n conjunction with our cultural studies program MCH students have just completed studying the Sherpas of Nepal. The Sherpas are Buddhists who live in the Himalaya region.
Colorful Buddhist prayer flags are found all over the Himalaya region, outside temples, homes, on holy sites, bridges or mountain tops. Prayer flags are rectangles of cloth strung on long strings or poles so that they may blow in the wind. Words written on the flags ask for qualities such as compassion, peace, harmony, wisdom, and strength, and offer protection. Sometimes there is a picture of a horse at the center of the flag, the Lung-ta or Windhorse. The Windhorse carries the prayers on the wind to the benefit of everyone in the area.
Kindergarten, First Grade,and Junior Class Students designed their own prayer flags with the Windhorse in the center. They then composed their own prayers, hopes, and wishes for people (examples below) that were written on the flags.
“I pray for peace, love, and for a cure for diseases.”
“I hope people will be kind to each other.”
“I hope for trust in people, love in hearts, and friendship in beings.”
“I pray for everyone to have a happy, long life, hope, and peace.”
“I hope people will stop fighting.”
