Dalai Lama’s visit can help people overcome disaster in Kyegudo: Karmapa

Friday, April 23, 2010

Phayul
By Phurbu Thinley
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His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa presides over a prayer service for the Kyegudo earthquake victims at the Ramoche Temple of Gyuto Tantric Univesity in Dharamsala, India, Thursday, April 22, 2010 (Photo: Tenzin Wangyal/Phayul)

Dharamsala, April 22: The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee Thursday said a visit by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Kyegudo would prove useful in comforting people devastated by last week’s earthquake.  

“It is His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s wish to visit the quack-hit areas to comfort the victims. And is is my hope and confidence that a visit by His Holiness or, by an emissary of His Holiness can truly help in easing the suffering of the Kyegudo people,” Karmapa said.

“Such a visit can help people in Kyegudo to overcome the tragic disaster,” Karmapa added.

Karmapa, one of the highest ranking reincarnate lamas in Tibetan Buddhism,was speaking to a group of Tibetan media after presiding over a special prayer service organised by the Gyuto Tantric Monastic University here for the earthquake victims.

The monastic University today announced a donation of Rs. 111,111 and its monks have contributed an additional collective sum of Rs. 45,000 towards the earthquake relief measures.

Karmapa also offered condolences and prayers to the victims of the earthquake and expressed respect and admiration for the solidarity and mutual assistance displayed by all sections of Tibetans both in and outside Tibet towards the relief efforts.

“It is with great sadness that we learnt of the devastating earthquake that hit Kyegudo on April 14 causing immense loss of life and damage to property,” the Karmapa said.

His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa presides over a prayer service for the Kyegudo earthquake victims at the Ramoche Temple of Gyuto Tantric Univesity in Dharamsala, India, Thursday, April 22, 2010 (Photo: Tenzin Wangyal/Phayul)

“I would like to express deep sympathy and condolences to the people of Kyegudo on this unprecedented tragedy,” the 24-year old spiritual leader, who arrived in India after escaping Tibet in 2000, added.

Karmapa said he would continue to uphold the victims and survivors of the earthquake in his prayers, and expressed hope that the quack-hit areas would return to normal soon.

Karmapa’s office had earlier announced a donation of US$200,000 towards the earthquake relief works.

“It’s my hope and prayer that the people of Kyegudo can surely overcome the disaster and will find great reserves of strength to rebuild their lives and homes,” Karmapa said, before folding his hands to once again engage in a deeply meditative prayer with a huge congregation of monks in the Ramoche Temple of the Gyuto Tantric Monastic University here.