Today’s Warm Up In the chapter “Latecomers” (p.93), we learn about the puja blessing ceremony and prayer flags. Write a paragraph describing this ceremony and the significance of prayer flags. Include information about the colors and the purpose of the ceremony. Based on what you stated was your “Everest”, what would you include on your prayer flag if you had to create one?

Tibetan Buddhist Prayer Flags

History Originally used during healing ceremonies before Buddhism came to Tibet The colors represent the elements of nature and were meant to harmonize/balance those elements in the sick person’s body Buddhism adopted this tradition and it continues today

Using a Prayer Flag Celebrations New beginnings Funerals During times of difficulty Where? → Usually outside where the wind can blow them around

'When raising prayer flags proper motivation is important 'When raising prayer flags proper motivation is important. If they are put up with the attitude "I will benefit from doing this" – that is an ego-centered motivation and the benefits will be small and narrow. If the attitude is "May all beings everywhere receive benefit and find happiness," the virtue generated by such motivation greatly increases the power of the prayers.' (Clark T., The Prayer Flag Tradition, www.prayerflags.com)

Prayer Flags Video http://youtu.be/_mgLQVK4DCQ

What makes a prayer flag? FABRIC – usually made of cotton, silk, or other natural material INK – originally natural dyes, hand-painted, now likely to be machine printed and mass produced WORDS – mantras, prayers, or sayings by the Dalai Lama

Colors & Symbols Symbols: Colors: HORSE = Energy TIGER = Confidence LION = Joy DRAGON = Power UMBRELLA = Safety FISH = Wisdom VASE = Success FLOWER = Purity Colors: RED = FIRE GREEN = WATER YELLOW = EARTH BLUE = SPACE/SKY WHITE = AIR/WIND

Create your own! Front side: decorate your own prayer flag, using colors, symbols, and words Back side: explain all colors, symbols, and words that you use.

Your Prayer Flag: 5 pts Front Name Symbol Mantra Back Explain why you chose the color flag that you did. Explain why you drew the symbol you did. Explain what you colored that symbol the color you did. Complete sentences Colored Flag