Nepal Earthquake: Hold Nepalese People in Your Hearts
From Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche:
Dear Shambhala Community:
Since hearing the news of the earthquake and aftershocks, the Sakyong Wangmo and I have engaged in practice and prayer for the families and people of Nepal.
The Sakyong Wangmo spoke with His Eminence, Namkha Drimed Rinpoche, who is in Kathmandu at the Ripa family residence. The Rigon Tashi Choling monastery in nearby Pharpeng sustained minimal damage and no one in the Ripa family or monastery was injured in any way.
The situation in Nepal is very difficult and communication with the rest of the world is still sporadic. We ask that you all hold the Nepalese and Tibetan community in your hearts and personal practice during the coming weeks. In particular, chanting the Seven-Line Supplication to Padmakara and the Shambhala protector practices would be very helpful.
Thank you for supporting our brothers and sisters in Nepal.
With love and blessings,
The Kongma Sakyong
If you can contribute to the rescue and relief efforts in Nepal, please do so; it will be of great benefit. In particular, the refugee Tibetan communities and the hard hit rural Tibetan communities along the border with Tibet, will not be prioritized by more general relief funds or the Nepali government. They desperately need our help. Also, there are communities in Tibet itself that have been severely hit by the quake. There is also damage and some fatalities from the quake in adjoining areas of India, Sikkim, and Bhutan.
Lion’s Roar’s magazine provides an excellent list of organizations to contribute to in their recent article: “How you can help Nepal after the earthquake:”
Additionally, contributions may be made to the Himalayan Children’s Fund. HCF supports the work of Thrangu Rinpoche’s compassionate work and activities in Nepal. Thrangu Rinpoche was one of Chogyam Trungpa’s closest lineage relatives.
Please also dedicate your practice and prayers to the people of Nepal and the Himalayas with the conviction that these prayers and dedicated practices actually do help situations directly.
With gratitude for your compassionate help to those in need,
Greth Patterson, MDiv
Executive Director
Fort Collins Shambhala Meditation Center
