His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Trust offers donation for recovery efforts in Japan [Wednesday, 6 April 2011, 3:07 p.m.]

His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Representative Mr Lhakpa Tshoko (left) handing over the bank draft of Yen 10,000,000 to the Japanese Red Cross Society’s senior officer (right) in Tokyo on 4 April 2011.

TOKYO:
As a mark of sympathy and solidarity with the people of Japan, His
Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Trust has offered a token donation towards
the speedy recovery of people affected by the devastating earthquake,
tsunami and nuclear plant disasters in Japan. His Holiness
the Dalai Lama’s Representative for Japan & East Asia, Mr Lhakpa
Tshoko, handed over the token donation of Yen 10,000,000 from His
Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Trust and contributions from Tibetan
community in Japan (Yen 412,000) and Gu-Chu-Sum Association (Yen
229,411) to the Head office of Japanese Red Cross Society in Tokyo on 4
April. Representative Lhakpa Tshoko also conveyed His
Holiness the Dalai Lama’s message to Japan in which he expressed his
deep sadness over the great loss of life and property in the tragedy.
“As a Buddhist monk who daily recites the Heart Sutra, His Holiness
feels that 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. The next day of the earthquake
His Holiness initiated a special prayer session at Tsulagkhang Thekchen
Choeling joined by monks, nuns from various monasteries and common
Tibetans in Dharamsala and also simultaneously in Tibetan monasteries
in South Indian to recite the Heart Sutra one hundred thousand times
for the victims of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster,” the
message noted. In accordance with His Holiness’ message the
Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Japan and East Asia
also organised special prayer session at Gokokuji Temple in
collaboration with non-sectarian Japanese Sanga group (Shuha Koetta
Soryo Zaieki no Kai) with special understanding and cooperation from
the Gokokuji Temple. It was well attended by more than 200 Japanese and
Tibetan monks and common people from various walks of life. The
Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Tokyo had made DVDs
the containing the Japanese version of the explanation on the Heart
Sutra given by His Holiness during his visit to Japan last year. The
office initially made the DVDs for commercial purpose. But following
the tragedy that struck Japan on 11 March and the subsequent message
given by His Holiness on the recitation of Heart Sutra, the Liaison
office called on over 2,000 Buddhist monasteries in Tokyo and Yokohoma
to organise the recitation of prayers. Each of the 2,000 monasteries
were provided with the DVDs free of cost. The monasteries have
expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the Liaison Office of His
Holiness the Dalai Lama for their efforts in distributing the DVDs of
Heart Sutra. The office continues to receive words of gratitude from
many Buddhist monasteries in Japan for the Tibetan people’s support for
the Japanese people.