BUDDHIST PRAYER FLAG

BUDDHIST PRAYER FLAGS

Prayer flag is a colorful cloth that are used to bless the surrounding, for peace and for many other purposes. It is usually found strung along the mountain ridges and high peaks.

Legend ascribes the origin of the prayer flag to the Gautam Buddha. Whose prayers were written on battle flags used by the DEVAS against ASURAS. Legend may have given the Indian BIKKU a reason for carrying heavenly banner as a way of signifying their commitment to peace and Non-violence. This knowledge was carried into the Tibet by 800 CE and were further modified. Tibetian prayer flags were originally used as talismans to protect people during wars. Originally the Bon people used prayer flags for protection.

LUNGTA PRAYER FLAGS :- (Horizontal flags)

LUNG means WIND.

TA means HORSE.

Lungta prayer flags are square or rectangular shaped and are connected along their top edges to long string or thread and are commonly hung at high places such as; top of stupas , monasteries ,mountain passes etc…

DARCHOG PRAYER FLAGS:- (Vertical flags)

FLAGSTAFF

Darchog prayer flags are large, single and rectangular shaped which are attached to poles along their vertical edge. These flags are commonly planted on ground, rooftop and monasteries.

Prayer flags has set of 5 colours (from left to right); BLUE, WHITE, RED, GREEN and YELLOW. Each colour represents the elements. BLUE represents  SKY ,WHITE  represents AIR,RED represents  FIRE,GREEN represents WATER  and YELLOW represents  EARTH. And also denotes the 5 directions that is north, south, east, west and centre.

Centre of prayer flags traditionally features a Lung ta, bearing three flaming jewels on its back, Horse is the symbol of speed and capable of transforming bad fortune into good fortune. The three flaming jewels symbolize The BUDDHA, DHARMA (Buddha teachings) and SANGHA (Buddhist community). Surrounding the central lung ta there are various and numerous traditional mantras, each dedicated to particular deity. These writings includes mantras from three of the great Buddhist Bodhistavas; PADMASAMBHAVA (GURU RINPOCHE), AVALOKITAVARA (CHENREZIG) and MANJUSRI. Along with mantras and centrally featuring lung ta there are images of 4 powerful animals a.k.a the four Dignities that gives an attractive look to flag. The DRAGON, GARUDA, TIGER and SNOW LION.

Prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength and wisdom. Buddhist people believe that prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. As images and mantras fades from exposure to the environment, The prayers became the permanent part of the universe and then it is replaced by the new flag alongside the old one and it symbolizes welcoming of the changes in life and acknowledgment that all beings are part of greater and ongoing cycle. Old prayer should be burned . As it contain mantras and symbols it should not be disrespected.

Hanging of prayer flags should be on a momentous occasion and on auspicious day where one can invite family and friends and hang prayer flags together. The best time to hang new flag is during morning on sunny and windy days. Old is replaced by the new one in any auspicious days or usually annually on tibetian new year.

THEMBANG-WORLD HERITAGE SITE

THEMBANG the settlement of the Monpas is a village within a fortified area measuring approximately 3.2 acres. The traditional knowledge system of the Monpas is the indicative of their consciousness in maintaining the built as well as natural heritage of their area as their traditional glory.
            The west kameng  district in which the Thembang is located, shares border with Tibet on north and Bhutan on the west has similar influence on the Socio-cultural systems in the district,including architecture that is manifest in the presence of Dzongs, a type of fortress architecture that is usually found in Bhutan and Tibet.

Thembang Dzong is located approx 55 Km north-east of township Bomdila at an altitude of 2169 m above the mean sea level.The area falls to the east of Tawang-Bomdila road and about 15 km from Munna camp.The area is surrounded with scenic beauty of green hills,steep gorges and snow clad mountain.

Since Thembang Dzong is believed to be constructed before 1100 CE, it may very well be the precursor to the more majestic Dzongs architecture of Bhutan and a pioneering case study of a fortified village in the eastern Himalayas.
                                                                     The Dzong has two gates - One at the northern side of the village fort. Northern gate measures 3.50 m by 5.00 m. While southern gate is in the nature of emergency or the emergency escape gate.The construction of the Dzong follows traditional construction system of Monpas, which includes stone masonry and wood architecture. Ornamental features include carved stone blocks, stone walls with prayers engraved,traditional wood carvings, painting and manuscripts as murals and graffiti along the houses and ancient ruins.

This picture shows the Northern gate of The Thembang Dzong.