Tibet is famous for its towering peaks, Buddhist monasteries, and the caring and genuine nature of Tibetan natives. One of Tibet’s most famous sites is Mt. Everest, which is shared with neighboring Nepal. Tibet’s other much larger neighbor is southwest China, a country that continues to have a direct and lingering impact on Tibet to this very day. But before China’s invasion of Tibet in the 1950s and the ensuing exile of its people, Tibet was a peaceful country with a focus on honoring the earth and showering one another with blessings.
Before Buddhism was introduced in the 7th century, the Tibetan people practiced a form of earth-based spirituality. One ritual to worship nature deities involved stringing up colored flags high in the sky and asking the wind to carry blessings to anyone who passed underneath. Each flag was associated with a prayer and color to represent 1 of the 5 elements: yellow invoked earth, green spoke to water, red called on fire, blue symbolized sky, and white represented air. It was common to see Tibetan Prayer Flags in any number of locations, but the outside of doorways, between tall trees, or dangling between entire mountain passes were just a few of the preferred spots to see these sacred flags dancing in the breeze.
When Buddhism was introduced in the 800s, Buddhist monks incorporated prayer flags into their rituals, and soon began attaching Buddhist mantras, symbols, images, and blessings to these flags. Even today, Tibetan Prayer Flags continue to evolve as contemporary Buddhists assimilate into various cultures and incorporate their own spiritual practices into the use of these banners. Prayer Flags live outside as a part of nature. When they eventually fade and fray from the elements, we are told to embrace decay and death as a part of the natural cycle of life.
Tibetan Prayer flags still fly today throughout areas of Tibet and around the homes of those who believe in the power of this spiritual practice, but the image of the flag has also taken on a new significance. The flag serves as a reminder of Tibetans who were murdered or forced to take refuge during China’s brutal and deadly occupation. To fly a Tibetan Prayer Flag is to recognize a culture that has undergone deep suffering, while at the same time honoring the depth and unity of Man and Earth in Buddhist spirituality.
Comments