Prayer flags (lungta): raising the windhorse as offering and aspiration

Understand and raise prayer flags as the tradition does — a flag of “windhorse” offered with a chant, carrying prayers for the good of all.

Por qué funciona

Lotsawa House’s lungta series gathers chants, many by Mipham Rinpoche, that accompany raising prayer flags. In his Swift Fulfilment of All Wishes the windhorse flag, sounding far and wide, sends out a vast cloud of offerings, made to the root and lineage lamas, yidams, ḍākinīs and protectors, with the prayer that aspirations be fulfilled. The text opens by placing all appearances within the purity of primordial wisdom, so the flag is an offering, not an ornament. Another of Mipham’s texts is a prayer to be written on flags and recited aloud to increase the effectiveness of virtuous activity and bring auspiciousness, and the daily lungta recitation is said to strengthen one’s lungta and protect against obstacles. The mechanism, in the tradition’s terms, is offering and aspiration carried by wind.

Cómo hacerlo

1. Before buying or hanging flags, read one of the short windhorse prayers in translation so you know what the flags carry.
2. Hang them where the wind can move them, and raise them with an aspiration for the benefit of all beings.
3. Recite a windhorse prayer as you raise them, or at least the refuge and a dedication.
4. Treat the flags as you would any text bearing the Dharma; Patrul Rinpoche’s refuge precepts include respect even for torn scriptures.
5. For timing and the disposal of old flags, follow your teacher or local Tibetan community, since customs vary.

Evidencia

Lotsawa House’s lungta series describes its texts as chants accompanying the raising of prayer flags and summarises their purposes. Mipham Rinpoche’s 1903 offering of the windhorse flag supplies the language of offering to the Three Roots and protectors and of appearances within primordial wisdom. Patrul Rinpoche’s refuge precepts include respect for even fragments of scripture. (anecdotal)

These are the tradition’s own purposes for prayer flags; there is no study of them. Customs about colours, timing and old flags differ by region and community and are not set out in the texts cited here.

Fuentes

• Lotsawa House. Lungta (Windhorse) series — chants to accompany the raising of prayer flags, mostly by Mipham Rinpoche.
• Mipham Rinpoche (1903). The Swift Fulfilment of All Wishes — Offering the Flag of Windhorse. Lotsawa House.
• Patrul Rinpoche. An Essential Instruction on Refuge and Bodhicitta. Lotsawa House.

Error común

Using prayer flags as décor — hanging them carelessly or treating them as a vague symbol of peace. In the tradition they are an offering raised with prayer.