Tuesday 25th May 2010
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THRANGU RINPOCHE TRUST
T I B E T E A R T H Q U A K E E M E R G E N C Y
Latest Message from Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
16th May 2010
Our samsaric world is impermanent, and we all experience the karmic results of our acts. Often we experience those results as suffering—there are many disasters in this world, such as wars, plagues, famines, and earthquakes. In the recent earthquake in Qinghai, thousands of people died, thousands of others were left homeless, and many children were orphaned when their parents were killed. The situation is terrible. In particular, the place where I first entered the gate of the Dharma and experienced its blessings, Thrangu Monastery, has been utterly destroyed, including the temple, monastic college, retreat centers, dormitories, and the surrounding houses of lay people. Many people died and it is very difficult.
There has been a great outpouring of generosity and aid. Tibet Thrangu Monastery is a long way off, and in the old days you would never have heard about any earthquake there, but because of science and technological development, people all over the world have heard about it. They have felt compassion and love for the people of Jyekundo and have been very generous in helping, and their aid has been very beneficial. This is actually a sign of what good times we live in. Now many people from all over the world are helping to care for and heal the survivors, and I would like to thank everyone.
When I fled from Tibet to India to India, I did not have a single rupee, but I did manage to build some monasteries in India and Nepal. Actually, I did not build the monasteries: it was the generous sponsors who donated the money that really built the monasteries. I have always made sure that none of the money was wasted, and I am doing the same with the funds that sponsors are giving now. You have all felt compassion and love for people who are far away and given money. This is money you worked hard to earn and save. It did not fall from the sky or grow from the earth. I know what difficulties you have gone through to earn it, so I will make sure that none of it goes to waste. I will take responsibility for it, and you do not need to worry.
The disaster only took a few moments, but its effects will be felt for a long time. It has harmed people economically and educationally as well as physically. Continuing to help these people in the future will be a great benefit for them. If you make a contribution to this effort, I will make sure that none of the money goes to waste. It is our responsibility to make sure that what you give out of love and compassion goes where it is needed and actually helps, and I will look after that. I ask you to please help as much as you can.
Last night I received a phone call from Tibet. They said
that once the 49 day mourning period is over, the monastic college will
resume classes, but because they no longer have a building, they need to
hold classes in tents. It is a hard situation, so any assistance you give
will be helpful.
after
the earthquake showing extensive damage
It has been over one month since the earthquake devastated Kham, East Tibet. Although the death toll has reached just over 2,220, others are still missing and the number of injured is estimated at over 12,000, news of the earthquake is no longer posted on the BBC website in the UK.
Local monks continue to play a crucial role in the aftermath of the disaster, conducting funeral prayers and helping the injured and homeless.
The Abbot of Thrangu Tashi Choling, Lodro Nyima Rinpoche, has been doing all he can to look after the surviving monks at his monastery. So as to bring the monastery’s plight to the attention of the outside world, he has taken numerous photographs, which you can see here.
Photographs of the Thrangu
Tashi Choling Monastery
Earthquake Damage, sent by Lodro Niyma
Rinpoche
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Thrangu Tashi Choling Monastery Destroyed
Many of the Monks are dead - Many Monks are injured
Before the Earthquake
After the Earthquake
Monks hit hard by Earthquake
Survivors cremate their dead
Video
His Holiness the Dali Lama
Talks to the Press About the Earthquake in Kyigudo - here
Be warned: these are very graphic and may not be suitable for children
A Message from Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche following the Earthquake
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
Official reports now indicate that over 1600 people have died in
the disaster the figure may grow
higher as more collasped buildings are excavated. Over 12,000 - are injured. The
freezing temperatures and high altitude have hampered search and rescue teams.
Many hundreds of monks who arrived in the worst-affected areas from
all over the region have been helping to dig out survivors by hand and cremate
the dead. Monks, and rescue workers are also
helping people by handing out food, money and clothes. Many people are still
missing.
The
Thrangu
Tashi Choling monastery
has been destroyed: the main temple managed to withstand the earthquake although
the damage is extensive and it will have to be rebuilt. Survivors are in urgent
need of assistance and Thrangu Rinpoche’s Lamas from centres all over the world
are travelling to the area to help.
Rinpoche’s representative in the UK, Lama Wangyal, has set
up an emergency fund to assist in the relief effort. The fundraising effort has
been going for one week and we would like to extend our profound gratitude to
all those who have telephoned, Emailed, and dropped in to the centre to offer
support. We have received kind messages of support and donations from the UK,
Germany, Poland, Austria, France, Belgium, Finland, Slovenia, Ireland, the USA,
Canada, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, India, Nepal, Malaysia, Taiwan,
Singapore, and other countries all around the World. Many thanks to everyone.
It is essential that we keep the effort going in the days
to come. Please print and/or circulate this appeal to all your contacts. Please
also consider making a donation in one of the following ways:
1) Cheque made payable to: Thrangu Rinpoche Trust - Tibet Monastery
2)
Bank transfer: Bank: Lloyds TSB, Account name: Thrangu Rinpoche Trust - Tibet
Monastery
For UK – Bank Ac. No. 07536475,
Sort Code. 30-12-51
For International - BIC: LOYDGB21317 - IBAN: GB77 LOYD 301251 2004 5368
3)
In person in cash: Treasurer: +44 (0) 7888 700 698
| £ British Pounds | $ US Dollars | € Euros |
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Please clearly state your name and address with each donation, and state that
the donation is to be used for the emergency relief effort at the monastery.
Many thanks for your kind support
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Telephone |
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| UK Office: | +44 (0) 1865 241555 |
| UK Office Fax: | +44 (0) 1865 241555 |
| Lama Wangyal: | +44 (0) 7796 521228 |
| Treasurer: |
+44 (0)
7888 700698 |
E-mail:
treasurer@thranguhouse.org.uk
Emergency Website:
www.thranguemergency.org
Postal Address: Thrangu House, 42
Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX41RB, UK.
Please link to this web site and to our Facebook site
Link to our Facebook page
Thrangu Appeal
Thrangu Tibet Earthquake Appeal