His Holiness the Dalai Lama Offers Prayers for Quake-hit Japan
[Saturday, 12 March 2011, 2:31 p.m.]
| His Holiness the Dalai Lama (centre) during a prayer service in Dharamsala, India, in 2010/File |
In
a letter sent on 12 March to H.E. Naoto Kan, the Prime Minister of
Japan, His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his shock and sadness on
hearing the news of yesterday’s earthquake and subsequent tsunami in
Japan.
a letter sent on 12 March to H.E. Naoto Kan, the Prime Minister of
Japan, His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his shock and sadness on
hearing the news of yesterday’s earthquake and subsequent tsunami in
Japan.
DHARAMSALA: His
Holiness offered his prayers for those who have lost their lives and
offered his sympathy and condolences to their families and others
affected by it.
Holiness offered his prayers for those who have lost their lives and
offered his sympathy and condolences to their families and others
affected by it.
He
expressed that we must all be grateful that the Japanese Government’s
disaster preparedness measures have prevented the death and destruction
from being much worse.
expressed that we must all be grateful that the Japanese Government’s
disaster preparedness measures have prevented the death and destruction
from being much worse.
Finally,
as a Buddhist monk who daily recites the Heart Sutra, His Holiness felt
it would be very good if Japanese Buddhists were to recite the Heart
Sutra on this occasion. Such recitation may not only be helpful for
those who have lost their precious lives, but may also help prevent
further disasters in the future. Prayers to recite the Heart Sutra one
hundred thousand times were being organized in Dharamsala for this
purpose.
as a Buddhist monk who daily recites the Heart Sutra, His Holiness felt
it would be very good if Japanese Buddhists were to recite the Heart
Sutra on this occasion. Such recitation may not only be helpful for
those who have lost their precious lives, but may also help prevent
further disasters in the future. Prayers to recite the Heart Sutra one
hundred thousand times were being organized in Dharamsala for this
purpose.
Around 2:46 pm a strong earthquake shook Tokyo city. Epicenter of
the earthquake is believed to be around northeast Japan of Miyagi
prefecture. The 8.9 magnitude earthquake was followed by major tsunami
around the east coast of Japan. The earthquake and the tsunami brought
a lot of damage to the lives and properties with more than 1000
confirmed death, and many still missing. Tsunami virtually swallowed a
town; many lost their homes and are sheltered in temporary shelters.
the earthquake is believed to be around northeast Japan of Miyagi
prefecture. The 8.9 magnitude earthquake was followed by major tsunami
around the east coast of Japan. The earthquake and the tsunami brought
a lot of damage to the lives and properties with more than 1000
confirmed death, and many still missing. Tsunami virtually swallowed a
town; many lost their homes and are sheltered in temporary shelters.
The damage in Tokyo city was mild compared to Miyagi and Iwate
prefectures. But the earthquake sent the Tokyoite rushing in panic.
Office files, equipments, books and the goods in the shelves went
haphazard and crashed on the floors. In Shunjuku city of Tokyo, people
poured out and crowded at Shinjuku Gyoen Park for safety from where the
people watched in horror the skyscrapers in pendulum motion. All train
services came to a halt, people crowded for bus and taxi. Roads were
jammed, telephone and mobiles stopped working. The streets were full of
people trying to find their way out to their homes. Many had to walk
for more than four to five hours to home.
prefectures. But the earthquake sent the Tokyoite rushing in panic.
Office files, equipments, books and the goods in the shelves went
haphazard and crashed on the floors. In Shunjuku city of Tokyo, people
poured out and crowded at Shinjuku Gyoen Park for safety from where the
people watched in horror the skyscrapers in pendulum motion. All train
services came to a halt, people crowded for bus and taxi. Roads were
jammed, telephone and mobiles stopped working. The streets were full of
people trying to find their way out to their homes. Many had to walk
for more than four to five hours to home.
Overall damage to the nation is great, fires destroyed dwellings
and properties. Many are rendered homeless. The government has
confirmed the safety of its nuclear stations, and is doing its best to
rehabilitate the people and bring normalcy. Starting from United
States, many countries have promised relief fund and services.
and properties. Many are rendered homeless. The government has
confirmed the safety of its nuclear stations, and is doing its best to
rehabilitate the people and bring normalcy. Starting from United
States, many countries have promised relief fund and services.
–Some of the reports are contributed by Tsewang Gyalpo Arya, Office of Tibet, Tokyo
