JANUARY 2025

The Universal Buddhist Flag

There are an estimated 500–550 million Buddhists worldwide. Three primary branches: the Theravada, the Mahayana, and the Vajrayana, with their scores of sub-sects, reflect Buddhism's rich diversity. Buddhism originated in India 2500 years ago. Early Buddhist

monks spread the Buddha's teachings throughout Asia but, because travel was so arduous in those days, Buddhism developed regionally in relative isolation. By the late nineteenth century there were many schools and sects, each with their own philosophies, styles, and identities.

The Universal Buddhist Flag was designed in 1885 by a group of Buddhist leaders as a symbol of unity for all Buddhists, to represent the diversity and commonality of the worldwide Buddhist community.

The Universal Buddhist Flag can be seen flying at Buddhist monasteries and homes of Dharma practitioners throughout the world. Our Universal Buddhist Flags are fabricated from the different colors of cloth intricately sewn together. The pole edge (blue) can be attached to the pole using the 2" sleeve and/or the cloth ties.

On Sale this month

Large Size: 46"x35" - $30 (regularly $36)

Medium Size: 33"x25" - $22 (regularly $28)

Small Size: 27"x19" - $19 (regularly $24)

The Universal Buddhist Flag's design incorporates six vertical stripes in five colors representing the aura believed to have emanated from the Buddha after his enlightenment. A sixth vertical stripe, a blend of all five colors, represents the unity of Buddhism across different cultures and traditions. Although seen in several variations and forms, renditions of the Buddhist flag closely resemble each other. The first set of 4 colors, blue, yellow, red, and white identically placed in most Buddhist flags. It’s only the fifth, the original orange, that is replaced with different color, depending on the particular tradition.

Each color on the flag has symbolic meanings in Buddhism:

Orange, yellow and saffron are associated with renunciation, humility, and purity.

Blue signifies wisdom, clarity, healing and the boundless nature of the mind.

White represents purity, virtue, simplicity and meditative focus.

Red symbolizes energy, life force, protection, and transformation.

Maroon symbolizes detachment from material desires and worldly attachment

The Traditions of Buddhism

The many Buddhist sects can be categorized under three main traditions: Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Although these three traditions developed in different areas of Asia and have their own unique practices and beliefs, all three are based on the same teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha. These similarities include the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the concept of Interdependent Origination. Buddhists of all schools believe in cultivating virtue, reducing harm and developing mindfulness. Meditation is central in all traditions, though specific practices and emphases may vary. All three traditions recognize the importance of the monastic sangha as well as the community of lay practitioners.

The Wheel of Life

The Wheel of Life explains the existence of the world according to the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha. Early Buddhist monks used drawings like this as teaching aids on their travels, so the philosophy contained in these teachings is common to all Buddhist schools. Nothing arises independently; everything is a product of interdependent causes and conditions. Because existnce is based on causes and conditions, all phenomena are impermanent; including the concept of self (I am). By understanding and breaking the causal chain one can transcend the cycle of suffering (samsara) and attain liberation from the cycle of rebirth (nirvana).

12"x 16" Print on Cotton - $12

At its center of this Wheel of Life (Samsara) are the animals representing the root causes of conditioned existence: ignorance, desire, and aversion. The next ring depicts the successive rising and falling action of Karma. Sentient beings revolve endlessly among the Six Realms, shown in the large middle circle. The outermost circle depicts the twelve phases of dependent origination The entire Wheel of Life is in the grasp of Yama, Lord of Death.

Description and Explanation

of the Wheel of Life

Photo of Thangka Painting

5"x7" - $6

8"x10" - $15

In what regions are the 3 Paths practiced?

The Theravāda tradition is predominantly practiced in Southeast Asia: Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. The Mahayāna schools are found mainly in the countries of East Asia: China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. The Vajrayāna sects are centered primarily in the Himalayan regions: Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, and also in Mongolia.

The differences in between the 3 traditions regarding how they view the role of the Buddha, their primary texts, their philosophies, practices, rituals and their perceived paths to enlightenment.

What are the primary views and practices of the 3 Paths?

The Theravada Path

The Theravada tradition views the Buddha primarily as a historical figure and teacher. The Theravadins study and practice the teachings of the Pali Canon (Tipitaka). Originally written in the Pali language, the Tripitika is considered the earliest and most authentic record of the Buddha's teachings. The teachings emphasize individual enlightenment through self-discipline and insight meditation (vipassana), and the practices focus on meditation, the study of scripture, and adherence to monastic discipline. Rituals are minimal, and the path to enlightenment stresses personal effort, emphasizing gradual progress over many lifetimes (the arahant ideal).

The Mahayana Path

The Mahayana teachings expand the concept of the Buddha into multiple buddhas and bodhisattvas, often seen as transcendent or cosmic beings. The primary texts are the sutras, over 100 of them, such the Heart Sutra, Lotus Sutra, and the Diamond Sutra, and Pure Land Sutras. These were originally written in Sanskrit and later translated into Chinese, Tibetan, and other languages. There are also thousands of volumes of commentaries. Although the Sutras are teachings that the Buddha gave, they were composed and compiled long after the Pali Canon. philosophical commentaries. The Mahayana Path emphasizes on the Bodhisattva ideal—working for the enlightenment of all beings rather than personal enlightenment. The Bodhisattva Path focuses on the cultivation of compassion and wisdom through the use of meditation, chanting, and devotion to bodhisattvas. The aspiration is to help all sentient beings reach enlightenment.

The Vajrayana Path

The Vajrayāna treats the Buddha as a central, cosmic quality inherent in every sentient being. The path uses techniques of meditation, visualization, mantra, and rituals involving deities as representing qualities of enlightened mind. The Vajrayana Path incorporates Mahayana texts and tantric texts such as the Guhyasamāja Tantra and the Kalachakra Tantra. These teachings originally came directly from Wisdom Beings and enlightened masters and were initially passed down orally, often in secret, from guru to disciple. They often emphasize secret or advanced practices that require initiation from a qualified teacher (guru). The texts are full of symbolic language, metaphors, and imagery, making them difficult to understand without proper guidance. They include instructions on using sacred sounds (mantras) and gestures (mudras) as tools for spiritual practice. There are detailed descriptions of visualizing deities, mandalas, and energy flows within the body. Central to Tantra is the idea of transforming ordinary experiences, including emotions and desires, into paths for enlightenment. The Vajrayana Path builds on Mahayana philosophy but incorporates esoteric and tantric practices aimed at achieving enlightenment in a single lifetime.

The color of the stripes on the Universal Buddhist Flag are said to also represent the colors of monks and nuns robes worn in the different regions of Buddhism.

Orange robes are most commonly associated with Theravāda Buddhist monks and nuns. The tradition of wearing orange robes dates back to the time of the Buddha. Early monks wore robes made from discarded cloth, which was dyed with natural materials like saffron or turmeric to give them an orange or ochre hue. These dyes were readily available and inexpensive, and the color symbolized simplicity and detachment from worldly possessions.

Sri Lankan monks often wear deeper ochre or brownish-orange robes
Thai monks typically wear bright orange or yellow robes.
Myanmar monks may wear robes in maroon or reddish-orange tones, though orange is still common.

Anagarikas are lay renunciants in Theravāda Buddhism who live a celibate, monastic-like lifestyle but do not take full ordination as monks or nuns. They typically wear simple white robes. They may stay in monasteries and follow a more disciplined spiritual path while maintaining some lay status.

Theravadin monks and nuns In some regions, such as Myanmar and Sri Lanka, monks might wear robes in shades closer to red, especially in rural areas or particular monasteries.

Red robes are also worn by monks and nuns in Tibetan Buddhism. The deep red or maroon robes are a hallmark of Vajrayāna monastic attire. In Bhutan and Mongolia which follow the Vajrayāna traditions, monks often wear dark red robes, sometimes with yellow sashes or adornments, reflecting their cultural and spiritual heritage. Chinese and Korean Buddhism occasionally wear red robes during special ceremonies or festivals, though this is less common for daily monastic wear.

Monks and nuns in Japan's Soto and Rinsai Zen traditions primarily wear black or gray robes. Ōbaku Zen (a smaller Japanese Zen school) often incorporates Chinese influences, with monks sometimes wearing yellow or brown robes.

Blue robes are less common in the Buddhist monastic tradition but are worn by certain schools in China and Korea. In East Asia, lay practitioners or devotees often wear blue robes during meditation retreats, chanting sessions, or temple ceremonies. These robes distinguish lay practitioners from monastics while signifying their commitment to Buddhist practice.

A Ngakpa is a practitioner of Vajrayana Buddhism who follows the path of a lay tantric yogi or yogini. Unlike fully ordained monks and nuns, Ngakpas do not take monastic vows of celibacy or renunciation of worldly life. Instead, they maintain commitments to specific tantric vows and practices while living as householders or in lay communities. Ngakpas primarily trace their lineage back to Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), who is credited with bringing Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century.

Ngakpas wear white robes, often with a red and white shawl, called a zhen.

Coming Soon

Tsuktor Namgyalma - Set of 5 on rope. We've had pole flags with this design for a few years and recently decided to offer the design in a horizontal display on rope. Each flag is 27"x 27", which is quite large for a prayer flag on rope. I'll start with offering 5 on a rope and if customers like them, I'll get longer displays. The photo above is taken on the roof of our Kathmandu Studio. I plan to feature these flags in the next newsletter.

January's Free Drawing

Bodhidharma

15 in. x 28 in.

Bodhidharma was one of the traveling monks that spread the teachings or the Buddha. It is said that he was born a prince of an Indian kingdom but little is known about his youth. He eventually immigrated to China as a missionary-monk during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty (502–549 CE). While there were many Buddhist monks from India in China at that time, Bodhidharma was the first to introduce the specific teachings that defined the Chan school (known as Zen in Japan).

A four-line teaching attributed to him synthesizes his approach:

"A special transmission outside the scriptures,

Not depending on words and letters;

Directly pointing to the mind,

Seeing into one’s true nature and attaining buddhahood."

Bodhidharma sat in meditation at Shaolin monastery for nine years. It is said that he sat facing a wall the entire time, letting his legs wither away.

Two generations after Bodhidharma, his message was carried to Vietnam. Thereafter, Zen teachings spread throughout China and were well established in Korea by the ninth century. Although Zen is usually associated with Japan, it did not take root there until the 12^th century, almost seven hundred years after the death of Bodhidharma.

I don't remember where I aquired this large woodblock print on rice paper.... somewhere on the Asian travels in my youth.

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

Please don't forget to include your mailing address.

Congratulations to Eric Smith of Bel Air, MD

Winner of December's Drawing for the Scorpion Charm woodblock print

This Month's Practice and Naga Offering Calendar

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

This month the Nagas are preparing for their winter season. If you make offerings to them on a teb day, you will enjoy peace and happiness. If you make offerings to them on a dok day, they will feel disgusted by your offering and ﬂee.

The best days to perform offering ceremonies this month are: January 8 and 19.

Do not make offerings on January 13 (full moon).