fish, Conch Shell, Parasol, Furled Banner, Wheel of Teaching that the Buddha turned, Eternal Knot, Lotus and the Treasure Vase of Sacred Water filled with the nectar of immortality.The flags are raised to mark auspicious occasions, particularly at the New Year or Lo Sar, Tibetan New Year, which normally falls in mid February. In the year 2008, Lo Sar falls on February 7th and brings forth the year of the Earth Rat. Prayer flags are believed to be activated by the wind that moves them. In this, they function somewhat in the nature of prayer wheels. It is common to write a person's name or the birth or wedding date of a person on one of the prayer flags to personalize it. As the wind carries the prayers off the cloth and into the heavens, the blessings are released to assist those who hang the flags and to benefit all beings. In 800 C.E. (current era) Buddhism was first introduced to Tibet by Padmasambhava. Until that time most Tibetans followed the Bon religion, a shamanistic practice. Bon Shaman had been making and hanging flags in the five colors, representing the five elements, believing they would offer protection. As Buddhism blended with Bon, sacred mantras and iconographies were painted onto the Bon's flags, thus creating the beginnings of what are known today as Tibetan prayer flags. Atisha arrived to teach Buddhism to Tibetans in 1040 C.E. bringing with him the Indian Victory Banner and prayer flags gained more popularity. Tibetan prayer flags are a synthesis of the Bon's elemental flags and the Indian Buddhist's dharma.Prayer flags are gentle reminders, bringing us back to our essence and helping us to open our hearts and minds. When we hang prayer flags, we create the intention for more kindness for ourselves and all beings. As they wave in the wind, prayer flags lift up and carry our wishes for compassion, peace and healing around the earth. Prayer flags encourage us to live more mindfully and help us to restore our own inner calm. A more peaceful world still must begin in each of us, one open heart at a time.It is a sign of respect to keep them off of the ground or floor and to have clear, beneficial intentions as they are being hung. The cloth frays and the printed images fade as they are released to the wind and the heavens. When they are well worn they are often burned, to release the last expression of prayer. It is also common to see old, tattered flags side by side with new ones, left to the elements.Wind is the natural element of the horse. As it gallops across the plain the wind arises to meet it, its long tail and mane flowing freely as it speeds through the stillness of the air, creating wind. Both the wind and the horse are natural vehicles of movement, the horse carrying material form and the wind ethereal form. Prayers are carried on the wind, and in Tibet the prayer flag is known as the Windhorse, Lung Ta, in Tibetan.
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