MAY 2023

May all beings enjoy happiness and the causes of happiness.

May they be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.

May they not be separated from the Great Joy that is free of suffering.

May they dwell in the great equanimity, free of attachment, aversion

and indifference.

This compassionate prayer, called The Four Immeasurables, is the backbone of Buddhism. Nearly all Tibetan prayer flags are concerned with promoting good fortune, good health, and freedom from fear and suffering. As the wind carries the beneficent vibrations of the ancient symbols and texts across the land and through the heavens, all beings touched by the wind are blessed.

The Prayer for World Prayer for World Peace

This prayer states these wishes succinctly:


"At this very moment for the people and the nations of the earth may not even the words - disease, famine, war 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."

Windhorse for Good Fortune


Some traditional prayer flags, such as the Wind Horse (Lung-ta) are designed with powerful symbols and mantra specifically to increase one’s “Good Fortune Energy.” Lung means wind or “prana,” the Life Force. Raising one’s lung-ta increases health, wealth and good luck. The most widely used prayer flags, they come in many different designs.

Medicine Buddha



Printed with the Medicine Buddha Sutra and healing mantra, Medicine Buddha prayer flags, are specifically for eliminating pain and suffering and promoting health and well being.


TAYATHA OM BEKANDZE BEKANDZE MAHA BEKANDZE RADZA SAMUDGATE SOHA





Mantras and Yantras

Some prayer flags use ancient mantras as magical spells to purify negative karma. Vajrasattva, the Buddha of Purification uses a powerful hundred syllable mantra. Tsuktor Namgyalma, the embodiment of long life and purification, uses a “yantra,” which is a mantra written in the form of a mandala. Placing this flag on a mountain is said to bless the entire mountain and all the beings (both visible and invisible) who dwell there.

Averting Obstacles and Attracting Enlightened Qualities

There are dozens of other traditional designs devoted to averting specific obstacles, from neighborhood gossip to Nuclear War, and prayer flags devoted to Wisdom Beings embodying specific enlightened qualities such as Wish-fulfillment, Compassion, and Power. 

If you take some time exploring Prayerflags.com, you’ll find detailed explanations of the prayer flag designs we carry, their auspicious symbols and text meanings. The “Information Pages” section of the website has an essay on the “Prayer Flag Tradition” and English translations of some of the prayer flag texts. There is also an archive of links to all our Past Newsletters.

Wheel of Life Thangka Photos

Several of you asked if we had photos Last month’s newsletter had an image of a The Wheel of Life thangka painting. Several of you asked if photos of the thangkas were available. I wished I thought of that before I produced the newsletter. I bought the original thangka in 2004 and sold it almost immediately. Fortunately, I took a high resolution digital image of it first and from that I was to get copies made: 5”x 7” ($6) and 8”x 10” ($12)

The Naga King Migon Kharpo





My teacher, Lama Dawa Chhodak gave me this painting of the Naga King, Migon Kharpo, to place in the shrine we built on my land in Northern California (see the photo at right)

Naga Offering Days are posted on our website. From the response I've gotten over the years, there seem to be many of you who regularly make offerings. I got some nice color photos made, if you'd like one for your Naga Shrine. They are available through the website: 5"x7" ($6) and 8"x10" ($12). They'd best be framed or lalminated.

This Month's Naga Calendar

(See our website for more information about Naga Offerings and Prayer Flag Ceremonies)

Third Lunar Month (April 21 - May 19):

During this month, the Nagas are gathering together in great meetings. If you make offerings to them during teb days, they will perceive your offerings as ambrosia. The result of this will bring much benefit to the surrounding environment, and all your wishes and aspirations will come true. On the other hand, if you make offerings during the dok days, they will thing your offerings as garbage and refuse and they will run away from you.


Fourth Lunar Month (May 20 - June 18):

At this time, the Nagas pay particular attention to abiding by the laws of their realm. If we make offerings to them during teb days, then they will provide true support to us. If we make offerings to them on dok days, our offerings will turn to poison, so beware!


There are five especially good days in May to make offerings for the Nagas - May 12,13, 14,24, 28

Be sure not to disturb the Nagas on May 5

If you have any questions or comments, I try to answer your emails. I appreciate getting photos and videos of prayer flags on display, especially the flags you got from us.

Email us at: prayerflags1@gmail.com

Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter.

Timothy Clark

Owner of Radiant Heart Studios