I have a photo gallery that features Tibetan prayer flags here in West Seattle
I photograph them when I run across new ones. As I practicing Buddhist I like the idea that the Dharma flourishes here in West Seattle.
I'm always open to suggestions and tips about prayer flags I haven't stumbled across yet.
thanks,
Jerry
JetCityOrange
Ah - I read this with some sadness! Today I realized that our Tibetan prayer flags had, indeed, sent prayers for peace into the world, and were too tattered to go on, so I took them down. They have been up on our house near the West Seattle Nursery for at least a year or more. I'll see if I can find a picture to show you, but you remind me to put up more. I know I can buy them at Zamboanga, but mine were a gift from someone in India.
MrJT
Member Profile
There are some one a house on the West side of Belvidere between Hinds and Hanford.
Mr. JT, I know exactly which house you're speaking of...so we really are in the same 'hood, huh...
I have a "prayer scarf", white, delicate material, really very pretty, that a client brought me from Tibet...I treasure it..
rykrite, I have a set of prayer flags I'd be glad to share with you.
MrJT, now I have an errand as part of tomorrow's bik e ride. Thanks!
JanS, they're called kata and are given as gifts and symbols of thanks and respect. Placed by the giver around the receiver's neck.
thanks all!
Jerry Whiting
JetCityOrange@gmail.com / JetCityOrange.com/
MrJT
Member Profile
Jerry, The flags have been taken down. Replaced with hanging baskets...
wow...baskets...just not the same...
i can understand why some people might not want to have pictures of themselves or their homes on the web... but since our homes are now on googlemaps.. i suspect the illusion of privacy is just that.. an illusion.
they say a picture is worth a thousand words... i think the right picture is worth more than that:)
JetCityOrange...
as soon as i can figure out how to do so.. i will take pics of the flags over our back porch... which is our main entry... blending happily with planters and wind bells... and send them on...
rockergirl
Member Profile
I spotted some flags while checking out this WS based blog - http://thetanglednest.com/2009/06/backyard-chicken-update/
She has them hanging in the doorway of her very cute coop for her girls.
rockergirl...
thanks :)))
Yes, I've thought about the fact that I'm "outing" Buddhists and wannabe's here on this side of the bridge. Then again, hanging something on your house means you aren't overly concerned about others knowing you are a Buddhist or wannabe.
I don't put pins on a Google map, just document what I see from the street. If anyone whose flags are on my site objects, of course I'll take the photo down.
But like I said, I smile deeply when I seen Wind Horse blowing in the breeze here in my 'hood. I wanna believe somewhere someone is sitting.
BTW, I'm the black Smart Car here in WS with the "3JEWELS" license plate. Google it if you don't get it. Wikipedia knows...
Jerry
pigeonmom
Member Profile
Can one fly prayer flags in support of Tibet or just because of the way they look without being Buddhist or a poser?
I live in West Seattle and I'm a Buddhist. Is it any surprise that I take pictures of Tibetan prayer flags in my hood?
Call me idealist, call me naive. I like to think the proliferation of Wind Horse reflects the spread of the dharma in West Seattle as elsewhere. Seeing a prayer flag fluttering in the breeze makes me smile. We are not alone...
JetCityOrange...
i think there may be as many reasons to fly prayer flags as there are people flying them...
does it matter why dharma spreads?
I am not Buddhist, nor planning to become Buddhist, nor a poser. I'm a UU, and happy to be one. I love many of the Buddhist traditions, and I read the more popular Buddhist works (Thic Nat Han, Pema Chodron, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama) because they have a lot to teach.
I LOVE the idea of prayers going out to the world, and of my home being a place from which prayers are sent. To me the flags are a sign of deep spirituality, hopefulness, and compassionate wishes for mankind. It is a tradition worthy of adopting. It didn't occur to me that this might be offensive to Buddhists - I mean well...
CountingCoup
Member Profile
I love those flags, they remind me of the mountains maybe because of the Himalayan visuals that have captivated me. Buddhism is a thumbs up for me...
My apologies if some got their ass up on their shoulders about my remarks.
I just find it oddly amusing that people hang prayer flags without much thought. I don't see people hanging mezuzahs up willy nilly. BOTH are religious items containing sacred texts. But only one is hip and faddish these days.
jetcityorange..
technically speaking.. what i have hanging on my back porch are not tibetan prayer flags..
there are some who would say they are just flags...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_flags
but i didn't hang them willy nilly..
they encourage one to think of peace (red) wisdom (orange) love (yellow) happiness (green) courage (blue) and tranquility (purple) as they pass into our home.. and i would hope that they send those attributes from our home to others...
my intention was harmonious with the intent of prayer flags.. though the color sequence isn't...
i believe they still spread dharma.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma
A mezuzah is different. I wouldn't consider hanging even the facsimile of a Mezuzah on my door frame because it's purpose is different.. and i feel it would be sacrilegious of me to pretend at being someone i am not.. either by inheritance or spiritual choice.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mezuzah
I am not sharp enough this morning to come up with other religious symbols that have moved into common usage...
or to be more honest.. i am not willing to offend with those i can think of since some have a very narrow view of religion.
i have chosen wikipedia links because they provide not only the basic info... but links to source materials for those who might want to learn more about words or ideas that have been adapted into common usage.
Who knows what will spark curiosity and further understanding?
and how many people wear a cross around their neck, and aren't even close to being "christian"...and..well, I have a medal of the last deceased Pope that I wear at times, was given to me by a friend who purchased it for me in the Vatican (and supposedly blessed by him) when I was undergoing chemo a few years ago...she is Catholic, I'm not. I have a Tibetan prayer scarf displayed in my home, from the same friend - I'm not Buddhist. I also mean no disrespect. I suppose when one is undergoing chemo, one feels that every little bit helps. While not being a "religious" person myself, I also feel that religions aren't to be exclusive, but inclusive, and if it's done respectfully and with understanding, then displays such as prayer flags are a positive thing, I think.
If you happen into the alley between 59th and 60th, and about Hinds street, there are some on the back of a neighbors house on the hill (59th).
i wish more people would fly whatever version of prayer flags works for them.. or post peace signs in their window... or...
you don't need to become a war protester to protest war... in all it's forms... including war against those who don't believe the same things you do.
if we are to give peace a chance.. it has to start in our homes.
thee
Member Profile
jetcityorange,
buddhism = not a religion
prayer flags = not sacred items
thee
flag waving dharma punk
This weekend I spotted what looked liked mini-prayer flags taped to the espresso machine at Uptown Espresso in the Junction.
pigeonmom
Member Profile
Saw some kind of flags that may have been prayer flags as I was driving near 34th and Barton yesterday.
i kind of like the idea of payer flags on an Espresso machine...
go forth and do good things with this energy:)
Lisa
Member Profile
JetCityOrange - I have flags in my backyard. Want a photo?
>> JetCityOrange - I have flags in my backyard. Want a photo?
Yes, I'd love to see a photo.
JetCityOrange at gmail dot com
>> buddhism = not a religion
>> prayer flags = not sacred items
>> thee
>> flag waving dharma punk
Wikipedia, and I quote: "Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices considered by most to be a religion.."
I'm sure Noah would agree that Buddhism is a nontheistic religion.
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