DU SUM SANGYE PRAYER FLAG

We have a new prayer flag in our inventory! The Du Sum Sangye prayer is a beloved practice of Tibetan Buddhists. It was written 1300 years ago by Guru Rinpoche specifically for our present age. Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) is revered in Tibet as the second Buddha. The name "Du Sum Sangye," means “Buddhas of the Three Times;” past, present, and future. In reciting the prayer, practitioners invoke the power of all Buddhas across time, condensed into the living presence of Guru Rinpoche. The prayer is not only a request for swift protection and the removal of obstacles, but also an affirmation that awakened mind transcends time and circumstance. I've been wanting to create this prayer flag for many years and finally got around to doing it.

Transliteration of Du Sum Sangye Prayer:

English translation of Du Sum Sangye Prayer: (Buddhas of the Three Times)

PRECIOUS GURU, THE EMBODIMENT OF ALL THE BUDDHAS OF THE THREE TIMES

GREAT BLISS, THE LORD OF ALL ACCOMPLISHMENTS;

WRATHFUL POWER, THE ONE WHO DISPELS ALL HINDRANCES AND SUBDUES DEMONS

WE PRAY YOU BESTOW YOUR BLESSINGS!

PLEASE REMOVE THE OUTER, INNER, AND SECRET OBSTACLES,

AND GRANT YOUR BLESSINGS SO ALL OUR WISHES BE SPONTANEOUSLY FULFILLED!

Guru Rinpoche’s semi-wrathful standing is often associated with this prayer. The dymamic standing posture indicates his readiness, immediacy, and his ability to act swiftly, without delay. The Semi-wrathful expression conveys protective vigilance — fierce enough to repel obstacles, yet still suffused with compassion. He holds a vajra, symbolizing indestructible awareness, and a skull-cup, symbolizing the union of bliss and emptiness. Wearing the robes of both monk and tantric adept, he embodies the integration of renunciation and transformation. In the crook of his left arm is a khatvanga staff, emphasizing his mastery of the Vajrayana path- the ability to transform all experiences, even death and defilements, into the path of enlightenment. The flames surrounding Guru Rinpoche symbolize the wisdom fire of enlightenment — protective, purifying, transformative, and fierce in its compassion.This form communicates the very spirit of the Du Sum Sangye prayer: compassionate, swift, and unwavering in its resolve to protect and liberate beings.

This Du Sum Sangye prayer flag is designed with a line drawing of Guru Rinpoche in the center surrounded by the text. The prayer in its original Tibetan is at the top, then the transliteration and the English translation below.

Besides printing the flag in the traditional 5-color sets, we're also offering it on a single white flag that can be hung indoors or outdoors.

Single Print: 11 in x 14 in (hemmed on all four sides)

On sale this month for $7 (limit 3 per customer for now)

On one level, the Du Sum Sangye prayer is a direct call to Guru Rinpoche to dispel negative influences — outer, inner, and secret. Practitioners turn to it in times of fear, uncertainty, illness, or danger, relying on the power of Guru Rinpoche’s compassion and skillful means to swiftly pacify harm. Because Padmasambhava is seen as the second Buddha who tamed the wild spirits of Tibet and concealed countless treasures for future generations, his blessing is considered immediate and effective, especially when invoked through this prayer.

On a deeper level, the Du Sum Sangye prayer reminds practitioners of the timeless presence of awakened mind. By invoking the Buddhas of past, present, and future, it points to the continuity of enlightenment beyond linear time. Guru Rinpoche, in this sense, is not merely a historical figure but the living embodiment of awakened awareness, accessible in any moment when we call upon him with devotion. The prayer thus functions as both a protection practice and a doorway to recognizing the inseparability of our own mind and the enlightened mind.

At its heart, the Du Sum Sangye prayer is not only about outer protection from danger, illness, or malevolent forces. It is also about inner protection: shielding the practitioner from doubt, fear, and the grasping of ego. When one calls on Guru Rinpoche in this way, one is also calling upon the power of one’s own awakened nature. The semi-wrathful form reflects this truth — the face of compassion strengthened with the resolve of wisdom.

According to Nyingma lineage sources, the prayer was originally taught by Guru Rinpoche himself in the 8th century. As he did with many practices, he concealed it as a terma — a “treasure teaching” — to be discovered at a later time when beings would most need it. The great tertön (treasure revealer) Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa, (1829–1870) pulled the text from “the right-hand side of the Sengchen Namdrak (Great Lion) rock on Mount Rinchen Tsekpa (Pile of Jewels). The prayer was revealed in a period of great upheaval in Tibet, when many practitioners faced obstacles, political instability, and the spread of harmful influences. It became cherished as a swift practice of protection, blessing, and obstacle-removal — qualities especially needed in these difficult times.

The blessings of this prayer are especially intended for our present time.

Traditionally, sets of 5 color prayer flags are woodblock printed with black ink. Unfortunately, black ink doesn't show up well on the blue, red and green backgrounds. We decided to screen print the Du Sum Sangye prayer flags with colored inks, so that the design would stand out well on the darker colored fabrics.

The five colors of Tibetan prayer flags each carry layered symbolic meanings — tied to the five elements, the five directions, and the five wisdoms of Buddhist practice. When hung together, they represent balance and harmony of all aspects of existence.

Blue: Sky/Space, White: Air/Wind, Red: Fire, Green: Water, Yellow: Earth

Set of 5

Du Sum Sangye Prayer Flags

Set of 5 prayer flags on rope

(6 ft long) - $19

Set of 10

Du Sum Sangye Prayer Flags

Set of 5 prayer flags on rope

(12 ft long) - $27

Set of 25

Du Sum Sangye Prayer Flags

Set of 5 prayer flags on rope

(30 ft long) - $19

Guru Rinpoche's manifestations are not random variations but carefully expressed symbolic embodiments of different functions of enlightened activity. In contrast to his semi-wrathful standing form is the more common seated, peaceful aspect as "The Lotus-Born" (Padmasambhava). Here, he is seated serenely on a lotus, clad in silk and brocade, wearing the lotus hat, holding the vajra and skull-cup, with the khatvāṅga staff in the crook of his arm. He was said to have been born miraculously on a lotus in Lake Dhanakosha. The lotus signifies purity — arising unstained from the muddy waters of samsara. His seated posture represents stillness, meditation, and the calm, nurturing aspect of peaceful compassion and awakened activity. This form is the primary aspect of Guru Rinpoche — teacher, guide, and compassionate refuge. It emphasizes his quality as the Nirmanakaya Buddha, appearing in a peaceful way to teach and guide beings. It's function is to inspire faith, devotion, and the sense of refuge. It is the form most often enshrined on altars and invoked in general practice.

Guru Padmasambhava Photo

Guru Rinpoche is shown seated on a lotus in a lake with 2 Nagas making offerings. At the top are Samantabhadra & Samantabhadri, the male and female aspects of the primordial Buddha, in union. The figures on either side of Guru Rinpoche are his two primary consorts, Mandarava and Yeshe Tsogyal.

5x7 Print - $6

8x10 Print - $15

Guru Rinpoche Screen Print on Cotton

This screen-printed cotton print depicts Guru Rinpoche sits in a relaxed, royal posture, showing ease and confidence. His right hand is in the "vajra posture of subjugation," This posture expresses supreme mastery, protection, and the indestructible power of awakened awareness brought directly into the world.

Size: 15 in x 21 in (unhemmed)

Price: $18

This Hand-painted thangka of Guru Rinpoche is one of the larger ones in our collection. The canvas an which the thangka is painted measures 17"x 23" and the 3 color brocade border measures 31"x 51". It's nicely drawn and the palette of colors is pleasing.

On sale this month for $450 (regularly $550).

Two-armed Standing Chenrezig

Chenrezig (Avalokiteśvara), the bodhisattva of compassion, appears in many different iconographic forms within Tibetan Buddhism, ranging from peaceful to wrathful, seated to standing, two-armed to a thousand-armed. Among these, the two-legged, two-armed standing form is one of the simplest yet most profound expressions of his nature. In this form, Chenrezig is depicted standing upright, youthful, radiant, gentle, and accessibile to all beings in need.

He holds a lotus flower in his left hand symbolizing purity unstained by samsara. In the right hand he holds a crystal rosary (mālā), signifying continuous recitation of mantras for the liberation of beings. He is adorned with silken garments and jeweled ornaments, representing the qualities of a bodhisattva.

The two-armed, standing Chenrezig is a distilled image of awakened compassion: simple, graceful, and immediately responsive. Unlike more elaborate forms, this icon shows that the heart of the bodhisattva path is direct — to stand upright in the world with purity and tireless compassion, ready to serve all beings without hesitation.


 14”x19” woodblock print on hand-made rice paper 

If you'd like a chance to win this print, email me your name and address to prayerflags2@gmail.com.

Please don't forget to include your mailing address.

Congratulations to Phyllis Cooper of Santa Fe, NM

for winning the Demon-Binding Protective Charm

The month of October is split between two Tibetan Calendar months. The 8^th month of this Tibetan calendar year goes through October 21 . The 9^th month is from October 22 until November 20.

 During the 8^th month, the Nagas are busy making their clothing. It is their season for dressing up. If you make offerings to them on teb (offering) days, you will never suffer from the lack of food and clothes. However, if you make offerings to them on a dok (negative) day, even if you offer very precious things, there will be no result.

During the 9th Tibetan month, 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 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. Nagas can be responsible for contagious diseases so it is best not to upset them.

  The Naga offering days are listed below. The best days for offering ceremonies this month are October 4, 7,and 20. Don't disturb them on October 10.

Please send us photos of your prayer flags so we can share them.

Any size, shape and format is okay.

Email: prayerflags2@gmail.com

Links to all the previous Newsletters can be found in the Newsletters Archives.

Please pass the link on to any friends who mignt be interested.

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