Tibetan Nuns Project
About Prayer flag
A prayer flag is a colorful rectangular cloth, often found strung along trails and peaks high in the Himalayas. They are used to bless the surrounding countryside and for other purposes. Prayer flags are believed to have originated with Bon. In Bon, shamanistic Bonpo used primary-colored plain flags in Tibet. Traditional prayer flags include woodblock-printed text and images.
The Detail History of Prayer Flags
The hoisting of flags to ensure good fortune is one of the many customs within the nomadic communities of Tibet that have changed very little for several thousand years. However, the meaning of this ritual has gradually evolved from being of militaristic to religious significance.
Origin of Prayer Flags
That the original use of flags in Tibet was militaristic is illustrated by the term Ru-dar or banner. Ru refers to the gathering of nomads before moving .
Tibetan Buddhist Prayer flags
Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags and banners bear auspicious Buddhist symbols, deities and protectors, invocations, prayers and other mantras. Tibetan Buddhists for centuries have been hoisting prayer flags with a very strong devotion and belief that the sacred flags thus hoisted will bring the hoister and those in vicinity good fortune, happiness, peace, good health, long life, and prosperity.
Prayer flags are generally hoisted on high places like hilltops, mountains, roof, and outside of a house. .
Doleshwor Mahadev: The forgotten Head of Kedarnath
After a treacherous trip up the mountains, Bhimsen, one of the five Pandavas spotted a gigantic looking bull in a distance which he knew was Shiva in disguise. Bhimsen known for his brute strength, forcefully caught the bull. When the bull was caught, he tried to escape but unfortunately, the bull was torn into several parts because of Bhimsen’s strength.
Mahabharata, the Sanskrit epic depicts the struggle for power and conflict between two groups of .
The Stupas of Kathmandu valley – History & splendor
The stupas of Kathmandu valley are unique in their architecture and cultural relevance. They are a feat of intricate craftsmanship and artistry. From the domes, to the pillar bearing an umbrella to the beautiful doorways and the wisdom eyes (painted on most stupas in Nepal) all portray exemplary techniques.
Stupas not only remind us of the splendor of the art and architecture of the past, they also have great religious and spiritual significance in .
Representation of Dragons in Tibetan Culture
Tibet has the largest tradition of Dragon which dates back more than 7000 years. Dragons are not just mythical stories or just some curiosities. They are part of Tibetan life and culture. The symbols of dragons are everywhere from the beginning of Tibetan history and the importance is still up until today.
In Tibet, Dragon is considered as one of the dignities. There is a total of four dignities. Tiger, snow lion, and the Garuda .
Tibetan Calendar and Festivals
There are different Tibetan Festivals which are celebrated in Tibet. Tibet is rich in culture and tradition. All people enjoy festivals together to maintain harmony and love among one another.
Buddhist Calendar in South Asia
The Buddhist calendar is a set of lunisolar calendars primarily used in mainland Southeast Asian countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand as well as in Sri Lanka for religious and official occasions.
While the calendars share a common lineage, they also .
6 Places to Buy Thangka and Mandala Paintings Online
This article compares the top websites that are providing Thangka and Mandala Paintings Online. The article will compare the websites on the basis of price, quality, place where the painting is painted, artist, etc by providing detailed information about the websites vision, mission, and goals.
What are the best websites to buy Thangka and Mandala online?
Thangka and Mandala is a traditional and religious art used for meditation, decoration, to pray and so on. Thangka is a Tibetan Buddhist painting .
Windhorse and the Four Dignities
The Flying Horse is the carrier of prayers and blessings of the prayer flags to the universe for the benefit of all sentient beings. Prayer flags with the Windhorse at the center symbolize victory over obstacles and quick and easy accomplishment of all positive works. The four dignities are ancient symbols that represent qualities of the Windhorse.
The Four Dignities
Garuda
Dragon
Snow Lion
Tiger
Garuda
The snake eating Garuda is believed to keep away all the .
Buddhist Ritual Items and Symbols
Buddhism is one of the most established world religions that history has ever seen. Over the great expanse of time, it has quietly established its own set of symbolisms – symbols that are as old as time itself. This is only but natural with all the religions of the civilized world. And as such, many of these Buddhist religious symbols are considered recognizable icons of Buddhist Art and Tibetan Art. The more prominent symbols .
Manjushree, the God and the temples
Manjushree - "God of Divine Wisdom" whose worship confers mastery of the Dharma, retentive memory, mental perfection, and eloquence.
He is one of the forms of Bodhistawas and symbolizes the wisdom. Manjushree is considered as the founder of Nepalese civilization and the creator of Kathmandu Valley. According to the tradition, he was a Chinese Saint.
His intuition told him of the blue flame (symbolizing Adibuddha or Swayamnhu) on a lotus in the big lake of Nepal. His purpose to .