Dalai Lama leads prayers for victims of Tibetan quake

Hundreds of monks, nuns and others gathered in main temple of Dalai Lama at McLeodgnaj today morning to pray for the victims of earthquake in Tibet. Meanwhile, at the temple at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in the Tibetan settlement of Bylakuppé, Karnataka, the Dalai Lama prayed for victims of the earthquake.

The regions of Tibet struck most severely by the earthquake were Shigatsé and Dingri. The principal monastery in Shigatsé is Tashi Lhunpo, which was founded by the First Dalai Lama, Gyalwa Gendun Drup, was the seat of the Panchen Rinpochés, said a release by the Central Tibetan administration.

The Dalai Lama is presently staying at the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in South India. His joined a large assembly to pray for the people of Shigatsé and Dingri.

Prayers began with the ‘Three Continuums, a praise and supplication to the Buddha, followed by the verse for taking refuge and generating the awakening mind of Bodhichitta. Prayers continued with the ‘Prayer of the Four Immeasurable Wishes’ and the ‘Samantabhadra Prayer—the King of Prayers’. Tibetan butter tea and bread were distributed and offering prayers were said to bless them.