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About Tibet • Renowned for its vibrant culture and spiritual traditions, a remarkable civilization has flourished for more than a thousand years on the ‘roof of the world.’ With Tibet at its heart, this Buddhist civilization has grown to encompass a vast area stretching from Bhutan, Nepal, and northern India, over the Himalayas and across the high plateaus of Asia to Mongolia, Buryatia and beyond. “Tibetan Culture”. 2009. The Conservancy for Tibetan Art and Culture. Tibetanculture.org. 18 October 2011. http://tibetanculture.org/tibetan-culture/
Tibet Flag History • During the reign of the seventh-century king, SongtsenGampo, Tibet was one of the mightiest empires in Central Asia. Tibet, then, had an army of 2,860,000 men. Each regiment of the army had its own banner. The banner of Ya-ru To regiment had a pair of snow lions facing each other, that of Ya-ru Ma a snow lion standing upright, springing upwards towards the sky, and that of U-ru To a white flame against a red background. • This tradition continued until the Thirteenth Dalai Lama designed a new banner and issued a proclamation for its adoption by all the military establishments. This banner became the present Tibetan national flag.
Katmandu – the Capital City • Kathmandu is the largest city and capital of Nepal and the namesake of the Kathmandu Valley. Once thought to be the fabled and inaccessible Shangri-La. Shangri-La is an imaginary paradise on earth, especially a remote and exotic utopia.
Tibetan Monks • The lifestyle of a monk is peaceful, non-materialistic, and happy!
The Dalai Lama • His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, TenzinGyatso, is the spiritual leader of Tibet. He was born on 6 July 1935, to a farming family, in a small hamlet located in Taktser, Amdo, northeastern Tibet. At the age of two the child, who was named LhamoDhondup at that time was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, ThubtenGyatso. The Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and patron saint of Tibet. Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who have postponed their own nirvana and chosen to take rebirth in order to serve humanity. “A Brief Biography”. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Dalailama.com. 20 October 2011. http://www.dalailama.com/biography/a-brief-biography
Tibetan Prayer FlagsDefined • Are colorful flags stamped with printed prayers, used by Himalayan Buddhists who believe that its fluttering sends out the prayers in scribed on it.
What are they? • The prayer flags, called “Lung ta” or “wind-horse flags” in Tibetan, are colorful rectangular cloth often found hung in strings on the tops of temples, mountains, the roofs of the houses, etc. Buddhist scriptures or mantra are pressed on these colorful flags. Tibetan people believe that scriptures or mantra on the flags will create an offering or prayer and the wind will distribute it to the world every time it brushes against the flag. “Ancient Chinese Culture, Tibetan Prayer Flags”. 14 October 2011. Chinaancient.com. http://www.chinancient.com/tibetan-prayer-flags/
History • In Tibet, there spread many beautiful legends regarding the origin of the prayer flags. Among them, the most popular one goes that, once upon a time, Buddha was thinking deeply with his eyes closed. Suddenly, the scriptures on Buddha’s hands were broken into pieces by a strong wind and carried by the wind to all corners of the world. All the people who got the fragment of scriptures also got happiness. Therefore, people made prayer flags to thank the Buddha’s gifts, hoping to get peace, long life, prosperity, happiness, etc.
Colors and Meanings • Traditional Tibetan Prayer Flags feature five colors, representing the five elements. Their order is strictly followed from left to right or top to bottom: • Blue • White • Red • Green • Red
SymbolsThe Eight Auspicious Symbols • The Parasol- which protects from all evil • The Golden Fish – representinghappiness and beings saved fromthe sea of suffering • The Treasure Vase – sign of fulfillmentof spiritual and material wishes
Symbols (cont) • The Lotus- symbol of purity and spiritual unfoldment • The Conch Shell – proclaims the teachings of the enlightened ones • The Endless Knot- symbolizingmeditative mind and infiniteknowledge of the Buddha
Symbols (cont.) • The Victory Banner – symbolizesthe victory of wisdom overignorance and the overcomingof obstacles • The Dharma Wheel– symbol of spiritual and universal law
Good Fortune Symbols • Peace Om • Gratitude Labrynth
Ancient Chinese Symbols • Rat – leaders, conquerors, charismatic, full of passion; organized, tactful, systematic. • Ox – wealth and prosperity. Hard working and stubborn. Admires power and possession. Slow at making decisions, but once made, cannot be persuaded otherwise. • Tiger – king of all animals. Attractive, persuasive. They like mysteries, fairy tales, and stories about courage and love. They are adventurers. They like surprises and are risk takers.
Ancient Chinese Symbols (cont.) • Rabbit – Attracters or good fortune and luck. Peaceful nature. Problem solvers. Like cultural activities and the arts. Dislikes fighting and aggressive behaviors. Dare not risk takers. • Dragon – Symbolizes strength, health, harmony and intellectuality. Sometimes considered extremely lucky and blessed. Charismatic and gifted with great powers. Self-confident, honest, and a sense of duty. • Snake – Considered wise. Deep thinker, philosopher, magician, or leader of a back scene. Excellent communicators.
Ancient Chinese Symbols (cont.)( • Horse – Symbolizes freedom. Self confident and determined to succeed. Honest and genuine with others and can have a lot of friends. Often get good advice from a Horse. They can be brave, yet sensitive. • Sheep – Tend to be artistic. Often caring and will think before they act. Sometimes considered shy. Well mannered and can support their opinions. Sometimes insecure and need to feel loved and protected.
Ancient Chinese Symbols (cont.) • Monkey – Very flexible. Inventive, scientific, artists or entertainers. Creativeness sometimes equates to genius later. Take control of situations and reliable. Can keep secrets. • Rooster - The tenth sign and considered a lucky number in Chinese culture. Thus, they tend to be fortunate and successful with their observations. Courageous, brave and has an independent spirit. Can be pretentious, obsessed and self absorbed. Social and likes to meet new people and be the center of attention.
Ancient Chinese Symbols (cont.) 11. Dog – loyal and trusted. Can accomplish all kinds of difficult tasks. Take care of outer appearance. Are patient with others. They understand situations, provide smart solutions, and will do anything to help others. Easily attracts friends. 12. Pig – Good fortune, and honest, achieve happiness. Are patient. Prefer to work behind the scene. Peaceful and like nature. They prefer the country side instead of a big city.
If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the World.
