APPEALS

Thrangu Monastery in Tibet Close to Epicenter of Devastating Quake on April 14, 2010 + Updates

Thrangu Monastery in 2004 Thrangu Monastery after Earthquake Closeup: Thrangu Monastery See below for relief agency links Update—May 24, 2010 It has been over a month since the earthquake in Tibet that devastated Thrangu Monastery. Ten of Thrangu Rinpoche's senior monks have had the opportunity to travel to Tibet, where they gave out aid to the survivors, said prayers for the deceased, and helped to assess the damage. April and May are spring in Tibet, and, as in many places, storms come along and the winds are strong, whipping up the dry earth into whirlwinds. This year the dust from the collapsed buildings has added to the thick clouds, and when the rains come, they cover the tents in mud. Despite the many hardships, the Thrangu monks are continuing to say prayers for the monks and villagers who have passed away. After the traditional forty-nine days of ceremonies, classes will start again at the monastery's College of Higher Buddhist studies, but this time in tents. Donations from abroad have been extremely helpful in providing food, medicine, and shelter and are always welcomed with gratitude. Update—April 30, 2010 More clear and detailed information from Tibet: twenty-three monks were killed; nine with serious injuries are in the hospital; around forty have a range of injuries that are being treated on site as best as possible. Structural damage on all the remaining buildings has been confirmed, so they will have to be taken down before reconstruction can begin. Monks continue to search through the ruins. Many of the clay and wooden statues have collapsed but the seven large metal Buddhas reveal only minor damage. Texts are being retrieved from the institute for higher Buddhist studies, and the large Buddha statue there has been pulled out. As they move across the land of their former home, the monks walk carefully to avoid the fissures that have opened up in the earth. In Hong Kong, Thrangu Rinpoche is conducting a course on the transference of consciousness at death and also discussing with his senior monks the next steps to take in Tibet, including possibly moving the monastery to a new and safer site. Whatever decision is made, financial support is needed to reconstruct the monastery and any donations toward the project will be greatly appreciated. Update—April 21, 2010 "Of the monks Thrangu Rinpoche sent to Tibet, the first two went directly to visit his injured monks in the hospital. Thrangu Rinpoche said that the death of the monks was a special loss as they had been training for years, developing their qualities and abilities through study and practice. They are a precious treasury of Dharma teachings. After the hospital visit, the two lamas traveled to the monastery to see for themselves the damage and discuss with the Abbot, Lodro Nyima Rinpoche, plans for the future. After taking care of the living and the dead, the monks on site are starting to search through the rubble for buried statues and other precious objects, plus their own personal effects. Thrangu Rinpoche said that, different from huge floods or a raging fire, after an earthquake there are some objects that can be retrieved and repaired. As the photographs show, however, the buildings are almost a total loss, for even those standing have cracks and structural instabilities that make them unfit for use. All will have to be reconstructed." News of Thrangu Monastery—April 18, 2010 Thrangu Monastery in Tibet was near the epicenter of the devastating quake on April 14. It was almost completely destroyed and many of the monks were killed or are missing. Over many years, the monastery had been rebuilt through the hard work of the monks and local people. They built and rebuilt many structures, including new temples, an institute for higher Buddhist studies, and traditional retreat center. The quake destroyed everything—all these plus the monks' dwellings and the smaller temples as well. All that was left standing was one temple and a kitchen, and their condition is uncertain. The local village, which has supported the monastery for generations, was also devastated and thousands of people died or were injured.

The response in Tibet has been heartfelt and immediate. Thousands of monks from monasteries belonging to all traditions have come to the area to help. The surviving monks from the monastery are saying prayers day and night for the dead and injured. On April 17th, with broken wood from the collapsed structures, many bodies of the lay people were cremated on the mountain near the monastery and those of the monks on the next day. Thrangu Rinpoche is sending twelve senior lamas, who head his centers around the world. They will help people and start the long process of rehabilitation and rebuilding.

At the great stupa in Boudhanath, Nepal, prayers were said by monks from all the Kagyu monasteries on the 15th and by Thrangu Rinpoche's monks and nuns on the 16th. Pujas are continuing from early morning throughout the day, and on the 18th, the Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinle Dorje sponsored a day's puja for all those who passed away. Students and centers from all over the world are organizing prayer services and collecting donations to help the relief efforts.

In speaking of the tragedy, Thrangu Rinpoche said that the monastery was devastated: "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."

The people and the monastery are in great need of help. Many are seriously injured, and all are homeless in the high altitude's cold weather. Donating now will give them hope and make a big difference in their lives.

Himalayan Children's Fund
www.rinpoche.com/hcfindex.htm
A US-based charity that supports Thrangu Monastery in Tibet as well as Thrangu Monastery in Nepal and related projects.

The Vajra Vidya Foundation
www.vajravidyacanada.org
A registered Canadian Charity for the Very Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche's projects.

Thrangu Dharma Society Petaling Jaya (Malaysia)
www.thrangumy.com