Tibetan Earthquake Disaster - Temple activities
On April 18th prayers and light offerings were made at Palpung Australasia Centres for victims of the recent Tibetan earthquake.
At Palpung Kagyu Thigsum Chokyi Ghatsal many students gathered some traveling from as far away as Hobart and Railton to participate in special prayers and ceremonies conducted by Venerable Choje Lama Shedrup and assisted by Venerable Lama Tsewang in response to these recent tragic events.
Our deepest sympathies and heartfelt prayers and wishes were extended on behalf of everyone to the victims, their families and friends.
We also have messages from Chamgon Kenting Tai Situ Rinpoche and Thrangu Rinpoche. Please read.
Chamgon Kenting Tai Situ Rinpoche
Each year various natural disasters and man-made disasters happen on this planet. All human beings have a responsibility for the causes and conditions connected with these disasters. Recently many such events have occurred in various parts of the world including a very serious earthquake in Kyegudo, Yushue.
In order to relieve the suffering of those who have lost their lives, and of those who are now recovering from the physical suffering of injuries and the mental pain of losing loved ones, of lost houses, monasteries and belongings, and also for the prevention of future natural disasters and man-made disasters, humankind must join hands together around the globe as one great family and make the sincere aspiration for a better relationship with the natural environment. Sincere, pure motivation with limitless dedication is the most effective spiritual means to have an impact on many levels. For that reason, on April 22, 2010 Chamgon Dorje Chang Kenting Tai Situpa gave the Red Vajra Crown blessing followed by the Vajra Sattva Jangchog Puja in the Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat courtyard. This ceremony was dedicated for all those who lost their lives, most especially those harmed by recent natural disasters around the world and specifically those in Kyegudo, Yushue.
At the end of the day Kenting Tai Situpa gave the Empowerment of Vajrasattva as part of the ten-day Drupchen puja, during which Vajrasattva blessing pills were distributed. This initiation was dedicated to the purification of all negativities from the entire world and to bring about peace and harmony. On this day 800 ordained Sangha of Palpung Sherabling, 100's of International disciples and Mahamudra practitioners with 100's more lay devotees participated in this auspicious ceremony.
On April 14th, 2010 Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa called on all the Sangha of Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat and all the International students present for Mahamudra transmissions, to participate in an urgent gathering to perform a grand Monlam and Ten Thousand Lamp offerings in the court yard of the main monastery.
These prayers were dedicated to the victims of several recent, unimaginable tragedies: the recent earthquakes in South and central America which caused enormous damage and the loss of many lives; the plane crash over Russia which took the life of Poland's President Kaczynski, his wife Maria and 130 others; and just this week, the massive earthquake which hit Khegudo, Nangchen and Yushu killing many hundreds of people and leaving many hundreds of others injured, with school buildings, monasteries and family homes in ruins throughout.
Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa in his enlightened Bodhisattva activity, arranges grand Monlam Prayers and Butter Lamp offerings whenever such disasters occur. These prayers are dedicated, as always, simply and sincerely so that all living beings who have lost their lives in these events may have better rebirths and rest in peace, while those who survive may recover swiftly and easily. We also dedicate with the aspiration that these kinds of disasters never happen again and that our planet remain in harmony.
http://www.palpung.org/newspage/custome.asp?thereleasedate=2010041601
http://www.palpung.org/newspage/custome.asp?thereleasedate=2010042403
http://www.palpung.org/newspage/custome.asp?thereleasedate=2010041701
Thrangu Rinpoche Message
Statement on Thrangu Monastery Earthquake from Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
April 15, 2010
There are many disasters caused by the four elements--earthquakes, wildfires, strong winds, and turbulent seas--and they also bring disease and illness. In such a time, we need to be careful and practice the Dharma as much as we can.
Jyekundo in Tibet is a small and sparsely populated area, but it is a place where there are many Tibetan people, and there are also many monasteries. At Thrangu Monastery in Jyekundo, many of the lamas and monks--both those abroad and those on site--have put in tremendous efforts for many years. These efforts have not just been in terms of external things; they have also put effort into spiritual practice. In terms of study and contemplation, a monastic college for the study of texts and philosophy was founded. It gradually grew and there formed a body of students and scholars, who are the foundation of the teachings. A primary school to provide basic education for young students had also been built.
In terms of meditation, a retreat center for the practice of the Six Yogas of Naropa was built where monks engaged in practice. Another retreat center for the practice of the deities who purify the lower realms, Sarvavid Vairochana and Protector Akshobhya, had been restored and retreatants were doing the practices of those deities. A Mahakala retreat center was built during the time of Karmapa Thekchok Dorje (1798-1868) and contained a statue of Mahakala. Here, daily practices had been held for many generations. In addition, there was a large new temple where daily services were held.
Now there has been the terrible earthquake in Jyekundo, Qinghai, and these structures have all been ruined. Additionally, many monks have passed away in the earthquake. This is a great tragedy and a great obstacle. Please think of this and make good prayers on the behalf of all those who passed away. If you gather merit by helping with the relief and restoration, it will be helpful for the world in general and in particular prevent the Dharma from disappearing. It is important that the lineage of teaching and practice not wane: Without a lineage of teaching and practice, the Dharma would perish.
Sometimes people might think that temples and monasteries are not all that important. However, there are both transient sentient beings and the lasting external environment. With sentient beings, there might be many for a while, including great scholars and meditators. Great lamas might appear. There may be many members of the Sangha, but just as water flows downstream, fifty, sixty, seventy, or eighty years later they will all pass away and a new generation will come. When this happens, even if there were a strong lineage of Dharma in the previous generation, we do not really know whether that lineage would continue in the next.
The way that the lineage can continue from generation to generation is to have a good, stable outer environment.
When there is the external environment of a monastery with a shrine, retreat center, and monastic college, then due to that place, the Sangha, great lamas, and great meditators might pass away but the continuity of their activity will remain present there.
This is why restoring monasteries is crucial. If the monasteries fall into ruins, the environment declines as well and the inhabitants gradually disappear. Buddhism would not be able to remain long in this world. But if a monastery continues to exist, the great lamas and masters can perform vast activity for the Dharma during their entire lives. A group of students will gather; the lamas will teach the students; and they will practice.
Thus gradually the students will spend the first part of their lives studying and practicing the Dharma and the latter part upholding, protecting, and spreading Buddhism. When that generation comes to its end, a new generation can continue that work, upholding, protecting, and spreading the teachings, which can thus remain. This is why temples and the Sangha are so very important.
If sponsors can make contributions and help in either large or small ways, that would be wonderful. We spend this life gathering wealth and possessions, and sometimes this can be meaningful, but sometimes there is the danger that this might become the grounds for conflict and dispute. For that reason, I ask all the faithful benefactors to help in any way you can.
--Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
HOW TO DONATE DIRECTLY
The quickest way to help Thrangu Monastery is to donate directly to Lodro Nyinma Rinpoche's (Abbot of Thrangu Monastery) foundation account in HK. He can then withdrawal directly inside affected area: They desperately need rice and flour to feed the survivors.
Here's the wire transfer info:
Bank Name: The Bank of East Asia, Limited
Branch: Queen's Road Central Branch
Account Name: Lodroe Nyima Charity Foundation Limited
Account No.: 015-187-25-00453-6
SWIFT Code: BEASHKHH
Branch telephone No.: +852 2805-2206
Branch Address: Shop A-C, G/F. Wah Ying Cheong Central Building, 158-164 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong.
Foundation Contact:
Phone: (852) 3163 1000
Email: infoundation@yahoo.com
