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THE FOUR IMMEASURABLES
May all beings enjoy happiness and the causes of happiness.
May they be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
May they never be separated from the Great Joy devoid of suffering.
May they dwell in the great equanimity, free from attachment, aversion and indifference.
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In times of great divisiveness, like the one we're seeing now, it may feel overwhelming to witness the intensity of polarization. We’re navigating a landscape where differences in beliefs, values, and perspectives can lead to separation, misunderstandings, and hostility. It strains relationships, communities, and even our sense of self. This divisiveness often has roots in fear, feelings of scarcity, and loss of trust. This makes people more prone to defending their views at the expense of openness and empathy. These times challenge us to tap into qualities of patience, compassion, and wisdom. It doesn’t mean we need to agree on everything, but rather that we can approach our differences with a willingness to understand the other side. Sometimes, people feel most secure in their own identities when they can reject or criticize others, but these “walls” often come down when both sides feel heard.
The Four Immeasurables (Loving-kindness, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity) remind us that, despite our differences, our shared humanity is greater than any belief or position. Practicing even small moments of understanding, kindness, and openness can ripple outward and foster greater connections in our relationships and communities. Small acts of kindness, listening, and understanding are needed more than ever. It’s an invitation to return to the fundamental values that bring people together and to have faith in humanity's capacity for growth and unity. The Four Immeasurables are central Buddhist virtues that cultivate positive qualities of the heart and mind. They are called "immeasurable" because their benefits are boundless when developed sincerely and shared with all beings. This prayer, repeated with sincere intention, helps open the heart and reinforces these qualities in daily life.
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4 - Armed Chenrezig
Embodiment of Infinite Compassion
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Hand Painted 4-Armed Chenrezig Thangka
Painting Size 16"x 24" Brocade Size: 28"x51" Price: $450
This is the thangka that was photographed for the Photo in our Thangka Photos Collection.
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Avalokiteshvara, also known as Chenrezig in Tibetan (pronounced: Chen-re-zee’), is a revered bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism. He embodies infinite compassion and is known for his unyielding commitment to helping all sentient beings attain liberation from suffering. Avalokiteshvara’s name in Sanskrit translates as "The Lord Who Looks Down with Compassion" or "The Lord Who Hears the Cries of the World." Tantric Deities should not be considered external beings. They are "Wisdom Beings," representing the innate qualities of enlightened mind. Awakened mind, the essence of all living beings, is characterized by compassion, wisdom, power, fearlessness, clarity, luminosity; unborn and undying. These aspects are embodied in tantric Buddhist iconography. Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Supreme Compassion, is the helper of all beings in the 6 realms (gods, jealous gods, humans, animals, hungry ghosts, and hell beings).
The main form of Chenrezig has 4 arms, representing The 4 Immeasurables. He is usually depicted as white in color representing purity and clarity, unclouded by selfishness and attachment. Chenrezig’s compassion is seen as unblemished and pure, extending equally to all beings without discrimination. His two primary hands hold the jewel of enlightenment that fulfills all wishes. His 2nd right hand holds a crystal rosary, representing the tirelessness of his compassion, and in his left hand is a lotus of purity.
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4-Armed Chenrezig
Hand-screened print on cotton fabric
Size: 15" x 21" Sale Price: $15
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The Standing Avalokiteshvara is another form of the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Unlike seated depictions, which emphasize calmness and meditative introspection, the standing form represents Avalokiteshvara’s active engagement in the world, symbolizing his readiness to assist sentient beings in their suffering.
We printed hundreds of these "split-fountain" prints of the Standing Avalokiteshvara, I created this print in 1975 and retired the screen in 2015. Two-inch double-folded cloth borders were sewn on a few, but that proved to be too labor intensive. I recently found a few in our warehouse and decided to sell them at half price until they are sold out.
Size: 12"x 17" Sale Price: $12
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"At this very moment, for the peoples and nations of the earth,
May not even the names disease, war, famine, and suffering be heard.
But rather may their moral conduct, merit, wealth, and prosperity increase,
And may supreme good fortune and well-being always arise for them."
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The World Peace Prayer by His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche (1904 - 1987) is a powerful aspiration for the end of suffering, war, and conflict around the globe. This prayer reflects deep compassion and wisdom urging for a world where kindness and peace prevail. These prayer flags are printed on high quality 90% cotton and are fully hemmed. The prayer is printed in Tibetan at the top with its English translation underneath.
It's not been very long since the Prayer Flags for World Peace were featured in our Newsletter, but more prayers for peace and the well-being are definitely needed to foster a collective intention for a harmonious world.
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Long Prayer Banner
12 in. x 41 in.
"Split-fountain" silk screen printing is accomplished by placing several colors of ink on a single stenciled screen and then blending them together when drawing the squeegee across the screen.
This banner has a spit-fountain print of Standing Avalokiteshvara in the center with split fountain prints of his mantra (OM MAPADME HUM) printed 6 times. It required printing the center print, letting it dry, and then carefully printing the top and bottom prints.
The center print uses blue, red, and yellow ink. The top and bottom prints of the mantra uses red, yellow, and blue ink. When the ink is blended you get the secondary colors: purples, oranges and greens. It's tricky because if any of the red ink gets into the green, it turns brown and the printer needs to wash out the screen and start over.
This design was very popular and thousands of banners were printed between 1975 and 2015.The many "retail impaired" flags (rejects) were given away or put up around our property in Northern California. My wife, Tsering, sewed borders on a few dozen of these banners to sell at Arts & Crafts fairs. I finally retired the screen 9 years ago. I came across this single bordered print in the warehouse a few weeks ago and decided to give it away in the monthly free drawing.
If you'd like a chance to win this banner,
email us your name and address to prayerflags2@gmail.com.
Please don't forget to include your mailing address.
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Congratulations to Constance Bradley of Scottsdale, AZ !
The winner of last month's drawing for the Windhorse woodblock print.
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During this 9th month of the Tibetan year, the Nagas are gathering the essence of trees. The sap of the trees are owned by the Nagas and they are very connected to trees at this time. If you make offerings to them on Naga Offering (teb) days, you will always have luxuries. If you make offerings to them on dok days, they will perceive your offering as burning fire and flee. Some texts say that Nagas will punish you by giving you contageous diseases. I don't list the dok days, so to be safe, only make offerings on the Naga Offering Days listed below.
The most auspicious days to make offerings this month are November 13, 17, 27, and the 29.
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Prayer Flag Photos from Friends | |
Customers sent us very nice photos last month. I really appreciate being able to share them with you. | |
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It was certainly time for this worn out old prayer flag to retire.
Think of the millions of prayers that it generated. ~Mule Creek, NM
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Time for a fresh new flag!
The red vertical pole flags generate the
"Prayer of Spontaneous Accomplishment;"
Sometimes known as the
"Wish Fulfilling Prayer" of Guru Rinpoche
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This set of Wind Horse Prayer Flags waves in Maynooth, Ontario which is near the famous Algonquin Park. | |  |
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This lovely Naga Shrine is perfectly situated at a bend of a river in Colorado.
The Nagas must love it!
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Ronald McEwan, a volunteer at Massapequa Preserve, Long Island, New York, sent us several great photos of prayer flags blessing the animals in the park. (I learned that a group of racoons is called a "nursery" or a "gaze.") Because the preserve is a public park, the prayer flags can't remain there for long, but it's nice that the area received some blessings. I'll share some more of Ronald's photos next month.
The set of 5 prayer flags shown in this photo is the "Screen Printed Mixed Set."
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Thank you so much for sending us photos of your prayer flag displays! | |
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If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for my newsletter, please write.
I will try to answer your emails.
Email me at: prayerflags2@gmail.com
Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter.
Timothy Clark
Owner of Radiant Heart Studios
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