Prayers

Prayers fly unimpeded

just beyond the reach of taxus --

soaked on a wet September afternoon --

witness to hosta bloom, 

hummingbird battles, 

walnut bombs, and

the fading of summer. 

late summer 2011

Here is some of what I’ve learned about prayer flags this week: 

A prayer flag is a colorful panel of rectangular cloth often found strung along mountain ridges and peaks high in the Himalayas.  They are used to bless the surrounding countryside and for other purposes.  

Traditionally they are woodblock-printed with texts and images.  

These flags of bright, solid colors are believed to have first flown in one Buddhist sect’s healing ceremonies.  They have since been embraced by many.  

Prayer flags are often tied to the high point of a building or nature, even mountain peaks.

Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras of the flags will be blown by the wind to spread good will and compassion into all pervading space.  

Prayer flags are flown in a specific order of five colors that many think represent the physical elements:  blue (sky/space), white (air/wind), red (fire), green (water), and yellow (earth).  

Some flags bear ‘prayers’ with one of the following wishes:  longevity, knowledge, prosperity, love, wisdom.  

Some believe that when air passes through the flags, the air is purified.  

Many believe these flags promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom.

Special prayers of long life and good fortune are offered for he or she who mounts prayer flags.  

New prayer flags are flown beside weathered and faded ones to show the renewal of life and the young standing beside the old.  

Today’s Elder Idea:  Believers hold that prayer flags bring benefit to all creation and all beings.