Dodgenms.typepad.com



[pic] [pic]

[pic] [pic]

[pic] [pic]

PRAYER FLAGS

Tibetan Prayer Flags are used to promote peace, compassion and wisdom. It is believed the energy of the prayers and sacred mantras on the flags are blown in the wind and will bring Joy, Happiness and good health to all who see them as well as their families, loved ones, neighbors, and all people throughout the world.

Made from colorful cloth squares in Blue, White, Red, Green and Yellow. Woodblocks are used to decorate the prayer flags with images, mantras, and prayers.

At the center of a prayer flag, there is an image of the Wind Horse. On the Four corners of each of the Prayer Flags, are images of a Garuda (large mythical bird-like creature), Dragon, Tiger, and Snow Lion which are the four sacred animals representing the Four Virtues of Wisdom, Strength, Confidence, and Joy.

Tradition tells us the Wind Horse in center of each flag will carry the blessings of love and compassion to all sentient beings through out the universe. As wind passes over the surface of the flags the air is purified and the wind energized by the Sacred Mantras that are printed on the Prayer Flags.

Many People have noticed how the prayer flags seem to quickly uplift the environment they are in and bring joy to those that see them. They really have a beautiful noticeable effect on ones surroundings.

Prayer Flags come in sets of five colors. The five colors represent the five elements and are arranged from left to right in a specific order, they are arranged starting with the blue (sky/space)on the left, white (wind/air), red (fire), green (water), and yellow (earth).

Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. The flags do not carry prayers to gods, a common misconception; rather, the Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all.

The prayers of a flag become a permanent part of the universe as the images fade from exposure to the elements. Just as life moves on and is replaced by new life, Tibetans renew their hopes for the world by continually mounting new flags alongside the old. This act symbolizes a welcoming of life's changes and an acknowledgment that all beings are part of a greater ongoing cycle.

Because the symbols and mantras on prayer flags are sacred, they should be treated with respect. They should not be placed on ground or used in clothing. Old prayer flags should be burned.

Some believe that if the flags are hung on inauspicious astrological dates, they may bring negative results for as long as they are flying. The best time to put up new prayer flags are in the mornings on sunny, windy days.

Old prayer flags are replaced with new ones annually on the Tibetan New Year.

 

[pic] [pic]

SNOW LION WIND HORSE

[pic] [pic]

DRAGON TIGER

[pic] GARUDA (mythical bird-like creature)

Name:_______________________ Due Date:__________________ Period:____________

Prayer Flag Assignment

You are going to create a prayer flag to hang in the 7th grade hall of Dodgen and promote peace, compassion, and wisdom in our environment. Your flag will hang vertically on the string, so make sure you write your prayer in the correct direction. Your flag should include a two sentence prayer written in Sanskrit and translated into English that corresponds to the element you choose (remember this is based on color). Your prayer flag must also include at least one of the images mentioned in the background information.

Two sentence sanskrit prayer ________/15

(must relate to the element you choose for your prayer flag)

English translation ________/15

Image

(must be one of the image from the background information) ________/10

TOTAL: ________/40

Name:_______________________ Due Date:__________________ Period:____________

Prayer Flag Assignment

You are going to create a prayer flag to hang in the 7th grade hall of Dodgen and promote peace, compassion, and wisdom in our environment. Your flag will hang vertically on the string, so make sure you write your prayer in the correct direction. Your flag should include a two sentence prayer written in Sanskrit and translated into English that corresponds to the element you choose (remember this is based on color). Your prayer flag must also include at least one of the images mentioned in the background information.

Two sentence sanskrit prayer ________/15

(must relate to the element you choose for your prayer flag)

English translation ________/15

Image

(must be one of the image from the background information) ________/10

TOTAL: ________/40

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download