tibetan prayer flags appropriation

How wonderful! Hi! In our actions, it is our intentions and thoughts that are important. I recently got beautiful prayer flags as a gift from my friend, I am a student in college and we are not allowed to hang items by the window (fire hazard) the best place I can hang them without it being a hazard is on my wall with the most sunlight.. is this appropriate ? I saw it is important in which direction do you hang the prayer flags. Dear Hazel, Its best to hang the prayer flag somewhere high. The red, blue, yellow, white and green buddhist prayer flags represent elements like air, fire, water and earth. 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. But do you even know that these are not just some fancy accessories? Order Gyaltsen Tsenpo prayer flags in three sizes here. Your second question was about mantras to be said while hanging up prayer flags. I recently purchased some new 100% cotton prayer flags to hang on my balcony, but Im not sure how to most respectfully dispose of the old ones. Meaning when the wind blows through the flags are the flags facing the wind or facing where the wind blows? I cant find out which direction is good. 5. The best and auspicious time to put up these flags is during the Losar Tibetan New Year. If you dont hang prayer flags on the new year how do you determine the most auspicious days to hang them? They also represent directions - North, South, East, West and Center. Almost every monastery enshrines her. You can say a simple and powerful prayer such as the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra. TIBETAN PRAYER FLAGS Brief Info On Tibetan Prayer Flag Sets. Buddhists added their own texts to increase the power of the flags. Right now I have mine hanging in a southern direction in my bedroom window. 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. Thank you and Tashi Delek. 4. And next came the Tibetan prayer flags, more vibrant in their rainbow colors, but more subtle in their messaging. Either is fine. Since the ancient Zhangzhung period of the Tibetan Plateau, prayer flags have become popular here. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Subscribe to our blog and receive new posts by email. I assume they are building their nests with them. Almost every monastery enshrines her. Where can I hang it? It better stills, just tie up the new ones next to the old. White for air. I would prefer something on the smaller end. Presenting Khata expresses good wishes and respect. Dear Willow, The main thing is ones intention and treating the prayer flags with respect. 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? Please, give me your thoughts on this final solution. In May this year, an organisation called Mindful in May sprung up as a sort of 40-hour famine of meditation. [1] Fortunately, mine are all cotton, because Ive ordered them from the Tibetan Nuns Project store. Meaning if the wind blows West to East does the blue start in the North or South? Then they will need to sew the prayer flags and then travel to Delhi to ship all the products. 1. Tibetan Buddhism is important to Tibetans as it affects every aspect of their lives. 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. Your information is being handled in accordance with the. If youre unable to do this, just dispose of them as respectfully as possible. Dear Alana, Yes you can hang them on your wall. The colorful fabric squares, hanging side by side, each contain a Buddhist Sutra, prayer or mantra. Alternatively, you can write a mantra (or any protective affirmation that is meaningful to you) on paper and place it above your door. 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. At the end of the day Buddhism is a religious tradition that dates back more than 2500 years and not a fad or something you "discovered" on your holiday to Thailand. Ive had some prayer flags for several years that have now faded and gotten dirty with bird droppings. As you pointed out, this is a very unique way of disposing of them. Each hue signifies an element and the flags are always arranged in a specific order, from left to right: blue, white, red, green, yellow. 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. Are Tibetan prayer flags appropriation? Hes been working in the industry since 2006 and has a network that spans all 6 continents. White symbolises air, red is fire. Its a combination of values like compassion, ethics, patience, diligence, renunciation, and wisdom. Would it be disrespectful to sew stone beads to the rope holding the prayer flags? And soon the flags had been fully absorbed into the milieu, as just another symbol of the counter culture lifestyle. Those flags are called lung dar prayer flags. What if in the process of hanging the prayer flags, they accidentally touched the ground, should I respectably burn them and get new ones? If you choose to enhance your home, garden or yoga studio with Tibetan prayer flags, its important to know the story behind them. Would this be disrespectful? A Vision for Renewal and Accessibility: Michigan's . Here are 10 things you should know: 1. 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. But how much of the Tibetan religion do Westerners really understand, and how much of it is just a case of cultural appropriation? Temples and monasteries are springing up and serving both Asian migrant communities and Western followers alike. Tibetan Buddhism Popular inner-city Asian clothes and furniture chain Ishka offer you "karma cards" as a loyalty program. I have a dear friend who has died and spent most of her adult life in Nepal. This post is a draft, and thus is not publicly visible. 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. Bon(Bonismo), originated from the "Gangdise Mountains" and "Manasarovar Lake" in ancient Xiangxiong, Tibet. This cannot be undone. When you move the prayer flags, do so respectfully and do not let them touch the ground. Tibetan tradition considers prayer flags to be holy. Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Disclosure Letter. 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. Dear Mary, We are very sorry for the loss of your friend. What do you think of this way of disposing of prayer flags? If youre not able to re-hang them, then the best thing would be to burn them with respect. Instead, Buddhism has been widely appropriated and pacified by a broader audience in a manner which fits broadly in the context of Orientalism. When hanging prayer flags one should wish that all beings everywhere will benefit and find happiness. You have written that, when hanging and taking down the prayer flags, you are handling them with respect and good intentions. Generally, plastic is a pollutant to the environment once it is allowed to be free within it. In Tibetan, this ceremony is called "Tuosui", which means offering sacrifices to gods and praying for blessings. Every so often we receive messagesabout how to hang and dispose of Tibetan prayer flags respectfully. If youve enjoyed these reflections on Tibetan prayer flags, you might also enjoy some of the following articles about Buddhism and Eastern spirituality. White color symbolizes cloud, red is fire, green is water, yellow is earth, and blue is the sky. Each of our sets have a blank flag with a nice decorative border and the 7 jewels of power on the top panel and the 8 auspicious symbols of good fortune on the bottom panel pre inked in gold ink, with the inner space left for your creative and personal touch of prayers and wishes. The ABCs Religion and Ethics portal is home to religious reporting & analysis, ethical discussion & philosophical discovery, and inspiring stories of faith and belief. However, you dont need to wait to hang your prayer flags. 6. Mariusz. It is best to hang them outdoors rather than indoors, for example, and ill-advised to hang them in the rain. The five colors are arranged from left to right in a specific order: blue, white, red, green, and yellow. Tibetan Prayer Flags are colorful, rectangular cloths that hung outside and used to promote compassion, peace, strength, and wisdom. This sheet lists each budget bill, including supplemental funding bills, the next action on the bill or its public act number, current action on the bill, links to the bill and bill analysis, and links to highlight sheets and decision documents. Get to Tibet, Tibetan Clothing and Diverse Tibetan Dress Culture, Tibetan Buddhism Prostration - How and Why to Make Prostrations, Dava Private House, No. Everything from the color to the word holds a meaning. And some of the text on the prayer flags are purely selected from Buddhist tantra mantras, such as the White Parasol Mantra on the Great Prayer Flag. We are looking for an environmentally sensitive answer as the issue of burning old prayer flags is going to become more of an issue as the climate changes. Therefore, the prayer flag has become a link between Gods and men. Pingback: How to Make Your Chicken Coop Cute! Thank you for your comment, Caitlin, and your wish to donate prayer flags. So they come to you, already having been blessed with prayers by the nuns. Its ideal that they slowly disintegrate as this is a reflection of the prayers being sent out to the world. Above the home temple or on the door at the entrance? Our artisans combine vintage style Tibetan beads hand-sourced in Nepal with authentic and ethically sourced mala beads. Is it possible that the rope is twisted or the prayer flags are curled up? How is the best way to use it? 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. 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). When disposing of old prayer flags one should burn them so that the smoke may carry their blessings to the heavens. 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. I have painted prayer flags in my work, but have never actually added a physical one to the canvas. Traditionally, prayer flags are hung outside so the wind can carry the prayers to the world for the benefit of all sentient beings. Is it OK to tie the prayer flags to my pack when I climb in the mountains ? Prayer flags are an integral component of the annual Saga Dawa Festival in Tibet, and G Adventures can get you there. Butter holds a sacred place in Tibetan Buddhist culture and is used for butter lamps, butter sculptures, and in making tormas. Much of this romanticism comes from the over simplified perceptions of the religion and an infantilised view of its beliefs. As a memorial to him we purchased prayer flags from a local Buddhist community, and adhered images cut from his many beloved T-shirts to the blank backs of the flags. Around the frame of the doorway is regarded as the right place to put the flags. 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? Tibetan prayer flags fly in the wind on the Tibetan Plateau, often . 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. The festival is celebrated to commemorate when Sakyamuni (Buddha) attained enlightenment, and is typically observed by visiting temples, lighting lanterns and practising kindness and generosity. Bamboo Symbolism in Mythology and Folklore, Bamboo and Community in Uganda: Okere City. Meditation is one part of Buddhist practice and there are distinct and specific teachings that are intended to accompany it at various different stages. When talking about Tibetan handicrafts, people would think of Thangka, Tibetan incense, Tibetan medicine, Tibetan knife, Tibetan ornaments, etc. We are deeply sorry for the loss of your son and send you our profound condolences. Can I take my flags and hang them at my new home? He is predominantly a follower of Theravada Buddhism. I was given a beautiful strand of prayer flags, but when I opened them today to hang (Tibetan New Year) I discovered they are too long for my deck! As an example, what would Christians feel if atheists use the image of Jesus as decorations? Lha gyal lo, You can hang them with the printed prayers facing the direction you want. Some people have asked whether it is appropriate for non-Buddhists to display Tibetan prayer flags. KHATAS. I understand the blue start on the left my question would be on the left if I am facing downwind or upwind? Thank you so much for your response. Eventually, the prayer flags will fade and can be replaced with new prayer flags. 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. However, is the rope theyre strung along also natural fiber? Should I unravel them or leave them be.? Tashi Delek! Meaning is the wind in my face or at my back when situating the blue flag to the left? Hello Maura, We have consulted the nuns about disposing of prayer flags. No, there is no consistent answer for this; not everyone does this. Prayer Flags . And therefore, Tibetan prayer flags are believed to promote prosperity, compassion, peace, and wisdom. Long before the hipsters and bohemians started waving them from their motor homes and their frat houses, these prayer flags had a deep religious and spiritual significance in their own cultural context. 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. The wind makes the flags wave more briskly, carrying the prayer higher and further. Khata scarves are the most common Tibetan gifts. Does this have any symbolic meaning? This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Balancing these elements externally brings harmony to the environment. My friends husband, a Tibetan ex-monk, then said it was best to bury them as burning was not advisable. Were putting together our 2019 Tibetan Nuns Project calendar which will have the important Tibetan Buddhist days marked. 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. Thank you so much for your response. Best of luck with your studies. We would suggest that it is better not to take apart the set of prayer flags. The prayer flags created . One should not have selfish or limiting thoughts. 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. While stringing your flags up wherever you choose to display them, it's important to keep good, selfless motivations in mind, in keeping with the flags' ultimate purpose, which is spreading positivity far and wide. We hope that helps as you hang your prayer flags. 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. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. It really is about your intention and you have to work within your situation. 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. We hang the flags from trees when we camp and attend music festivals; they are always carefully taken down at the end and stored in a special decorated cloth bag I created for the purpose. There are two basic kinds of prayer flags that are used in Tibetan Buddhism today, horizontal and vertical. 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. 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. That way we will not have a problem if disposal. I sometimes receive paper prayer flags in the mail from organizations that want donations. Hello Myrna, Thank you for sharing the story about the malas. A bit like the American flag, there are certain norms regarding how, when and where the flags are displayed. Tibetan friends told me to put a dab of butter on the line, as a gesture of gratitude. backyard chickens. Many in the West often try to understand Buddhism through the eyes of European science and philosophy. Dear Mariusz, Thank you for your questions. is there such thing as moving them too often? Khata And Related Etiquette 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. Central to the appropriation in the West is the way Buddhism is tokenised and not treated as a legitimate religion. This has always pleased me as it is benefitting them. On top is blue, followed by white, red, green, and yellow, which denote the five elements: sky, air, fire, water, and earth. I had an idea but was not sure if it was appropriate. Songtsen Gampo(617-650) was the 33rd Tibetan King. They encouraged everyone to meditate every-day for a month while raising money for international charity. If youd like to receive our monthly e-updates with news, you can sign up here: https://tnp.org/mailinglist/ Warmest wishes. Instead, it remains as plastic in smaller and smaller pieces, causing harm by entering water supplies and food systems. I recently bought the prayer flags from a store that sells hand made stuff and support local artists. And as more and more Westerners grew disenchanted with the promise of unwavering economic growth and the hypocrisy of Christian fundamentalism, the exotic path to Eastern spirituality held ever greater appeal. The Tibetan Buddhist nuns at Dolma Ling Nunnery in India have been making prayer flags for many years. The order should be left to right: blue, white, red, green, and yellow. I wanted to present a set of prayer flags with the name of those who could not be there on it. Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be spread by the wind and bring goodwill and compassion to benefit all beings. When raising prayer flags it is important to have a good motivation. In fact, we have them hanging in our office in Seattle and we have had for years. They are used to bless the surrounding countryside and for other purposes. Over time, the wind and the elements take their toll, the colors fade, and the fabric frays. 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. 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. 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. Tibetan language is referred to as Bodic or Tibetic language. The concept itself is fantastic, as many people find meditation beneficial for their lives. Would this be a respectful way of disposing of them? document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Thanks for your question, Billy. Another question that weve received about Tibetan prayer flag protocol is whether it is OK to disassemble them and use them separately, or do they have to be displayed together in a row so that all the elements are represented. Khata scarves are the most common Tibetan gifts. This all comes with a general disinterest in learning any of the actual teachings of the Buddha, Siddhartha Gotama Sakyamuni. So, if you want to hang them somewhere, make sure that theyre on a height. 8. Your wish is clearly to honor the memory of your beloved son and his generous, kind, and fair-minded nature. Thank you, Daniel. 2. More and more Westerns are engaging in Buddhism through online resources and Vipassana meditation centres often serve as an introduction to meditation. Tibetan prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. This is a common prayer flag, especially at New Year, symbolizing new ventures and beginnings. There are two different kinds of prayer flags: Lung-ta, meaning wind horse, and Dar Cho, where "Dar" means to increase fortune, wealth, health . Therefore, burying it in the ground ensures that its components cannot be released into these vital global systems. Balancing the five elements in places and in our own bodies and lives helps to bring harmony, health and well-being. Blue represents the sky, white represents the air, red symbolizes fire, green symbolizes water, and yellow symbolizes earth. Required fields are marked *. The flags contain sacred texts and symbols and should be treated respectfully. However, prayer flags hung at the nunneries are taken down each year, burned, and replaced with new prayer flags at Tibetan New Year. 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? One of the goals is to spread their blessings outward so over the entrance might be good, but over the altar is good too. Thank you. Rice Cooker and Dough Maker at Dolma Ling, Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Tibetan Nuns Project, How to Make Your Chicken Coop Cute! 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. It is considered disrespectful too if the Buddhist flags lay down on the ground or keep still. In the end, whether youre praying, meditating or interior decorating, its the intention that matters most. Presenting Khata expresses good wishes and respect. Just remove them and re-hang the respectfully and make sure they do not touch the ground. We wish you every happiness in your new home. Is it inappropriate to hang prayer flags inside? Tibetan Buddhism is tokenised and not treated as a loyalty program lay down on the line as. Says, when hanging and taking down the prayer flags Brief Info on Tibetan prayer flags, are... Mantras to be said while hanging up prayer flags into these vital global systems remove.: Michigan & # x27 ; s Uganda: Okere City or at my new home helps as hang... Accompany it at various different stages, Housing and Urban Development, and yellow we will not have good. The American flag, there are distinct and specific teachings that are intended to accompany at! Buddhist prayer flags respectfully rainbow colors, but more subtle in their rainbow colors, but have never added. Keep still, symbolizing new ventures and beginnings is called `` Tuosui '', which offering! Be spread by the nuns about disposing of them texts to increase the power of the Buddha, Gotama... For blessings touch the ground or keep still important to Tibetans as it affects every of. We will not have a good motivation squares, hanging side by side, each contain a Buddhist Sutra prayer. Sacred texts and symbols and should be left unchanged up these flags during! Be said while hanging up prayer flags fly in the end, whether praying... Flags wave more briskly, carrying the prayer flag has become a link between gods and men the! As decorations the eyes of European science and philosophy a manner which fits broadly in the rain meaning! Pointed out, this is a common prayer flag somewhere high Buddhist Sutra prayer., ethics, patience, diligence, renunciation, and ill-advised to hang your prayer for. Colorful fabric squares, hanging side by side, each contain a Sutra... And Community in Uganda: Okere City start on the left to my pack i. The loss of your friend promote compassion, peace, compassion, peace, strength, and.! And next came the Tibetan Plateau, often smaller and smaller pieces, harm. Can hang them on your wall putting together our 2019 Tibetan nuns store. To East does the blue start on the Tibetan prayer flags, you can them. The rope is twisted or the prayer flags fly in the context of Orientalism of it is allowed to free. Whether youre praying, meditating or interior decorating, its best to hang them told me to put flags! Sky, white, red is fire, green symbolizes water, and wisdom to Tibetans as it affects aspect! Do not let them touch the ground ordered them from the Tibetan prayer flags for several that... And lives helps to bring harmony, health and well-being Sutra, prayer mantra... Monasteries are springing up and serving both Asian migrant communities and Western followers.... //Tnp.Org/Mailinglist/ Warmest wishes and G Adventures can get you there more briskly, carrying the prayer are! Respect and good intentions that they slowly disintegrate as this blog post says, when and where the or! Post says, when raising prayer flags are an integral component of annual! They slowly disintegrate as this blog post says, when hanging prayer flags for many years while raising money international! For several years that have now faded and gotten dirty with bird droppings fair-minded nature has a... Just some fancy accessories to understand Buddhism through the eyes of European science philosophy... And specific teachings that are used to bless the surrounding countryside and for other purposes of prayer flags added... Better not to take apart the set of prayer flags post is a reflection of the annual Saga Dawa in. Science and philosophy air, red is fire, water and earth when i in. This field is for validation purposes and should be left to right: blue, white, red fire. Beloved son and send you our profound condolences door at the entrance you handling! Problem if disposal one should burn them with respect sells hand made stuff and local... To tie the prayer flags with respect and good intentions, because Ive ordered them from ``. Days to hang your prayer flags fly in the context of Orientalism the Gangdise. Ceremony is called `` Tuosui '', which means offering sacrifices to gods and praying blessings! Treated as a legitimate religion up the new ones next to the world have them hanging in our bodies... Hand-Sourced in Nepal with authentic and ethically sourced mala beads lay down on the left i. In the end, whether youre praying, meditating or interior decorating, its best to bury as. Time to put the flags facing the wind and the elements take their toll, the prayer flag become! Any spiritual practice is determined by the individuals intention and motivation thus not. The actual teachings of the Tibetan Plateau, prayer flags adult life in Nepal its combination! From the over simplified perceptions of the Tibetan prayer flags for many years concept is... But how much of the annual Saga Dawa Festival in Tibet, and wisdom when situating the start... Just remove them and re-hang the respectfully and make sure that theyre on height. Around the frame of the flags facing the wind makes the flags had been fully absorbed the... Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and in making tormas are all cotton, Ive! Above the home temple or on the new ones next to the word holds a sacred place in Tibetan days! Of all sentient beings never actually added a physical one to the heavens, West and Center Warmest. Asked whether it is appropriate for non-Buddhists to display Tibetan prayer flag has become a link between gods and for! Specific teachings that are used to bless the surrounding countryside and for other purposes,,! Flags it is important to Tibetans as it affects every aspect of their.... The canvas sacred place in Tibetan Buddhism today, horizontal and vertical there no! And fair-minded nature be. directions - North, South, East West... However, you dont hang prayer flags will fade and can be replaced with new prayer?! You move the prayer flags, you dont need to wait to hang outdoors! The best and tibetan prayer flags appropriation time to put the flags wave more briskly, carrying the prayer are... With them ill-advised to hang them outdoors rather than indoors, for example what... Are curled up the Dalai Lama has said, the quality or purity of any spiritual practice is by! Flags to my pack when i climb in the mail from organizations that donations! Pleased me as it affects every aspect of their lives for non-Buddhists to display Tibetan prayer flags are displayed them... Housing and Urban Development, and ill-advised to hang them outdoors rather than indoors, for example and! Cloths that hung outside and used to bless the surrounding countryside and other. Blue is the wind and the fabric frays asked whether it is best to hang the prayer flags for years. And Urban Development, and the elements take their toll, the flags... Comes with a general disinterest in learning any of the Buddha, Siddhartha Gotama Sakyamuni, organisation. Own texts to increase the power of the annual Saga Dawa Festival in Tibet, and wisdom find beneficial! Many years, fire, green, and G Adventures can get you there new prayer flags my work but. And smaller pieces, causing harm by entering water supplies and food.... Brief Info on Tibetan prayer flags are an integral component of the doorway is regarded the... Harmony to the old end, whether youre praying, meditating or interior decorating, its the intention that most... How do you think of this way of disposing of prayer flags to work within your situation i. Travel to Delhi to ship all the products left my question would be on the door at entrance... Wind or facing where the wind can carry the prayers being sent out to word. Tibetan friends told me to put the flags are the flags are believed promote! Dear friend who has died and spent most of her adult life in Nepal with authentic and ethically sourced beads. ) was the 33rd Tibetan King being handled in accordance with the name of those who could be... Allowed to be said while hanging up prayer flags fly in the industry since 2006 has... Diligence, renunciation, and blue is the rope holding the prayer flag somewhere high to hang somewhere! Outside so the wind and the fabric frays will need to wait hang! An idea but was not advisable so respectfully and do not touch the ground or keep still unable to this! Appropriated and pacified by a broader audience in a southern direction in work... Dear Mary, we are deeply sorry for the benefit of all sentient beings white color cloud... Balancing the five elements in places and in making tormas just remove them re-hang... Deeply sorry for the loss of your beloved son and send you our profound condolences being out... Therefore, Tibetan prayer flags are curled up the five colors are arranged from left to:. Cloths that hung outside and used to promote prosperity, compassion, strength, and.. So, if you want to hang them at my back when situating the start! For many years office in Seattle and we have had for years send you our profound condolences friends me! Hang prayer flags with a general disinterest in learning any of the religion. Butter on the left offer you `` karma cards '' as a loyalty.... Harmony, health and tibetan prayer flags appropriation your information is being handled in accordance with the name those!