Materials: Fabric, Embroidery, Dharma Banner, Eight Auspicious Symbols, Six-Syllable Mantra, One Pair

Size: 12 feet (approximately 360 cm) (Heavy Material)

Description:

The Dharma Banner (Sanskrit: dhvaja, transliterated as "dharma banner" or "ketu"), also known as the Treasure Banner, Heavenly Banner, or Victory Banner, is an important offering and symbol in Buddhism. It is typically made of silk, satin, or silk fabric and is shaped like an upright rectangle or barrel. The top may be topped with a wish-fulfilling jewel (called a wish-fulfilling banner or a mani banner), or decorated with silk ribbons, colorful paintings, embroidered Buddha images, or even inscribed with scriptures (called a sutra banner). In Tibetan Buddhism, it is considered one of the "Eight Auspicious Treasures," symbolizing victory and auspiciousness.

The Role of Dharma Banners in Buddhist Ritual

In Buddhist rituals, Dharma banners play multiple roles, primarily as offerings, decorations, and symbolic symbols, adorning temples, shrines, and images of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. More than just a visual ornament, they carry profound religious significance, helping believers express respect and enhancing the sacred atmosphere of the ceremony. Specifically:

- **Offering and Dignity**: Dharma banners are often used in Buddhist ceremonies, celebrations, and daily offerings as part of offerings to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Along with flags, streamers, umbrellas, and canopies, they are common decorative offerings in Buddhist rituals. For example, in temples and monasteries, Dharma banners are hung or erected around altars and pagodas as a symbol of reverence for the Dharma. Offering Dharma banners is believed to bring special rewards, such as accumulating merit and auspicious blessings. In Tibetan Buddhist rituals, victory banners often appear in mandalas and ceremonial settings, adorn sacred sites such as the Potala Palace, and serve as amulets for bodhisattvas.

**Symbolic Role**: The Dharma banner represents victory and a spiritual banner, symbolizing the victory of the Dharma over ignorance, obstacles, and demonic forces. In rituals, it is used to "erect the Dharma banner," meaning to establish a monastery or spread the Dharma, emphasizing the Buddha's divine power as the "King of the Dharma." Certain bodhisattva statues, such as Ksitigarbha and Wind God in the Garbha-dhatu Mandala, Bhaisajyaguru in the "Amida Buddha Welcoming the Twenty-five Bodhisattvas," and the Bodhisattvas of the Way in the Dunhuang murals, all hold Dharma banners, symbolizing the guidance of sentient beings out of the sea of ​​suffering. During ordination, altar openings, and large-scale ceremonies, the Dharma banner may also be used as part of rituals to help participants focus on the victory and spread of the Dharma.

**Practical and Ritual Application**: During specific rituals, Dharma banners may be hung on either side of the hall or placed on a pole as a mobile offering. Some types, such as the human head banner (topped with a human head or skull), are used in rituals of the contemplation of impurity or tantric practices, reminding practitioners of impermanence and liberation. Overall, it not only enhances the visual solemnity of the ceremony but also strengthens the spiritual resonance of participants, serving as a bridge between the secular and the sacred.

Origin of the Dharma Banner

The origin of the Dharma banner can be traced back to ancient Indian secular culture, later absorbed by Buddhism and imbued with religious significance. Originally, it originated as a symbol of military and royal power:

- **Secular Origins**: In ancient India, the banner resembled a military flag or a royal ceremonial object, used to command troops or signal authority. For example, the Yanmi Sutra states: "The banner is childish, with a childlike appearance, representing the banner that stands out from the army." This emphasizes its distinctiveness and independence in military contexts, similar to a general's command flag. Kings also used banners as ceremonial weapons during their travels, symbolizing victory and dominance.

- **Buddhist Transformation**: After the rise of Buddhism, this secular symbol was incorporated into the religious system. The Buddha was revered as the "King of Dharma," endowed with the power to subdue all demonic forces. Therefore, the banner was used as an offering to the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, symbolizing the victory and majesty of the Dharma. The Mahavairocana Sutra Commentary records its Sanskrit origins and distinguishes the subtle differences between a banner and a flag: Banners are adorned with colorful silk banners, emphasizing their decorative nature. References to "banners" in Buddhist texts such as the Lotus Sutra and the Amitayus Sutra indicate their presence in early Buddhism. As Buddhism spread, the Dharma banner evolved within Han, Tibetan, and Theravada Buddhism. For example, the Tibetan word "rgyal mtshan" means a symbol of victory and has become one of the eight auspicious symbols.

This origin reflects Buddhism's borrowing and transformation of secular elements, transforming military victory into spiritual victory, emphasizing the inner subjugation of ignorance rather than external conquest.

Stories and Legends Related to the Dharma Banner

Although the Dharma banner appears frequently in Buddhist literature as a symbol and artifact, there is no single, specific story or legend specifically describing its origin. However, it is closely tied to core Buddhist narratives, particularly the Buddha's enlightenment and subjugation of demons, which can be seen as the foundation for its symbolic significance:

- **Connection with the Buddha's Subjugation of Demons**: The symbol of victory of the Dhamma Banner is often associated with the story of the Buddha's subjugation of the demon king Mara during his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. According to texts such as the "Buddha's Original Life," the Buddha's wisdom overcame the temptations and attacks of the demonic host, a feat seen as the victory of the Dharma over ignorance. The Dhamma Banner thus became a metaphor for "building a Dhamma banner," symbolizing the Buddha's establishment of a monastery and the spread of the Dharma. While there is no direct story, this event laid the foundation for the Dhamma Banner's symbolic significance.

- **Legends of Bodhisattvas Holding the Banner**: In certain bodhisattva stories, the Dhamma Banner appears as an object held. For example, the names of Vajra-ketu-bodhisattva and Ratna-ketu-tathagata contain the character "banner," symbolizing solidity and treasure. These bodhisattvas are depicted in texts such as the Avatamsaka Sutra as protectors of the Dharma, holding Dharma banners to guide sentient beings. Related legends emphasize their role in overcoming obstacles in their practice throughout countless lifetimes.

- **Historical and Cultural Stories**: In Chinese Buddhist history, such as during the Wuyue Kingdom period (893-978), Dharma banners were widely constructed as stone stupas to protect Buddhism and spread the teachings. This reflects the Dharma banner's role in regional dissemination, but it is not a mythological story. In Tibetan Buddhist legend, victory banners are associated with the banners of mythical heroes such as Indra, symbolizing divine victory, but lack detailed narratives.

Overall, the story of the Dharma banner is more embedded in the overall Buddhist doctrine than a stand-alone legend. It emphasizes the theme of spiritual victory and encourages practitioners to reflect on the power of the Dharma through these objects in their daily rituals.