I recently came across some old slides of a pilgrimage I took to Bhutan in 1991. I had them scanned and picked out a few to share with you. According to the rules of Bhutanese visas at that time, I was supposed to be traveling with a group. I missed some connecting flights and by the time I arrived in Thimpu, the capitol, my group was long gone. I convinced the visa officer that my group was waiting for me (they weren't) and I was able to travel pretty much on my own. I spent a week in Thimpu procuring the necessary permits; a separate permit for each place I wanted to visit and then spent several weeks traveling from one pilgrimage site or monastery to another. I found Bhutan to be a sacred land, almost untouched by the modern world. At least it was 30 years ago.
Timothy Clark
(Owner of Radiant Heart Studios)
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Taken at a high mountain pass surrounded by prayer flags, this has to be the coolest photo I have of myself. Actually, I had a throbbing headache and nausea from the high altitude most of the time I was in Bhutan, but you can't tell that from the photo.
I wore a "gho" the whole time I was there. By law, Bhutanese men had to wear the traditional knee length robe. It's worn with a hand woven belt and knee high plaid socks.
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Bhutanese Stye Prayer Flags |
Although Tibetan style vertical prayer flags with 5 color streamers are used in Bhutan, the Bhutanese tend to use fewer streamers and most of their pole flags are solid colors with no streamers at all. The beautiful photo to the right (one I purchased online) is of a Himalayan mountain lake in Bhutan with a display of Bhutanese style prayer flags.Besides the traditional 5 colors (blue,white, red, green and yellow), other colors, like orange, and purple are also used. |
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The flags are hemmed on all four sides. The pole side (poles not included) has both a sleeve and ties. They are available singley in individual colors or as sets of 5 colors.
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Bhutanese architecture is unique. They use an incredible amount of lumber in their structures. Fortunately the Bhutanese government seems to manage their forests well and I didn't see any signs for deforestation caused by over-harvesting. There were, however, areas where bark beetles were killing trees. As an architect, I was particularly interested in not only their ornate colorful temples but also in their domestic architecture. |
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One day while walking in Bumthang, I saw in the distance a large new house being built. As I approached, I could see a flag pole with a strange prayer flag attached. I'd been collecting prayer flags for 20 years and had never come across this particular unique design. After finally finding the house's owner, I learned that in Bhutan, people often display these flags when building new houses. Neighbors' jealousy and gossip can cause obstacles and financial difficulties during construction. I asked the owner where I might get one of these flags. He told me that if I returned to his house in a few days he would give me one. I found out later that he walked all day to a monastery in the mountains where the flags are printed. He spent the night at the monastery and another whole day walking back to his house. He would accept no payment for his effort. The original flag, printed from a wood block, was not very clear. I redrew it, and Lama Dawa Chhodak checked the accuracy of the text. We now print Mig-Thong (Thousand Eyes) prayer flags that reverse negative energy (Mikha) from jealous neighbors. |
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I purchased about 30 of the Nyingma Lineage Flag, printed in Taiwan, several years ago. I forgot about them until I came across them in my warehouse a few weeks ago. They are quite large and are made of polyester/nylon. They are hemmed on all for sides and the image is visible from both sides. There's a sleeve for a pole on one edge with ties at top and bottom.
The Nyingma School is the oldest sect of Tibetan Buddhism founded by Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) in the 8th Century, but it's Dzogchen teachings trace back to Garab Dorje who received them directly from the primordial Buddha Samantabhadra. If you're interested in learning more about the Nyingma Lineage, there is a lot of information on the internet. According to The Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols by Robert Beer, this emblem was painted on the wall of Samye Monastery by the great Sakya master, Sakya Pandita (1182-1251).
Size: 56"x 36"
Price: $14
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This month the Nagas are busy making their clothing. It is their season for dressing. If you make offerings to them on teb days, you will never suffer from the lack of food and clothes. Whatever they are getting, you will also get. However, if you make offerings to them on a dok day, even if you offer very precious things, they will be too busy to attend. There will be no result.
Most of the days of the eighth lunar month are auspicious for making offerings. In particular, October 3 (Medicine Buddha day), 9 (full moon), and 24 (Dharmapala day) are best. The days to especially avoid are October 5 (Guru day) and the 13.
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We appreciate feedback from our customers; encouragement ,suggestions and constructive criticism. We also enjoy getting photos of prayer flags on display, especially ones you got from us.
Email us at: prayerflags1@gmail.com
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