Material: Cotton

Size: 40 x 35 cm (approximate size) * 25 sides

Narration:

When Sakyamuni Buddha was alive, there was a king in India who was very ill. He went to ask the Buddha for advice, and the Buddha explained: This is an obstacle caused by sentient beings (not karmic obstacles from past lives). All you need to do is go to a high mountain and release 100,000 celestial horses sincerely. Because sentient beings usually do not have the opportunity to listen to the Dharma or recite wind horse flags, the ritual of releasing wind horse flags, hanging celestial horse flags, and letting the scriptures on the wind horse flags be recited by the wind can make sentient beings happy, and the merits can be dedicated to the meritorious person who releases the wind horses.

There are four auspicious animals printed on the four corners of the prayer flags (the roc represents wisdom, the dragon represents strength, the lion represents fearlessness and joy, and the tiger represents faith)

The center of the image is usually a strong horse with the Three Treasures of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha on its back burning with flames. The four corners are engraved with four protective gods who can eliminate negative influences. They are the golden-winged bird that symbolizes profound perfection, the dragon that symbolizes penetrating power, the tiger that symbolizes alertness, and the lion that symbolizes victory. This composition represents the five elements of gold, wood, water, fire and earth, implying the cycle of the five elements and the eternal life.

These cloth or paper flags are blown by the wind, so the wind carries this blessing power. When the wind blows, wherever the wind blows, people and animals who inhale the wind will receive the blessing of the wind horse.

 The holy Bodhisattva Mipham Rinpoche said: "Benefit from the present celestial horse flag." Paint the image of the wisdom deity and the mantra on the five-colored flag, write your own name and zodiac sign on it, and hang it in a sacred place such as the Padmasambhava secret realm. The five-colored celestial horses will flutter in the wind, and wherever they go, they will be blessed by the Buddha. All sentient beings will be able to establish a connection with the Three Jewels and obtain this endless good karma and merit. The merit is dedicated to the donor, who will obtain immeasurable good karma rewards. The purpose of hanging this sutra is to restore the declining health, power, and wealth, to make the body and mind at peace, to increase blessings and longevity, to make one’s power and reputation spread far and wide, and to make one’s career flourish. One’s blessings and virtues will increase day by day. It can also drive away all enemies, viruses, demons, and adverse conditions, break through external, internal, and secret obstacles, and accomplish all worldly and transcendental benefits, which will spread throughout the ten Dharma realms.

Banner is a general term for flags, and can also be written as "banner". Both pennants and banners are solemn instruments for offering to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, used to symbolize the power and virtue of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. In Buddhist scriptures, they are often used as symbols of subduing demons. In the "Avatamsaka Sutra, Chapter of Ten Dedications", it says: "May all sentient beings always use precious silk to write the correct Dharma, and protect the Dharma treasures of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas." This means writing the sutras and mantras on banners.

It is often mentioned in scriptures that setting up banners can gain blessings, avoid suffering, and lead to rebirth in the Pure Land of Buddhas. It is also said that offering banners can gain Bodhi and merit, so they are often used in temples and monasteries, making them a solemn ritual instrument.

 The "Medicine Buddha Sutra", "The Sutra of Rebirth in the Ten Directions According to Wishes" and Volume 4 of "The Orthodox Buddhism" also say that hanging a banner at the time of death can prolong life or bring blessings. These are the "life-extending banner" and the "life-ending banner".

In Tantric Buddhism, it is said that the flag has infinite Buddha virtues. If a practitioner touches the flag with his head, he will attain enlightenment and become a Buddha in the next life. This is called the initiation flag. The Secret Treasure Record also says: "People in the world all use the banner to initiate, so the merit of the banner first makes one a wheel king, and then eventually becomes a Buddha and attains Buddhahood, which is called initiation."

Reference: Online information