CỜ PHẬT GIÁO

THE MEANING OF

THE BUDDHIST FLAG

The world's Buddhist flag represents the spirit of the Buddhist religion. The flag was invented by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott (1832-1907), an American who studied Buddhism with the Venerable H. Sumangala, a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka. In 1889, they drew up the Buddhist flag based on the colors of Buddha's halo. These colors are dark blue, yellow, red, white, and orange. Separately as well as combined, the colors have significant meanings. In 1889, the Buddhist flag was displayed for the first time at many Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka during the celebration of Buddha's birthday. Sixty-one years later, on May 25, 1950, the first World Buddhist Conference was organized at Colombo, Sri Lanka. The conference consisted of delegates from 27 different countries from Asia, Europe, and North America. During this first meeting, the delegates agreed on the colors of the flag and its meaning. Today, the Buddhist flag is honored and displayed by approximately 80 countries during Buddhist holidays.

The meanings of the colors on the flag:

1. These are the colors of Buddha's aura:

a. Dark Blue: Meditation

b. Yellow: Wisdom

c. Red : Diligence

d. White: Purity

e. Orange: Compassion.

2. They are the five roots and basic moral powers a Buddhist needs to progress on the road to enlightenment:

a. Dark Blue - Concentration of thought: Do not let the mind wander when performing a task, control it and let it be calm.

b. Yellow - Wisdom: The level of understanding and how things are analyzed and judged.

c. Red - Diligence: Always strive to improve.

d. White - Faith or belief: Believing in Buddha and in oneself.

e. Orange - Thoughts or mindfulness: This has to do with the mind, thoughts, and memories.

3. These are the five things that make up beings:

a. Dark Blue - Material quality or form: The four matters that form us: dirt, water, air and fire.

b. Yellow - Sensation/feeling: Sad, happy, angry, etc.

c. Red - Knowledge and perceptions.

d. White - Action that are in connection with the mind/ conscience: Karmas are results ofactions. In other words, if good deeds are performed, merits will follow. When we do good deeds, our minds are at peace, but when we commit wrongdoing, we feel uneasy and guilty.

e. Orange - Consciousness: The knowledge or the comprehension of all things. It is the most important aspect for all who try to improve their lives. By truly understanding something, one will make the best decisions, otherwise, misjudgment will lead to failure and sufferings.

The combination of all five colors represents peace. This unification of the colors is inseparable. Each of the colors represents one of the five senses. Together the five senses will help attain enlightenment. The colors of the Buddhist flag also represent the non-discrimination of others based upon the color of their skin. Its belief is that everyone is equal. All of us are brothers and sisters who share the same belief, who worship the same religion, and who work together to build a stronger existence of Buddhism for the future. The World Buddhist Flag was displayed in Vietnam for the first time at the Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation conference held at Hanoi in 1951. At the same time, the Vietnamese Buddhism Anthem

"Phật Giáo Việt Nam" was composed by musician Lê Cao Phan. These events brought about more trust and faith in the delegates by all the Vietnamese Buddhists. These events also revived the morality of Buddhism after its absence due to the political circumstances in Vietnam. Wherever the Buddhist Flag is displayed, one can be assured that Buddha's teachings are being practiced and the people there understand the way to Buddhahood.