Daruma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, his arms are raised above his head and he is holding a fly whisk used during meditation. He is either yelling or laughing. Copper Kozuka by Toshiyuki 1800’s
Shoo Fly Don’t Bother Me
Through a core virtue of eastern religion, hemp wasn’t only a way of life for ancient humanity, hemp was used to protect it!
Shiva and Parvati on a composite cow made of assembled women as Ganesh waves the Fly Whisk – Unknown, Rajasthan School between 1775-1800
Nonviolence or ‘Ahimsa’, a core belief practiced in Hinduism, Jainism, Daoism and Buddhism, stems from the earlier Sanskrit word for ‘no harm’. The principle was first vaguely mentioned in Vedic Texts dating back thousands of years but by 500 b.c ‘Ahimsa’ had become a central concept making its way into the beliefs of most eastern theologies.
In Jainism, Ahimsa became such a central concept of importance it was listed as the first of the five fundamental Vows known as anuvrata or “small vows” taken by all members of the faith. Those of the faith wishing to become Jain monks, must accept the same 5 vows but swear to a stricter pledge called Mahavrata or the “Great Vows”. To uphold this great vow of non violence, Jain priest sought to protect all life no matter it’s size.
These Jain monks chose not to wear the wool and silk cloths of many locals but chose the animal free option of cotton or hemp. To further aid in this great vow, Jain priest turned to a ancient tool to protect life, the fly whisk. Fly whisks are ancient fly swatter’s mimicking a animals tail to safely shoo away pesky flying insects. Early fly whisks were typically constructed with short wooden handles using animal hair or hemp for the ends, Jain monks again chose hemp.
Not wishing to accidentally harm life while walking the monks also used their whisks to brush away any small creature that may be in their path. So worried over the unintentional loss of life, the monks dawned cotton or hemp masks over the mouth to protect from accidentally breathing in any tiny or unseen creature.
Jain ascetics/monks with mask and brooms, from ‘The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India’, Volume 1 by R. V. Russell 1916
It is believed at Buddha’s birth, he at once arose upright on a lotus flower. The newly born Buddha was protected on the lotus by only a parasol (umbrella) and fly whisk. This whisk came to symbolize not only royalty but also taught the lesson to sweep away of all mental distractions and ignorance.
According to the Binaya Zoji, a early Buddhist text used by the Nichiren sect, Buddha not only ordered all Buddhist monks to use fly whisk’s at all times but also proclaimed they should be made from one of five materials ‘sheep’s wool, finely shredded fabric, old rags, tree branches/twigs or hemp’.
Known in Japan as a hossu, the fly whisk became symbolic of a Zen Buddhist authority to teach and transmit Buddha Dharma (teachings) to others, and is frequently only passed from one master to the next. In Taoism and many Chinese Buddhist sects, the presiding master must hold the fly whisk during all religious debates.
The teachings of the fly whisk became of such importance within the various eastern religions, its image became one of the eight Ashtamangala’s (symbolic attributes) in many sects of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. Held by many deities, these symbolic teaching tools represent the necessary ‘qualities’ to find the path of enlightenment.
Buddhist Priest with Hossu, by photographer Kusakabe Kimbei. Japan 1898
Some how, fly whisks found there way into many ancient cultures around the world. In Africa, the fly whisk has become a sign of royalty still displayed as regalia by leaders like the former Kenyan ruler Jomo Kenyatta.
In the middle east the whisk’s are utilized in the markets by many during the summer months to shoo away the onslaught of flying insects. These whisk’s are constructed of a wooden handle with plant fibers attached to them just like there ancient hemp construction.
The fly whisk even made its way throughout the remote Polynesian islands where it has become a prop during celebrations showing the ultimate symbol of authority. During the design for the Samoan National flag, the fly whisk was the chosen symbol to be carried in the talons of America’s bald eagle.
From: Lane, Edward William. “An Account of the Manners and Customs of the Modern Egyptians, Written in Egypt During the Years 1833, -34, and -35, Partly from Notes Made During a Former Visit to that Country in the Years 1825, -26, -27, and -28. Volume 1”. Charles Knight & Co.: London, 1836. P 178
In the pursuit of enlightenment our ancient ancestors realized hemp was not only a tool and protector of faith, hemp was the answer to protect all life.
A Lady with Flower and Fly Whisk, India 1630