Tibetan Buddhist Prayer Flags
tibetan buddhist prayer flags
Tibetan Prayer Flags - Buddhist prayer flags in Ladhak
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Large Cotton Tibetan Buddhist Prayer Flags Wind Horses Nepal |  |
0 Bid | US $5.52 | 15h 22m |
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Mini Cotton Tibetan Buddhist Prayer Flags Wind Horses Nepal | |
1 Bid | US $1.90 | 15h 22m |
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100x 82 inch Tibetan Buddhist COTTON PRAYER FLAGS Hand Made in Nepal | |
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US $25.27 | 20h 43m |
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Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags Wind Horse 10 Pieces of flags | |
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US $10.00 | 1d 3h 37m |
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Mini Tibetan Buddhist Windhorse PRAYER FLAGS OM MANI MANTRA Hand stamped Nepal | |
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US $8.95 | 2d 1h 13m |
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25 Tibetan Buddhist Prayer Flags w Dorje Tara Nepal | |
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US $14.00 | 2d 6h 5m |
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50 Small Tibetan Buddhist Prayer Flags Windhorse Handstamped in Nepal | |
2 Bids | US $12.50 | 2d 6h 5m |
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LARGE TIBETAN BUDDHIST PRAYER FLAGS IN ENGLISH 25 FLAGS SET VARIOUS DESIGNS | |
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US $15.00 | 2d 7h 4m |
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PF54 Lot of 5 Tibetan Buddhist Dalai Lama English Mantra 72 prayer flags Nepal | |
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US $21.99 | 2d 14h 58m |
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25 Tibetan Buddhist Prayer Flags Green Tara Buddha Handstamped in Nepal | |
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US $14.00 | 3d 6h 57m |
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If Buddhism is an Atheist Religion, What Do Buddhists Pray To?
Many devout Buddhists make pilgrimages to the place where the Buddha achieved enlightenment, and to the place where he died--they pray there.
I once went with friend to a huge ceremony at a Buddhist temple in Southern California where I saw thousands of Buddhists praying on their knees before incense, before statues, before shrines, all over the place praying.
In the town that I live in, there is a thriving community of Tibetan Buddhists. Many have prayer flags adorning their homes.
If Buddhists have no God, & Buddhism is an atheist religion, who are Buddhists praying to? Thanks for your thoughts!
Yes, I know Buddhists meditate. But, many Buddhists also pray in addition to meditation. I have seen it. Buddhist prayer is what I am asking about. Thanks!
Good afternoon Sugnim
The concept of prayer in Buddhism is greatly misunderstood among non-Buddhists. It is best understood if one were to read some of the prayers in Buddhist sadhanas. They are not prayers for material gain but are said more for creating a mindset for the day when recited in the morning and as a means of regretting any unskillful (non-virtuous) actions at the end of the day. "Buddhist prayer is a practice to awaken our inherent inner capacities of strength, compassion and wisdom rather than to petition external forces based on fear, idolizing, and worldly and/or heavenly gain. Buddhist prayer is a form of meditation; it is a practice of inner reconditioning. Buddhist prayer replaces the negative with the virtuous and points us to the blessings of Life." (from http://www.experiencefestival.com/buddhist_prayer )
One of the most beautiful "prayers" (in my opinion) is the following from Sutta Nipata I.8 Karaniya Metta Sutta:
By the power and the truth of this practice,
may all beings have happiness,
and the causes of happiness.
May all be free from sorrow,
and the causes of sorrow.
May all never be separated
from the sacred happiness which is sorrowless.
And may all live in equanimity,
without too much attachment
and too much aversion,
And live believing
in the equality of all that lives.
May all beings be filled with joy and peace.
May all beings everywhere,
The strong and the weak,
The great and the small,
The mean and the powerful,
The short and the long,
the subtle and the gross:
May all beings everywhere,
Seen and unseen,
Dwelling far off or nearby,
Being or waiting to become:
May all be filled with lasting joy.
Let no one deceive another,
Let no one anywhere despise another,
Let no one out of anger or resentment
Wish suffering on anyone at all.
Just as a mother with her own life
Protects her child, her only child, from harm,
So within yourself let grow
A boundless love for all creatures.
Let your love flow outward
through the universe,
To its height, its depth, its broad extent,
A limitless love, without hatred or enmity.
Then as you stand or walk,
Sit or lie down,
As long as you are awake,
Strive for this with a one-pointed mind;
Your life will bring heaven to earth.
The concept of deities (not "gods" as in the Abrahamic traditions) in Buddhism is another misunderstanding of non-Buddhists. Each of the deities represents an attribute which we aspire to emulate in our life. We use them as meditation aids. "In Buddhism, the deities perform different types of functions for the practitioner. They may be a focus or aid to individual meditation and transformation, in which case they are called yidams, or they may function as a protector of the dharma and/or of an entire class of being. It is important to understand that the precise meaning varies according to the view of a particular school and/or lineage. In all cases, deities are understood as means for liberation and the enlightenment of all. For example, although a female deity such as Ushnishavijaya is known as a bestower of longevity, her purpose is not simply as a personal protector, but as a way to liberate numberless individuals via the extended life of just one…. In a 1982 interview, HH Dalai Lama was asked about Westerners' possible difficulties relating to deity practice: 'Some say that . . . symbols and deities should be altered so as to correspond with those of our own culture.' His response: 'This cannot be. If you follow Buddha-dharma, the deities meditated upon should have a sound reference to the teachings of Buddha Vajradhara. They cannot be arbitrarily created nor can they be blended with those of other methods. It is best to follow with diligence the path most suited to you. If you choose Buddhadharma, practise it purely. Then, if you achieve its results, fine; if you mix practices and achieve nothing, you shouldn't blame Dharma. Of the various Buddhist meditational deities, the best is Buddha. If you like others, practice them; if you don’t, simply take Buddha.'" (from http://www.khandro.net/deities.htm )
As to seeing kneeling or prostrating in front of a Buddhist rupa (statue) it is a sign of respect, humility, and acceptance of the Buddha's teachings (the Dharma). Just as Catholics genuflect in front of their altar or Muslims bow to Mecca in their practices, we Buddhist kneel or prostrate in front of a Buddha as a sign relinquishing our pride in deference to the Dharma. The rupa is nothing more than a reminder of the Teacher (the Buddha) and he denied being a god in any sense of the word. In fact the term "buddha" merely means "the awakened one". We do not worship the statue—that would be idolatry and contrary to the Buddha's teachings—just as we do not worship the Buddha but venerate and honor him and, more importantly, his teachings.
I hope this clarifies any misconceptions.
May all be at peace.
tibetan buddhist prayer flags
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Prayer Flags; Set of Five Mixed Diety; Tibetan $12.00 Tibetan prayer flags are said to promote good fortune and to dispel danger. In Tibet they are traditionally placed around auspicious places such as temples, stupas, mountain tops and passes, as well as above homes and fields. The flag sends messages of peace on the wind to all beings. As well as the prayers, the flags include powerful images of Snow Lions, Milarepa, Tara, etc. The five flag colo... |