Transform tragedy into positive source to rebuild, His Holiness tells Japan tsunami victims

Saturday, November 05, 2011

Tibet.net

His Holiness the Dalai Lama surveys the damage done by the tsunami that devastated the area last March in Ishinomaki, Japan, on November 5, 2011. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL

SENDAI, Japan-- Surrounded by a trail of wreckage including a burned school building and vast expanse of flattened land where once life flourished before a devastating earthquake and tsunami took its toll, hundreds of Japanese with hope visible in their eyes eagerly waited on this cold and gray morning for a friend who promised to share their sadness.  
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Many people, who have lost their loved ones in the worst hit area of Ishinomaki, sobbed in grieve and hope as His Holiness the Dalai Lama walked into Koushoji temple, where he was invited to preside over a prayer service. Located in close proximity to the coastline, over 4,000 people died and many still missing in this region alone as tsunami waves triggered by a 9 magnitude earthquake crushed people and flattened houses across miles on 11 March.

Senior Japanese monks and lay people, sitting both in and outside the temple, recited the heart sutra (Sherab Nyingpo) in Japanese. It followed by the recitation of Tibetan version and a set of prayers by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in front of a golden statue of Buddha.  

Addressing the audience members, particularly those who lost their families and friends as brothers and sisters, His Holiness said: "My main purpose of visit is to share your feeling of pain and suffering in this hour of tragedy."

His Holiness recounted that "as soon as he heard the tragedy through the BBC he immediately felt great sadness and pain. As a same human being and a friend of the Japanese people, I immediately made a plan to go to the affected areas and meet the victims to share their sadness. So, I am here today and my dream is fulfilled," he said.

"On the way I saw lots of damage and destruction caused by the tsunami. I was very much moved and had tears in my eyes," His Holiness said.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking at Saikoji Temple in Ishinomaki, Japan, on November 5, 2011. Photo/Kimimasa Mayama

Boosting the morale of the affected people, His Holiness praised the spirit of Japan's resilience to rebuild their country from the ashes after the Second World War. "During the time of tragedy we must utilise human intelligence to think broadly and transform tragedy into enthusiasm towards rebuilding a better future. Japan faced enormous destruction after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the world war. But because of your spirit of self-confidence and determination, you were able to rebuild your country from the ashes. Now, you must combine self-confidence and hard work to rebuild your town," His Holiness said.  

"Provide education to the children so that they could lead a happy new life," he said.

As a further source of encouragement, His Holiness recounted his own sad experience since he lost his country after the invasion by communist China. "But I used my intelligence and belief in truth and self-confidence to turn the tragedy into a source of inner strength. So, even after more than 50 years, I have kept alive my determination and self-confidence," he said.

After speaking for some time inside the temple, His Holiness expressed his eagerness and determination to speak to hundreds of people sitting and standing outside. He reiterated that he was really moved when he saw faces of the victims.

He further said we must look at the problems in a realistic and holistic way as suggested by a great Buddhist master. "Look at the tragedy with a holistic way instead of worrying about it. And with hard work, you can then overcome the problem."

From the Buddhist perspective, His Holiness said everything is caused by the law of causality. He said wrong deed committed by an individual in a previous life materialises in this life. Similarly, when circumstances are rife, people with same accumulated negative Karma living in one area would face collective negative result. Deeds accumulated in previous lives cannot be erased for eons.

However, His Holiness said, we can eliminate and reduce the effects of previous negative actions. "We must develop more force of positive action, which is more powerful than the force of its negative counterpart. This can be developed by leading your life in a truthful and honest way," he added.

In conclusion, His Holiness said emphasised that it is no time to worry or get demoralised. "Instead, you must show the Japanese spirit of determination and self-confidence. You must rebuild this town and set an example to the world of your efficiency and ability," he said.

"Don't forget to invite me after you have rebuilt your town. We will have a big festival here then," His Holiness said.

A group of school children offered bouquets filled with a mosaic of flowers to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in honour of his visit to Ishinomaki.

The head priest of Ishinomaki Buddhist Association expressed his deep gratitude to His Holiness for visiting the region and meeting with the affected people. "We are extremely fortunate to have His Holiness the Dalai Lama among us today to relieve us of suffering. We will send you an invitation after we rebuild our town," he told His Holiness.

Shaking hands with little school children lined outside the temple, His Holiness then left for Sendai to deliver a talk on essential points to consider in overcoming unfavourable situation.