Devastation in Japan - Message from Sogyal Rinpoche

Sogyal as a child

Dear Rigpa Sangha and Friends,

As you know by now, there was a massive earthquake in Japan on Friday, followed by a tsunami with waves as high as 10 metres that surged across parts of the country washing away everything and everyone in its wake. Whole villages have been washed away and huge fires caused by the earthquake are burning, affecting tens of thousands of people. The pictures of the devastation coming from Japan are shocking.

I want to express my deep sadness and heartfelt condolences to all the people of Japan, and especially to those who have lost loved ones. The next few days will be critical, and my prayers are also with all the rescue workers and everyone helping with the recovery effort.

Hundreds of people are already reported dead, hundreds more are missing, including four passenger trains, and police are reporting that 215,000 people have fled their homes. And we don't yet know the full extent of the damage.

There are also serious concerns for the safety of some of Japan's nuclear power plants in the earthquake affected area, and people living near them have been evacuated.

Please join me in holding the Japanese people in your prayers, especially those who have died or been injured, and their families.

Pray that there are no deadly aftershocks, no radiation leaks from the nuclear power plants, no more fatalities, and no obstacles for the rescue and recovery work.

Also remember that many people will have lost their homes and their livelihoods so please also pray for their well-being and safety.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has recommended that Japanese Buddhist practice the Heart Sutra for those who have lost their lives, and to help prevent further disasters in the future, and has organised for it to be recited 100,000 times in Dharamsala for this purpose. And His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa has emphasised that joining together in prayer for those who had suffered in this natural disaster is one way of benefiting beings.

If you would like to make a donation towards the relief effort, you could contact the Red Cross Society in your country, or Medecins Sans Frontieres.

Kalachakra For World Peace 2011 with His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Beginning on July 6, 2011, the 76th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a Kalachakra for World Peace will be offered at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. His Holiness will offer this great ritual empowerment, including preliminary teachings, from July 6 through 16.

The Kalachakra was first given by Shakyamuni Buddha, the historical Buddha, in ancient India. A noble lineage has carried those sacred teachings directly from the Buddha to Washington, DC, in July of 2011. We invite you to take part in this joyful and unprecedented event.

July 6—12

During the first seven days of the Kalachakra, from July 6 through 12, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, along with the monks of Namgyal Monastery and senior lamas, will conduct rituals which prepare and consecrate the venue. These include chanting of prayers, creation of the sand mandala and other ancient rituals
July 9, 10, and 11

His Holiness will give teachings to present the foundations of Buddhist thought on July 9, 10 and 11. His Holiness the Dalai Lama explained the importance of these preliminaries during the Kalachakra offered in Bloomington, Indiana, in 1999:

Pray for the Earth. Pray for Japan. Pray for human kind

Kunzang Palyul Choling


A Message from Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo March 15, 2011

Come Together and Pray for the Earth!

Dear Friends,

I want to ask- beg, really, for all to stop the busy work and pray in whatever fashion you are familiar with. The situation in Japan is spiraling out of control. Please pray for Japan and stay informed! Pray for the Earth as well, as this will affect our planet.

It is time, without self concern or ego to join hands, join hearts, minds, and spirit and encircle the Earth with love and protection. We are spiritual beings, all we see is a hologram projected by our "mind." If we determine we have faith it is time to use it. Without holding back, without prejudice, please join together: Christians, Jews, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Pagan, Sufi, Shinto, indigenous. Let our differences go and join together as never before.

The ground, water, sky, wind is filling with poison. We have the power to transform this poison. Love and compassion are stronger; our very spiritual nature has the power to transform. It must be done purely and without any negativity. If you pray to God, Allah, the Buddhas, Krishna, no matter, it is love and compassion that matters. We must empower ourselves to be "divine" in whatever way we can. It is within us to create the antidote to this.
If our seas are poisoned, our blood will be. If our wind is toxic our breath will be too. If our Earth is poison all our bodies will be as well. We cannot afford to take a vacation from guardianship of this planet. No one will save us but us. It is time to awaken. This is our Mother Earth and we are her children. We cannot fail. Awaken to spirit, to love, to compassion and to responsibility. This is what it is to be human. Human children of our Mother and we must honor her.
Pray for the Earth. Pray for Japan. Pray for human kind.

OM AH HUNG BENZAR GURU PEDMA SIDDHI HUNG!
OM MANI PEDME HUNG!
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA!

Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo