HAPPY NEW YEARS...

Tashi Delek! Good Fortunes and Happiness,

When I was up in Portland, I had the chance to meet a Tibetan by the name of Jampa Nyendak Lathsang.. I have kind of been following the Dali Lama and generally find his views and a lot of eastern views, refreshing compared to that of western "red" states way of thinking. Anyway.. Kalie has recently become involved with Students for a Free Tibet, so when Laura told me of a Tibetan Gift Shop, I knew I had to go. I did find some great gifts for Kalie, and I came home with a really nice knit beanie from Nepal and these New Years Prayer Flags...

Well.. I had a nice New Years Eve and dinner with the Tebo family. Greg, Julie, and the kids, Samantha, Dustin, and Annie, and Greg's Dad, and Mom. These are my old neighbors in Oxnard Shores, and even though my kids still live aboout ten minutes from them, they rarely get together. But, for some reason we always seem to make it on New Years and the Fourth of July??? It was great to see everyone. But, I cut out about 10:00 to beat the drunks and the cops, went home and probably fell asleep around 11:00. So... I guess I woke up this New Years Day, feeling a little lonely, and sad. Yes, I still have my cat, Clyde, but he really doesn't like to be touched on the paws, ouch! Then I remembered the prayer flags...

Not really knowing what the proper rituals are, I just figured I would go ahead and wing it.. So I put on my Tibetan Incantations CD, another cool gift from JNL Tibetan Gift Shop. I didn't have any incense but, I like the smell burning sage better anyway, and hung up the flags in pretty much to only place they would fit in my humble abode. So, I am going to take about fifteen minutes right now, and mediatate to the rain and music.. You can do the same if you would like...

Ok.. I made a little tea, and I'm back. I hope you had a good meditation! So, anyway the prayer flags hang directy above my couch, and below my favorite surfboard, so that's probably a good thing? Hmmm.. the music has switched to some mellow Hawaiian music but, that's another culture I can relate to just fine, so I think I'll let it play...

The flags are up and flying... now what???



The flags from left to right are in a sequence of Blue for Sky, White for Cloud, Red for Fire, Green for Water, Yellow for Earth. Then, repeating again two more times, with a Special Blank Turquoise Flag on the very end. More on that one later. On each flag the line in Tibetan says, "Wish you a very Happy New Year"

Now the first thing to consider is, this is not the Tibetan New Year! Opps.. Secondly, there are days when you "should not" hang prayer flags. Fortunatly, this is not one of them. Another good thing for do it yourself prayer flag hangers, is the offering ends with the practitioners asking the deities to forgive them for any mistakes in the performance of the ritual, such as improperly or incompletely reciting the words of the text. So that's helpful also when you are winging it...

First New Years Flag, Blue with White Ink
The first flag has "Tagye Bhumsug" It is the 8 Tibetan auspicious symbols in "Bhumpa" The Great Treasure Vase. It stands for prosperity, luck and harmony. At the sides are the "7 Jewels of Royal Power" symbols in circular border, forming a V shape. Below the artwork is short prayer...

"May each day come unveil new reasons to explore many a brighter horizon, and the various joys of life"

Second New Years Flag, White with Black Ink
The second flag has "Doyon Nyenga" The Five Qualities of Enjoyment represent characteristics which, when they come into contact with our senses, give rise to craving.

1. Mirror is a symbol for visual form,
2. Lute for sound,
3. Incense Burner - for smell,
4. Fruit for taste and
5. Silk for touch.

In offering these qualities, one meditates on their nature and the intention of abandoning craving. It symbolizes the fulfillment of all wishes, brings happiness, prosperity and good fortune. At the sides are the 7 jewels of royal power symbols in circular border, forming a V shape. Below the artwork is short prayer and wish...

"May this New Years be of possibilities as endless as the sky... and a chance to meet new challenges in everything you try"

Third New Years Flag, Red with Gold Ink
The flag contains 2 horses facing each other with the flaming jewel in the center. The horses represent transformation of misfortune to good fortune, from baleful portents to auspicious signs and from poverty to prosperity. The "flaming jewel" symbolizes wealth and unfolding power and possibility. Below the art work is a very short prayer and wish, which reads...

"Wishing you a very happy and prosperous New Year (LOSAR) and may your luck and fortune prosper."

Fourth New Years Flag, Green with White Ink
The fourth flag also has... "Tagye Bhumsug" and the 7 Jewels of Royal Power Symbols. It is similar to the 1st Flag but the wishes and prayers are different...

"Hope this New Year brings the brightest moments for you, along with peace, contentment, and the best of everything, to last the whole year through"

Fifth New Year Flag, Yellow with Black Ink
The fifth flag like the second has "Doyon Nyenga" The Five Qualities of Enjoyment represent characteristics which, when they come into contact with our senses, give rise to craving. It is simalar to the second flag with this different prayer and wish...

"Just like the petals of a beautiful flower, may special joys of contentment unfold for you, day after day, not only at New Years, but always"

The Last New Years Flag... Turquoise with Silver Ink
The flag contains the 4 dignities in the four corners. The tiger roams in the forest and symbolizes the "wood" or "air" element (in a sense a dynamic energy that makes a tree grow). The snow lion ranges on the mountains and symbolizes the "earth" element. The garuda (khyung) soars high in the sky with flames emanating from its horns symbolizing the "fire" element. The dragon as per legends lives in the sea and symbolizes the "water" element.

The last flag is a special blank flag to be filled with your own prayers and wishes for the New Year.. Here is mine...

"May we all be blessed with childrens eyes.. to see the beauty, wonder, and amazement, occuring in our everday lives. Free of judgement, and open to all the possibilities of the world"

If you would like to leave your own wishes or prayers in the comments, that would be awesome... Otherwise, everyone have a great new year!!!

don...

If you would like to learn more about the 7 Jewels of Royal Power, or why I didn't have to take my Flags down check out:

History of Tibetan Prayer Flags