Fire Offering & Other Fantastic Events

Ven.Hai Tao visits Butterworth at Palme Gon Buddhist Association,Bagan Lallang,Butterworth on 12.8.2010.

2010-07-25T04:51:00.000-05:00

120th. Anniversary Celebration at Taiping Bodhi Langkaram Buddhist Association, 13 , Jalan Muzaffar Shah , Taiping.

2009-07-20T08:49:00.000-05:00

All-Night Chanting : Light A Lamp

To culminate our 120 years celebration , we will be having an ALL-NIGHT CHANTING BLESSING ceremony

on Saturday Night, the 5th. of September through to the following morning whixh will be conducted by more than

20 monks from Sri Lanka .

This will provide a rare opportunity for you to light an oil lamp to support this event and to receive blessings for

the well-being of yourselves , your family and friends and to transfer merit to the departed. We welcome you to

light an oil lamp and/or make a personal donation towards this event.

A Brief History of the Temple

When a Sinhalese gentleman, Mr. A.A. Gelis de Alwis, was brought by the British to Malaya in 1888 to help set up a printing press, the quiet little town of Taiping was the commercial and administrative centre of the state of Perak. By virtue of this fact, Taiping was the home to most Buddhists in the state including the Sinhalese, Siamese, Burmese and Chinese. With Mr. Alwis came his Sri Lankan culture, heritage and Buddhist faith and through these he was quick to recognise the need for a place of worship for the Buddhists in the town. Being a wealthier member of the Buddhist community in Taiping at that time, he was spurred on in 1889 to purchase a piece of land in Assam Kumbang to meet this end.

That same year he constructed a temple on the piece of land in the fashion of Sinhalese temples in Sri Lanka with eaves carved in the form of half circles all round the roof. The temple still stands today although the Sri Lankan features have been removed in recent times. The result of Alwis's deed in 1889 found a place instantly in the annals of history as being the first and oldest Sinhalese Buddhist temple in Malaysia, being five years before the foundation of the Brickfields Temple in Kuala Lumpur. Six years later in 1895, Alwis founded the Dharmoda Society to look after the temple and its religious affairs.

In the year 1890 Alwis invited a Sinhalese Buddhist from Ehelamalpe Malurata District in the Central Province of Ceylon, who had retired from the British Civil Service to serve as the head monk of the newly formed Buddhist temple. He was subsequently sent to Bangkok for three years to obtain his higher ordination and was there given the name Kissaro.

In 1893 Ven. Galle Nagoda Kissaro brought a Bodhi Tree sapling from the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi Tree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, to be planted in the temple grounds. That same year a single brick wall was built surrounding the Bo sapling and later in 1901, the Sinhalese elders of the temple built two rows of broad brick walls with broad squares in between which is a feature of Sri Lankan architecture. Ven. Kissaro's efforts to pave the way for the growth and propagation of Buddhism won the respect and admiration of all Buddhists alike. He was also the only Buddhist monk in Malaya at that time who was an "Upadiya" (Pali: Upajjhaya), a monk who acts as preceptor of all other monks ordained under him.

In 1899 Alwis handed over the land he had purchased in 1889 to the Government for the purpose of worship for the Buddhist community in Taiping irrespective of colour or creed. This land was gazetted on 29th September 1899, with approval being given by the then Secretary to the Government, Mr. A. R. Venning. The land adjoining the temple was also declared a Buddhist Reserve in the year 1903 by the then Secretary to the Resident, Mr. R. G. Watson, and was named the "Bodi Langka Ram" (a misspelling for Bodhi Lankarama) after the venerated Bodhi Tree that had been brought from Sri Lanka.

In 1934, Ven. Kissaro formulated and laid down the Rules for all devotees of the temple including the Siamese and Sinhalese monks to honour and respect. By then the temple that Mr. Alwis had built had functionally become a Sima - a special building for the recital of the Patimokkha and for other legal acts of the Sangha. In the same year a new shrine hall was built for the laity in which was enshrined the images of the Buddha and Arahants built by sculptors From Sri Lanka. Ven. Kissaro remained in office as the head monk of the temple until he died on 22nd June 1940 at the age of 90, having spent around 45 years as a monk. He was succeeded by his assistant Ven. K. Sarananda who took over the position of Head Monk and worked in the temple until he returned to Ceylon in 1963.

Mr. A. A. Gelis de Alwis was the President and Treasurer of the Society until his death in the year 1941, his position was then taken over by Mr. D. W. Attygalle. In 1945, the Taiping Buddhist Association was formed. Thirteen years later in 1958, the Association, with the aid of donations received from devotees, constructed the Dharmasala (preaching hall), which still stands till this day. The period from 1940 to 1968 saw the Venerables Sarananda, K. Mangala and H. Upatissa, all from Sri Lanka, tending to the religious needs of the devotees of the temple.

The religious aspects of the temple were taken care of by the Venerables R. Seevali and B. Somananda, both from Sri Lanka, during the period 1971 to 1978. Owing to factors beyond the control of the managing committee, the temple had no religious guidance from 1978 to 1984. But then in 1984 a turn of events took place with the setting up of a new working committee under the guidance of Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda Maha Nayaka Thera, who was appointed the spiritual director of the temple.

With the religious guidance and encouragement of the resident monk, Ven. M. Sumangala, a new vihara was started on May 10, 1986. On the 15th and 16th of December 1986, a Netra Pin Kama (Eye-Placing Ceremony) was held for the main Buddha statue in the existing vihara. The plan was to build the new vihara around this Buddha statue and the existing statues of Sariputta and Mogallana. The religious services were conducted by Ven. T. Sumangala Thera assisted by Ven. Saranankara of Sri Jayanti Temple, Sentul, and a Rev. Bodhi. Another important development for that year included plans for a two bedroom house to serve as Monks' Quarters which was submitted to the Town council for approval. This was the first ever plan to be drawn up for a Monk's Quarters.

Construction of the new vihara was completed in 1987 and it was officially opened at 5.00pm on June 20, 1987 by Y.B. Dato Paul Leong Khee Seong, MP for Taiping, who was also instrumental in obtaining a donation of RM 15,000/- from the government of Malaysia for the project. He also supported the visa application of the resident monk, Ven. T. Sumangala Thera. The religious ceremony was conducted by Ven. K Sri Dhammananda Maha Nayaka Thera. In all 21 Bhikkhus of the Maha Sangha graced the occasion. Also present were H.E. The High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Malaysia and his wife. Following the opening of the new vihara, an All-Night Chanting ceremony was hosted.

In 1991, a Sittara (painter) from Sri Lanka, Mr. Rohana Edirisinghe, was present in Malaysia and the long awaited correction of the Netra of the Buddha statue and other renovations to the various statues could be carried out. The auspicious day of November 26, 1991 was chosen for the beginning of the work and the Maha Sangha also informed devotees that the Netra was to be placed on the auspicious date of January 24, 1992 at 10.45am.

Also in 1991, a revised plan of the Monks' Quarters, Dharmasala and meditation centre was drawn up by the Management Committee with the advice of Ven. Pandit Pemaloka Thera and Ven. Sarana Tissa Thera.

The first step towards accommodating non-Sinhalese as members of the Association and office bearers in the Committee of the Association , which eventually materialized in 1999, first evolved when the President of the committee of 1992, Ms. Jessie Perera suggested that a Clause close to that effect be incorporated in the bye-laws of the Association. Other amendments also specified that the Association be called the "TAIPING BODI LANGKA RAM BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION" and the Association's premises be called "BODI LANGKA RAM BUDDHIST VIHARA" whilst maintaining the current address, and so in 1993 the name of the Association was changed accordingly.

Then in 1996, the Taiping Buddha Dhamma Society was formed and the formation of this society was formally approved by the Registrar of Societies on February 16 that year. The society was formed to accommodate the Associate members who were predominantly Chinese to fulfil their aspirations. A gracing ceremony for the society was organised and was very well attended on the July 7th 1996. The Most Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda Maha Nayaka Thera consented to be the Patron of the society.

On April 27, 1997 the installation Ceremony of the Buddha Statue at the Bodhi Tree was hosted. At the 35th AGM on May 18 1997 it was mentioned that plans had been submitted for the renovation of the existing structure around the Bodhi tree. The new construction project consisted of a pavilion structured according to Sri Lankan architecture and an extension to the sitting area of the Bodhi Tree, and other minor works. These projects were completed by the Association on April 26, 1997 with the help of the Taiping Buddha Dhamma Society, which also undertook another project to beautify the landscape of the Temple, which was completed in time for the Kathina ceremony in 1997.

The Chinese devotees requested for "Ordinary" membership at the AGM in 1997. This was considered to have important implications which necessitated the setting up a Board of Trustees comprising exclusively of Sinhalese. The Board of Trustees was to comprise of a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 7 Sinhalese Buddhist members. A proposal was made to amend the bye-laws to include the Trusteeship clause. The opening up of membership to all devotees would result in the Sinhalese becoming a minority group who would eventually be replaced from office. Although this would be an inevitable consequence, the following traditions of the Temple would have to be conserved so as to maintain the identity of the Temple as a Buddhist Temple with a 'Sri Lankan Character and Origin'. To ensure this:

The name of the temple and association should not be changed.

All Sinhalese who are citizens of Malaysia shall be eligible to be ordinary members of the Association.

The incumbent monk/monks of the temple shall be appointed by the Chief High Priest of Malaysia of the Sri Lankan Chapter.

No objects, images or structures not pertaining to Buddhism should be built or erected on the Temple grounds and similarly no sacred objects, images or structures may be removed or demolished.

Finally, at the 37th AGM on August 15 1999 membership was fully opened to all races. The Secretary welcomed the 22 Associate members who had become Ordinary Members of the Association. At this AGM, the house was unanimously in favour of the amendment to the bye-laws to allow non-Sinhalese as office bearers in the Committee. They were approved in writing by the Board of Trustees and by the Registrar of Societies in 1999. In the committee of 1999, the elected office bearers included 10 Chinese, 1 Sinhalese and 1 Tamil with the President being a Chinese devotee.

Since then the office bearers and committee members of Taiping Bodi Langka Ram Buddhist Association have predominantly been Chinese and this remains the case till this date. (unfinished)

MAY YOUR GENEROSITY BRING YOU MUCH PEACE AND HAPPINESS

Fri 28th August

8.00 - 10.00 pm

Dhamma Talk

by Bhante Aggacitta

Sat 29th August

2.00 - 6.00 pm

Afternoon Dhamma Seminar

by Ajahn Suthep

Sat 29th August

7.30 - 9.30 pm

Meditation Class

by Bhante Aggacitta

Sun 30th August

9.00 - 11.00 am

Children's Dhamma School

Sun 30th August

2.00 - 6.00 pm

Afternoon Meditation Retreat

by Ajahn Suthep

Thu 3rd September

8.00 - 10.00 pm

Bodhi Puja and Protection Chanting on the

New Moon

Fri 4th September

8.00 - 10.00 pm

Dhamma Talk

by Bhante Saranankara

Sat 5th September

8.00 - 9.30 pm

Bodhi Puja

with the Sri Lankan Monks

Sat Overnight

10.00 pm - 6.00 am

All-Night Protection Chanting with 20+ Sri Lankan

Monks

Sun 6th

9.00 - 11.00 am

Dhamma School Children's

Exhibition and Presentation

Sunday

11.00 am

Mahasanghika Dana

with 20+ Sri Lankan Monks

Anyone who would like to participate in this event and dedicate the merit :-

Oil lamps at RM 10.00 each ( Enclose donation and made payable to the Taiping Bodhi Langkaram Buddhist Association ).

Taiping Bodhi Langkaram Buddhist Association ,

13,Jalan Muzaffar Shah ,

Taiping , 34000 Perak , Malaysia.

Telephone : 08 - 8077216

Visit our new website : -

WEBSITE : HTTP://WWW.BODHILANKARAMA.NET

To update your contact information , please go the contacts page on the site :

www.bodhilankarama.net/Contact/Contact.htm

Biochem Lab Photo Session

2009-05-15T08:48:00.000-05:00

From Left ( Stand ) : Mr.Haji Said ( MLT U32 ), Mr.Wong ( MLT U29 ), Mr. Abd. Razak ( MLT U29 ), Miss Nor Aini Ishak ( MLT U29 ).

From Left ( Sitting ) : Mrs.Maimunah Abd.Rahman ( MLT U29 ) , Mrs.Hairani Othman ( Biochemist C41 ) , Mrs.Hasniza ( MLT U29 )

and Mrs.Sharifah Halimah ( MLT U29 ).

Wesak Day 2009

2009-05-11T04:48:00.000-05:00

The Vesak celebrations this year began on Friday, 8th May with the Lighting of Lamps and Blessings by Bhante Anandajoti and four visiting monks, two from Sri Lanka, Bhante Dhammavamsa and Bhante Saranadhamma, and two from Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary, Bhante Kumara and Bhante Balacitta.

This was followed by a Dhamma Talk on the Birth, Awakening and Passing of Lord Buddha given by Bhante Kumara in the main Shrine Hall, and blessing chants by the Sri Lankan monks at the Bodhi Tree.

On Vesak Day itself (Saturday, 9th May) the Buddhist Flag was Hoisted at 7.00 am. Then followed the traditional Pindapata, Buddha Puja and the Undertaking of 8-Precepts by Mr. Ter Ah Peng.

At 9.00 am the visiting Sri Lankan monk Bhante Dhammavamsa removed the Holy Relics for the Procession three times around the Shrine Hall, the Relics being carried by Ter Ah Peng, Goh Chee Cheang and Chandran's son Pravin. Throughout the day the three monks tirelessly chanted blessings, tied the protection strings, and performed other duties for the devotees.

After Buddha Puja and the serving of the Sangha all devotees partook of the Vegetarian Lunch prepared with great devotion by Chandran and Shanti, family and friends.

The celebrations culminated in the evening with Bodhi Puja and the Chanting of the Dhammacakkappavattanasuttam, the first discourse of the Buddha by the three monks, which records the foundation of the Sasana, and this was followed by more blessings until late into the night.

WARCRAFT III CHEAT CODES

2008-07-12T22:53:00.001-05:00

TaurenChieftain - Plays a special song (WarCraft III: The Frozen Throne ONLY)

WarpTen - Speeds construction of buildings and units

IocainePowder - Fast Death/Decay

WhosYourDaddy - God mode

KeyserSoze [amount] - Gives you X Gold

LeafitToMe [amount] - Gives you X Lumber

GreedIsGood [amount] - Gives you X Gold and Lumber

PointBreak - Removes food limit

ThereIsNoSpoon - Unlimited Mana

StrengthAndHonor - No defeat

Motherland [race] [level] - level jump

SomebodySetUpUsTheBomb - Instant defeat

AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs - Instant victory

WhoIsJohnGalt - Enable research

SharpAndShiny - Research upgrades

IseeDeadPeople - Remove fog of war

Synergy - Disable tech tree requirements

RiseAndShine - Set time of day to dawn

LightsOut - Set time of day to dusk

DayLightSavings [time] - If a time is specified, time of day is set to that, otherwise time of day is alternately halted/resumed

USNISA VIJAYA DHARANI

2008-07-12T22:49:00.001-05:00

NAMO BHAGAVATE TRAILOKYA PRATIVISISTAYA BUDDHAYA BHAGAVATE TADYATHA, OM, VISUDDHAYA-VISUDDHAYA ASAMA-SAMA SAMANTAVABHASA-SPHARANAGATI GAHANA SVABHAVA VISUDDHE, ABHINSINCATU MAM SUGATA VARA VACANA AMRTA ABHISEKAI MAHA MANTRA-PADAI . AHARA-AHARA AYUH SAM-DHARANI SODHAYA-SODHAYA GAGANA VISUDDHE . USNISA VIJAYA VISUDDHE SAHASRARASMI, SAMCODITE, SARVA TATHAGATA AVALOKANI, SAT-PARAMITA, PARIPURANI, SARVA TATHAGATA MATI DASA-BHUMI, PRATI-STHITE, SARVA TATHAGATA HRDAYA ADHISTHANADHISTHITA MAHA-MUDRE VAJRA KAYA SAM-HATANA VISUDDHE
SARVAVARANA APAYA DURGATI, PARI-VISUDDHE, PRATI-NIVARTAYA AYUH SUDDHE SAMAYA ADHISTHITE MANI-MANI MAHA MANI TATHATA BHUTAKOTI PARISUDDHE VISPHUTA BUDDHI SUDDHE JAYA-JAYA, VIJAYA-VIJAYA, SMARA-SMARA
SARVA BUDDHA ADHISTHITA SUDDHE VAJRI VAJRAGARBHE, VAJRAM BHAVATU MAMA SARIRAM. SARVA SATTVANAM CA KAYA PARI VISUDDHE SARVA GATI PARISUDDHE SARVA TATHAGATA SINCA ME SAMASVAS AYANTU SARVA TATHAGATA SAMASVASA ADHISTHITE, BUDDHYA-BUDDHYA, VIBUDDHYA-VIBUDDHYA, BODHAYA-BODHAYA, VIBODHAYA-VIBODHAYA SAMANTA PARISUDDHE SARVA TATHAGATA HRDAYA ADHISTHANADHISTHITA MAHA-MUDRE SVAHA .

USM & UPM 2008

2008-07-09T07:26:00.002-05:00

STEPHANIE TAY ,SHARON ANNE,LEE KIM HWA,WONG BOON KEAT,SIA & TONG.

USM & UPM STUDENTS 2008

2008-07-07T10:36:00.006-05:00

JAMIE LEE KIM HWA ( USM )
STEPHANIE TAY ( USM )
SHARON ANNE ( USM )
TONG ( USM )
WONG BOON KEAT ( UPM )
SIA ( UPM )

How to remove rvhost.exe aka Trojan Horse?

2008-07-07T09:15:00.000-05:00

You have a nasty worm on your computer, so called W32/SillyFDC-G
Let's start cleaning your computer, shall we?
You should print out these instructions, or copy them to a NotePad file for reading while in Safe Mode, because you will not be able to connect to the Internet to read from this site.
Make a new folder to HijackThis! Like this: C:/Hjt/Hijackthis.exe IMPORTANT FOR THE BACKUPS!
I don't see any firewall running on your computer?( Stop using Windows Defender, because it's too weak) Please download some other firewall from here
After Downloading & Installing new firewall --> =============== * Click Start * Click Control Panel * Double-click Add or Remove Program * Find and remove this program if found:
Yahoo Messengger
=============== Please download AVG Anti-Spyware to your Desktop or to your usual Download Folder. http://www.ewido.net/en/download/ * Install AVG Anti-Spyware by double clicking the installer. * Follow the prompts. Make sure that Launch AVG Anti-Spyware is checked. * On the main screen under Your Computer's security. * Click on Change state next to Resident shield. It should now change to inactive. * Click on Change state next to Automatic updates. It should now change to inactive. * Next to Last Update, click on Update now. (You will need an active internet connection to perform this) * Wait until you see the Update succesfull message. * Right-click the AVG Anti-Spyware Tray Icon and uncheck Start with Windows. * Right-click the AVG Anti-Spyware Tray Icon and select Exit. Confirm by clicking Yes. If you are having problems with the updater, you can use this link to manually update ewido. AVG Anti-Spyware manual updates. Download the Full database to your Desktop or to your usual Download Folder and install it by double clicking the file. Make sure that AVG Anti-Spyware is closed before installing the update. =============== Run HijackThis Click on do a system scan only Place a checkmark next to these lines(if still present)
F2 - REG:system.ini: Shell=Explorer.exe RVHOST.exe O2 - BHO: (no name) - {140BD8E3-C167-11D4-B4A3-080000180323} - (no file) O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7E853D72-626A-48EC-A868-BA8D5E23E045} - (no file) O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo Messengger] C:\WINDOWS\system32\RVHOST.exe O7 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System, DisableRegedit=1 O9 - Extra button: Sky - {08E730A4-FB02-45BD-A900-01E4AD8016F6} - http://www.skybroadband.com (file missing) (If you don't need)
Then close all windows except HijackThis and click Fix Checked =============== Download ATF (Atribune Temp File) Cleaner© by Atribune to your desktop. This program is for XP and Windows 2000 only!
Double-click ATF Cleaner.exe to open it.
Under Main select the following:
* Windows Temp * Current User Temp * All Users Temp * Temporary Internet Files * Prefetch * Java Cache
*The other boxes are optional* Then click the Empty Selected button.
If you use Firefox:
* Click Firefox at the top and choose: Select All * Click the Empty Selected button. * NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click NO at the prompt.
If you use Opera:
* Click Opera at the top and choose: Select All * Click the Empty Selected button. * NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click NO at the prompt.
Click Exit on the Main menu to close the program.
For Technical Support, double-click the e-mail address located at the bottom of each menu. ===============
* Go to Start > My Computer * Go to Tools > Folder Options * Click on the View tab * Untick the following:
* Hide extensions for known file types * Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)
* You will get a message warning you about showing protected operating system files, click Yes * Make sure this option is selected:
* Show hidden files and folders * Click Apply and then click OK

Restart your computer to Safe Mode.
1. If the computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the power. 2. Wait 30 seconds, and then turn the computer on. 3. Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options Menu will appear. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again. 4. Ensure that the Safe Mode option is selected. 5. Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe Mode. 6. Login on your usual account. =============== When in Safemode, please find and remove this:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RVHOST.exe
=============== Close ALL open Windows / Programs / Folders. Please start AVG Anti-Spyware and run a full scan. * Click on Scanner on the toolbar. * Click on the Settings tab. * Under How to act? * Click on Recommended Action and choose Quarantine from the popup menu. * Under How to scan? * All checkboxes should be ticked. * Under Possibly unwanted software: * All checkboxes should be ticked. * Under Reports: * Select Automatically generate report after every scan and uncheck Only if threats were found. * Under What to scan? * Select Scan every file. * Click on the Scan tab. * Click on Complete System Scan to start the scan process. * Let the program scan the machine. * When the scan has finished, follow the instructions below. IMPORTANT : Don't click on the "Save Scan Report" button before you did hit the "Apply all Actions" button. * Make sure that Set all elements to: shows Quarantine (1), if not click on the link and choose Quarantine from the popup menu. (2) * At the bottom of the window click on the Apply all Actions button. (3)
* When done, click the Save Scan Report button. (4) * Click the Save Report as button. * Save the report to your Desktop. * Right-click the AVG Anti-Spyware Tray Icon and select Exit. Confirm by clicking Yes. Reboot in Normal Mode.
Please post fresh HijackThis log and AVG report.
[ + quote]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Virustorjunta.net asiantuntevaa palvelua ilman peeloilua. Hjt-lokit tänneThis message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 30. April 2007 @ 05:12

Categories of Tibetan Prayer Flags

2008-07-07T09:12:00.002-05:00

Tibetan prayer flag types can be divided into about two-dozen categories; half a dozen of which comprise a large majority of the flags we see today. Wind Horse (Lung- ta) flags are by far the most common prayer flag, so much so hat many people think that the word lung-ta means prayer flag. Their purpose is to raise the good fortune energy of the beings in the vicinity of the prayer flag. The wind horse, usually in pictorial form, always occupies the center of this flag. The outside corners of the flag is always guarded by the four great animals – the garuda, dragon, tiger and snow lion – either in pictorial form or in written word.The texts on the flags differ; usually a collection of various mantras or a short sutra. The Victory Banner Sutra (Gyaltsen Semo) is the most popular. Victorious Banners are used to overcome obstacles and disturbances. Shakyamuni Buddha gave the Victory Banner Sutra to Indra, king of the god realm. Indra was instructed to repeat this sutra when going into battle in order to protect his troops and to assure victory over the demigods. The sutra has many protective dharanis to overcome obstacles, enemies, malicious forces, diseases and disturbances. Victory Banner flags display this sutra along with symbols such as the wind horse, the Eight Auspicious Symbols, the Seven Possessions of a Monarch and the Union of Opposites. Often there are special mantras added to increase harmony, health, wealth and good fortune. Health and Longevity Flags usually have a short version of the Buddha’s Long Life Sutra along with prayers and mantras for health and long life. Amitayus, the Buddha of Limitless Life is often in the center of the flag. Two other long life Deities, White Tara (peace and health) and Vijaya (victorious protection) are sometimes included.
The Wish Fulfilling Prayer (Sampa Lhundrup) is a powerful protection prayer written by Guru Padmasambhava. It is said to be especially relevant to our modern age and is good for raising one’s fortune, protecting against war, famine, and natural disasters, as well as overcoming obstacles and quickly attaining ones wishes. These flags often have Guru Rinpoche in the center and repetitions of his powerful mantra OM AH HUNG VAJRA GURU PADMA SIDDHI HUNG. Praise to the 21 Taras was composed by the primordial Buddha Akshobhya. It was written into Sanskrit and Urdu by Vajrabushan Archarya and translated into Tibetan by Atisha in the 11th century. The first 21 Tara prayer flags are attributed to him. Tara was born from the compassionate tears of Avalokiteshvara. As he shed tears for the countless suffering beings one tear transformed into the Savioress Green Tara who then manifested her twenty other forms. The prayer to the 21 Taras praises all her manifestations. The flags with this prayer usually depict Green Tara in the center and often conclude with her root mantra OM TARE TUTARE TURE SOHA. The purpose of this flag is to spread compassionate blessings. Other prayer flag categories are too numerous to describe in this article but a fewof the more popular designs are listed as follows: Avalokiteshvara – Bodhisattva of Compassion, The Warrior-King Gesar, The White Umbrella for Protection, the Kurukulle Power Flag, Manjushri- Embodiment of Wisdom, Milarepa – the Yogisaint, and the Vast Luck Flag.

Raising Tibetan Prayer Flags
Tibetan prayer flags typically come on ropes to be hung in horizontal displays or printed on long narrow strips of cloth that are tied on vertical poles. Prayer flags on ropes are printed on 5 different colors of cloth (yellow, green, red, white and blue) so sets are always in multiples of 5. Pole flags are either a single solid color orthe 5 colors sewn together into one flag. They range in height from about 3ft to 40 ft or more. Pole flags often have colored streamers or “tongues” that are imprinted with special increasing mantras meant to increase the power of the prayers written on the body of the flag. It is also common to see displays of many plain white tibetan prayer flags on poles erected around monasteries and pilgrimage sites. Most of the imported tibetan prayer flags are printed on polyester or nylon blends. Surprisingly, good quality cotton is hard to find in Nepal and India. Wholesale price differences for tibetan prayer flags are often due to the different qualities of cloth. Tibetans don’t mind the gauzy low thread count cloth (the wind passes through it easily) but Americans tend to prefer finer quality materials. Synthetics vs. cotton is a matter of opinion. Some feel that polyester and nylon are more durable,some say they fade faster. Cotton colors tend to be richer and cotton threads are better for the environment (I frequently see pieces of prayer flags in birds nests around my studio). Radiant Heart Studios print only on high quality cotton or high cotton count polyester. Oddly enough it’s difficult to find good quality cotton in Nepal and India and what is called 100% cotton often has something else mixed in. Placing tibetan prayer flags in and around one’s home or business imparts a feeling of harmony, increases the spiritual atmosphere and brings to mind the teachings of enlightenment. By placing prayer flags outdoors their sacred mantras are imprinted on the wind, generating peace and good wishes. Ropes of tibean prayer flags can be strung horizontally between two trees (the higher the better), between house columns or along the eaves of roofs. Sometimes they are strung at angle (be sure that the wind horse points uphill). Vertical Pole Flags look wonderful in a garden, try a prayer flag “grove” in a breezy area. Bamboo works the best for flagpoles but any wood, metal or plastic pole will work. When raising tibetan prayer flags proper motivation is important. If they are put up with the attitude “I will benefit from doing this” – that is an ego-centered motivationnd the benefits will be small and narrow. If the attitude is “May all beings
Tibetan prayer flags are printed from wooden blocks on to coloured cotton - traditionally the five colours are blue, white, red, yellow and green. The flags deteriorate in the elements and are usually renewed each Tibetan New Year. Wandering pilgrims carry strings of flags with them to adorn the sacred sites that they visit.

Tibetan Prayer Flags Texts

2008-07-07T09:12:00.001-05:00

Early in the 7th Century the Tibetan Kig Song Tsen Gompo sent his minister to India to lern Sanskrit and writing. The Tibetan script we see today on tibetan prayer flags was modeled after an Indian script used at that time. Texts seen on prayer flags can be broadly categorized as mantra, sutra and prayers.
A mantra is a powr-laden syllable or series of syllables or sounds with the capacity of influencing certain energy dimensions. The vibration of mantra can control the invisible energies and occult forces that govern existence. continuous repetition of mantras is practiced as a form of meditation in many Buddhist schools. Mantras are almost always in Sanskrit- the ancient language of Hinduism and Buddhism. they range in lenght from a single "seed syllable" like OM to long mantras such as the " Hundred-syllable mantra of Vajrasattva." They are not ralyy translatable; their inner meanings are beyond words.
Probably the oldest Buddhist mantra and still the most widespread among Tibetans is the six-syllable mantra of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. OM MANI PADME HUNG! Printedon prayer flags the mantra sends blessings of compassion to the six worldly realms.
Sutras are prose texts based on the discourses directly derived from Shakyamuni Buddha, the historical Buddha who taught in India 2500 years ago. Many sutras have long, medium and short versions. Prayer flags use the medium or short versions. One short form of sutra often seen a rayer flags is the dharani. Closely related to mantras, dharanis contain magical formulas comprised of syllables with symbolic content. They can convey the essence of a teaching or a particular state of mind. The Victory Banner (Gyaltsen Semo) contains many lines of dharani. Praise to the 21 Taras, the Long Life Flag and the White Umbrella are also examples of Tibetan prayer flags using Sutras.
For purposes of categorization all the other text seen a prayer flags can fall under the general term 'prayeres.' These would include supplications, aspirations and good wishes written by various masters throughout the history of Mahayana Buddhism.

Tibetan Prayer Flags Symbols
In an article this sixe ist is impossible to adequaltely explain the meanings of all the symbols used on Tibetan prayer flags. Symbols by definition have meanings larger than their mere apperance. In the case of sacred Buddhist symbols the meanings are often hinting at vast notions beyond words. Long treatises have been written on the meanigns os such symbols. Listed below are brief meanings of some of the more commom symbols.
The Wind aHorse (Lung-ta)carrying the "Wish fulfilling Jewel of Enlightenment" is the msot prevalent symbol used on prayer flags. It represents good fortune; the uplifting life force energies and opportunities that makes things go well. When one's lung-ta is low obstacles constantly arise. When lung-ta is high good opportunities abound. Raising Wind Horse prayer flags is one of the best ways to raise one's lung-ta energy.
The Eight Auspicious Symbols (Tashi Targye) is one of the msot popular symbol groupings among Tibetans and also one of the oldest, being mentioned in the Pali and Sanskrit cononical texts of Indian Buddhism. These Eight Symbols of Good Fortune are:
The Parasol- which protects from all evil
The Golden Fish-representing happiness ans beings saved from the sea of suffering
The Treasure Vase- sign of fulfillment of spiritual and material wishes.
The Lotus-symbol of purity and spiritual unfoldment.
The Conch Sheel-proclaims the teacings of the enlightened ones.
The Endless Knot-symbolizing meditative mind and infinite knowledge of the Buddha.
The Victory Banner-symbolizes the victory of wisdom over ignorance and the overcoming of obstacles.
The Dharma Wheel-symbol of spirtual and universal law
The Vajra (Tibetan: dorje) is the symbol of indestructibility. In Buddhism it represents true reality, the being or essence of everything existing. This pureemptiness is unborn, imperishable and unceasing. The Four Dignities - These four animals: the Garuda, the Sky Dragon, the Snow Lion and the Tiger are seen in the corners of many Tibetan prayer flags – often accompanying the Wind Horse. They represent the qualities and attitudes necessarily developed on the spiritual path to enlightenment. These are qualities such as awareness, vast vision, confidence, joy, humility and power.
The Seven Precious Possessions of a Monarch –
Precious WheelPrecious JewelPrecious QueenPrecious MinisterPrecious ElephantPrecious HorsePrecious General
These seven objects collectively symbolize secular power. They give the ruler knowledge, resources and power. In the Buddhist interpretation a comparison is drawn between the outward rule of the secular king and the spiritual power of a practitioner. To the spiritual practitioner the Seven Jewels represent boundlesswisdom, inexhaustible spiritual resources and invincible power over all inner and outer obstacles. The Union of Opposites (mithun gyulgyal) is an interesting group of symbols. These mythological beings are joined rival pairs of animals created to symbolize harmony. A snow lion and a garuda, normally mortal enemies, were combined to
form an animial with a snow lion’s body and a garuda’s head and wings. Likewise a fish was put together with an otter and a crocodile-like chu-srin wasmarried to a conch shell. These composed creatures are often put on Victory Banners for the reconciliation of disharmony and disagreement. Deities and Enlightened Beings – Deities in Vajrayana Buddhism are not gods as such but representations of the aspects of Enlightened Mind. Their postures, hand gestures, implements and ornaments symbolize various qualities of the particular aspect. The three main aspects of enlightened mind are compassion, wisdom and power, represented respectively by Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri and Vajrapani. There are other images depicted on prayer flags that look very similar to the transcendental deities. These are actually enlightened human beings such as Shakyamuni Buddha, Guru Padmasambhava, and Milarepa. The Elements Vajrayana Buddhism divides the phenomenal and psycho-cosmic world into five basic energies. In our physical world these manifest as earth, water, fire, air and space. Our own bodies and everything else in the physical world is composed of these five basic elements. On a spiritual level these basic energies correspond to the 5 Buddha Families and the 5 Wisdoms. Prayer flags reflect this comprehensive system through color; each of the 5 colors relates to an element and an aspect of enlightened mind. It should be noted that there are two systems used so there is sometimes confusion about which color corresponds to which element. The order of the colors in prayer flag displays remains the same in both the systems. The color order is always: yellow, green, red, white and blue. In a vertical displays the yellow goes at the bottom and the blue at the top. For a horizontal display the order can go either from right to left or from left to right.According to the Nyingma School (Ancient Ones) the color element correspondence is:Blue – spaceWhite – air (sometimes referred to wind or cloud)Red – fireGreen – waterYellow – earthThe New Translation Schools switch the colors for air and water but keep the rder of the colors the same.

Tibetan Prayer Flags

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Tibetan Prayer Flags in Tibet are called Lung Ta (wind horse), which is both literal of the image, and symbolic of the action of the flags. A typical prayer flag has at its central images a horse bearing threee flaming jewels on its back. Around the hourse are 20-odd mantras - powerful ritual utterances - each dedicated to a particular diety.The idea is that by hanging these tibetan prayer flags in high places such as from the top of stupas and across mountain paths, the Wind Horse will carry the blessings depicted on the flags to all beings.
To me there are few things more beautiful than colorful tibetan prayer flags fluttering in the wind-sometimes waving gently, sometimes raging, a dance of shadow andlight. Tehre is perhaps no simpleer wayto creat god merit in this troubled world f ours than to put prayer flags up for the benefit of other living begs. Prayer flags are not just pretty pieces of colored cloth with funny writing on them. The ancient Buddhist prayers, mantras and powerful symbols displayed on them produce a spiritual vibration that is acivated and carried by the wind across the countryside. All beings that are touched by the wind are uplifted and a little happier. The silent prayer are blessings spoken on the breath of nature. Just as a drop of water acan permeate the ocean, prayers dissolved in the wind extend to fill all of space.
The tibetan prayer flag tradition have a long continuous history dating back to ancient tibet, China, Persia and Nepal. The tradition has now reached the west and is rapidly gaining popularity. The meanings behind tibetan prayer flag text and symbol, indeed behind the whole idea of prayer flags, are based on the most profound concepts of Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy.
The Tibetan word for prayer flag is Dar cho. "Dar" means to increase lfie, fortune, health and wealth. "Cho" means all sentient beings. Tibetan Prayer flags are simple devices that, coupled with the natural energy of the wind, quietly harmonize the environment, impartially increasing happiness and good fortune amont all living beings.
History of Tibtean Prayer Flags
Acording to some lamas prayer flags date back thoursnd of years to the Bon tradition of prebuddhist Tibet. Shamanistic Bonpo presits used primary colored plain cloth flags in healing ceremonies. Each color corresponded to a different primary element - earth, water, fire, air and space - the fundamental building bolcks of both our physical bodies and of our enviroment. According to Eastern medicine health and harmony are produced through the balance of the5 elements. Properly arranging colored flags around a sick patient harmonized the elements in his body helping to produce a state of physical and menta health.
Colored prayer flags were also used to help appease the local gods and spirits of the mountains, valleys, lakes and streams. These elemental beings, wehn provoked were thought to cause natural disasters and disease. Balancing the outer elements and propitiating the elemental spirits with rituals and offerings was the Bonpo way of pacifying nature and invoking the blessings of the gods.
It is not known whether or not the Bonpos ever wrote words on their flags. The preBuddhist religions of Tibet were oral traditions; writing was apparently limited to government bookkeeping. On the other hand the very word, 'bonpo,' means ' one who recites magical formulas" Even if no writing was added to the plain strips of cloth it is likely that the Bonpos painted sacred symbols on them. Some symbols seen on Buddhist prayer flags today undoubtedly have Bonpo origins, their meaning now enhanced with the deep significance of Vajrayana Buddhist philosophy.
From the first millennium AD Buddhism gradually assimilated into the tibetan way of life reaching great zeal in the ninth centruy when the religious King of Tibet invited the powerful Indian meditation master, Guru Padmasambhava, to come and control the forces then impeding the spread of Buddhism. Guru Rinpoche, as he is popularly known, bound the local Tibetan spirits by oath and transformed them into forces compatible with the spread of Buddhism. Some to ther prayer seen on flags today were composed by Guru Rinpoche to pacify the spirits that couse disease and natural disasters.
Originally the writing and images on prayer flags were painted by hand, one at a time. Woodblocks, carefully carved in image relief, were introduced form China in the 15 th century. This invention made it possible to reproduce identical prints of the same design. traditional designs could then be easily passed down from genetration to generation.
Famouse Buddhist masters created most prayer flag designs. Lay craftsmen make copies of the design but would never think of actually creating a new design. There are relatively few basic designs no real innovations to the printing process have occurred in the past 500 years. Most prayer flags imported to the West today are woodblock rpinted. Some shops are now starting to produce prints made from zinc faced blocks that can be etched photographically resulting in finer detail than the hand carved woodblock. Natural stone ground pigments have been replaced by printing inks, usually having a kerosene base. Most of the companies in the west prefer to use silkscreen printing techniques as wood carving is a time consuming skill requiring lengthy apprenticeship.
When the Chinese took over Tibet they destroyed much of everthing having to do with Tibetan culture and religion. Prayer flags were discouraged but not entirely eliminated. We will never know how many traditional designs hve been lost forever since the turmoil of China's cultural revolution. Because cloth and paper prins deteriorate so quicly the best way to preserve the ancient designs is by saving the woodblocks. Woodblocks, often weighing several pounds, were too heavy for the refugees to lug over the Himalayas and woodblocks no doubt made wounderful firewood for Chinese troops.Most of the traditional prayer flags today are made in Nepal and India by tibetan refugees or by Nepali Buddists from the Tibetan border regions.

MyPC

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Part7

MyPC

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Part6

MyPC

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Part5

MyPC

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Part4

My PC

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Part3

My PC

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Part2

My PC

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Part1

Karmapa11

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Karmapa9

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Karmapa9

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Karmapa8

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Karmapa7

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Karmapa6

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Karmapa5

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Karmapa4

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Karmapa3

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Karmapa2

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Karmapa1

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Burmese Ford Laser

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Knocked my sis' car

Queensbay Megamall

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Jaya Jusco

The car that knocks...

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Dragon Offering3

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Dragon Offering2

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Dragon Offering

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History of the Lab

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Fire Offering in Chung Ling ( Private ) Secondary School.

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Fire Offering in Palme Gon , Bagan Lallang , Butterworth.

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The Fire Offering

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The Lion

Taking rice ash

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Guys getting ash

I vs THE

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The mo

I vs THE

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The

Fire Puja

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Gelugpa