Prayer flags are found wherever Tibetan Buddhism is found. As they flutter in the breeze, they use this wind to send blessings out into the world. Through many parts of the Himalaya they adorn monasteries and humble homes, chortens and bamboo flagpoles. They are tied in their hundreds and thousands to bridges, above mountain peaks, and in the courtyards of every conceivable building.
Elsewhere, they are to be found wherever exiled Tibetans live, and wherever their school of Buddhism flourishes.
The makers of the flags intend the prayers and blessings that adorn them not for their own benefit, but for the benefit of all beings.
Prayer flags in the Yumtang Valley, Sikkim, India.
Prayer flags, Observatory Hill, Darjeeling, India.
Prayer flags outside a monastery in Sikkim, India.
Prayer flags adorn a pair of chortens and walls of prayer wheels in Khumjung, Nepal.
Prayer flags at Tengboche, Nepal.
And adorning a bridge of the Dudh Khosi, again in Nepal.
Mick Canning 
This is a lovely sentiment. It reminds me of another tradition–hanging cloths on banyan tree branches.The cloths represent wishes. Here’s a post from my blog where I write about it:
https://overthehillontheyellowbrickroad.com/2017/06/13/conversation-with-a-tree-feeling-fragile/
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Yes, I’ve come across these.
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It is lovely to see beautiful pictures of something other than snow!!
I think the world could do with more blessings at the moment to be honest…
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I think the world is desperate for them. I feel I should nip outside (and brave the snow) to tie some on our tree.
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I don’t think it could hurt to be honest, the world needs all the help it can get!
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Maybe we should all do it.
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I think we should 🙂
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Its a wonderful tradition isn’t it? Slightly ethereal…. and mystical. I love it. Sadly I cant see the Brits taking up flags around the place, which is a shame. Still it makes for a pretty picture and a rather lovely story. thank you
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It is lovely, and when you are there the atmosphere is just that. And blessings are a state of mind, after all.
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They certainly are. I am really into the ” counting my blessing” stage now. It seems to be the smallest things which give me the biggest delight. Like walking to work each morning over our lovely footbridge which, so I understand, even has its own Twitter Account now. FFS!!
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I agree with completely about the smallest things often giving the greatest pleasure – things like sunny days and smiles and quiet times. Not that they are really small things.
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How beautiful! What a lovely physical expression of spirituality. 🙂
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It is, Cathleen. It feels special when you are there.
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Prayers — “God, I offer myself to thee – to build with me and do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!”
Great Spirit,
whose voice I hear in the wind,
whose breath gives life to the world,
Hear me.
I come to you as one of your many children,
I am small & weak,
I need your strength & wisdom.
May I walk in beauty.
And how my life is unmanageable.
I need to learn & remember that
I have an incurable illness & that
bstinence is the only way to deal with it.
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I remember those pray flags in the Yumthang Valley of Flowers, and I find them especially memorable now that I know I walked where you once did, a man I’ve never met in person, and yet our paths cross again and again. It’s kinda cool! And a great reminder of our connectivity as part of the human race.
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It is! Yay! I love these connections!
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A very interesting and informative post!
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Thanks, Malcolm.
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A distinct feature of the Himalayas. These days many people even have a miniature feature installed on the rear window in the car
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That happens to everything eventually, Arv. It ends up as a car ornament! Still, perhaps if the wind catches them, they may yet serve their purpose!
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Surely, Mick! I’m sure people want to carry back their good memories along with them…which explains these miniature version of flags in cars
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This is very interesting, Mick. The photographs are lovely.
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Thanks, Robbie.
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Seems like you’ve explored the whole Nepal. 🙂
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Oh, nothing like, Aditya. I’ve had a few trips, but there are still huge numbers of places I’d like to go to.
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I’ve never heard of prayer flags, but thing they’re a lovely idea!
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They are, Ann. Thank you.
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Hello, Mick! Had known about the Prayer Flags, but never about the fact that they are meant to send out Blessings to the Whole world! That is Beautiful. Thanks for Sharing. Hearty Regards. Yesudas. 🙂
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Thank you, Swami. Yes, I love that fact. It is so completely unselfish.
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Thanks for sharing it! 🙂
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You’re very welcome, Swami.
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Love the sight of the Buddhist flags fluttering in the wind. The prayer wheels are interesting too. Thanks for sharing the pictures, Mick and also for explaining the purpose that the flags are meant to serve.
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You’re welcome, Somali. The prayer wheels are meant to work in a similar way – when someone spins them, the prayers are sent out for the benefit of all.
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It’d be nice if a few more cultures were flagging out blessings in the interest of the common good, rather than “what’s in it for me”.
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Absolutely so, Dave. Unfortunately, I don’t see it coming anytime soon.
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I’m not a religious person, but I do like these. To me it’s kind of like nature – the spirit of the wind, if you will – blowing people’s wishes and taking them into consideration.
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I like the thought that they represent the power of kindness and generosity, the possibility that these things can have a gentle strength that has nothing to do with gods, but with people at their best.
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Love the tradition of prayer flags! We’ve seen them a lot in the Himalayas. And even here in Sri Lanka!
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Yes, they certainly seem to have spread from their origins in the Himalaya. I’ve seen them in many other places, too.
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