Prayer Flags for Battlefields
Dec 13th 2011, (Originally written-January 7, 2011), I am starting my new blog, Prayer Flags for Battlefields.
I am going to attempt to use this blog as a way to monitor the progress of an aspiration I have had for a long time. I think that the net collective negative energy or negative karma that has been generated on planet earth from war and killing has created the much of the negativity we are experiencing in the world at the present time. From these well-known apocalyptic events of the early to mid-twentieth century, in Europe alone, tens of millions have died from war, genocide and other related politically motivated causes in places like: Passendaele, The Hürtgen Forest (Hürtgenwald), Normandy, the Carpathian Mountains, the Isonzo River, and Stalingrad . In fact, I don’t think that I can name a place in Europe, Switzerland withstanding, that hasn’t suffered from the pain of war during the 20th century or hasn’t been a battlefield or killing ground in some capacity. Switzerland, of course, profited from war as the bankers of the world and has, to this day, retained money that belonged to victims of Nazi oppression.
I feel that we can make a positive changes on earth by remembering these places and peoples by raising prayer flags, building stupa’s, and making smoke and fire offerings to the beings that have died horribly violent and lonely deaths at these locales. The shining, positive effects for all beings, not only the ones living near these places, but everywhere all over the globe will be felt eventually. If the outcomes of these meritorious activities are nothing other than remembering the victims of these events in context that doesn’t glorify war then that may be good enough; little drops can eventually fill an ocean.
I hope that whoever reads this will see how that even by hanging 5, 10, 25 or even 108 flags in a place that is marked by war, genocide, or famine that a change in the overall energy of the area can be turned up and made to shine. SO on this day, a day set aside for White Tara on the Tibetan calendar, may this aspiration to send healing and curing energy to places maimed by war and genocide be fulfilled. May all beings find contentment and peace and may war never arise.
At this very moment for the peoples and the nations of the earth, May not even the names disease, famine, war, and suffering be heard. But rather may pure conduct, merit, wealth, and prosperity increase. And may supreme good fortune and well being arise. The Precious Bodhichitta: In those without it, may it be generated; in those who have it, may it never diminish, but always continue increasing. By the Great Longchenpa
