Flags of Freedom


Image: video still, Tibetan Prayer Flags, Ladakh, India, 2005.

Wind plays
Wind decays
Wind prays
Impermanence
Wind
Free to go

3 comments:

Marcel Baaijens said...

It is quite amazing what people are willing to do 'for God and country'. The best excuse ever to forfit personal responsibility. In wars, both sides pray to God(s), both sides wave their flags, how can there ever be a winner?

Anonymous said...

Marcel, this is something that I too have never understood. How can you kill your fellow human beings in the name of a God or Higher Being that invariably spreads the message of love and respect of others. The Bible is a classic example of a book of stories that tell of inhumane acts on others. Yet these are the messages that are used to teach us to believe in the love of God and for Christians the love of Christ. I do get confused.

These are interesting thoughts to begin my Sunday with!

Marcel Baaijens said...

Tibetan Buddhists use flags to send prayers out. they practice non-atachment, as they recognise atachment as the source of suffering. They put up prayer flags around their house, temples, mountain passes etc. and they let go. They let them decay, as nothing is permanent. This is the opposite of how groups of people such as nations, soccer fans, gangs view and treat their flag. They are so atached to that identity that they are willing to do battle, even to loose their lives to defend...what, an image, a thought?

I love flags. Flags have been part of my upbringing. I no longer view them with patriotism as I once was brainwashed to do. I had a flag pole once, and had a collection of flags. Changed flags all the time which neighbours found quite confusing. There is a house in on the edge of Hataitai and Kilbernie in Wellington that does the same. One day you assume they are greek the next day you think they are dutch or whatever flag they fancied that day. I would love to hear the reactions of the confused people driving past every day, not being able to make sense of it.