Sending Our Hearts to Those in Kathmandu

Hearing the news about yesterday’s catastrophic earthquake in Kathmandu shook me to my core, seeing the photos of the damage and the continuously rising body count had me in pure agony.

Gripped with fear, constantly checking my phone for news from friends, all who live there and so many that we all know are now in Nepal visiting, and even preparing for this coming summer’s events, I was adamant to verify that my friends and all the monks and lamas were indeed ok. This amazing city, one that I have always called home and felt such a deep and strong connection with has suffered a tragic loss, a mind numbing event that will not be forgotten. Buildings askew and leaning on each other, piles of rubble everywhere, stupas cracked in half, hospitals overflowing with wounded and the certainty that this was only the beginning as the sad news and trembling aftershocks were undoubtably bound to continue. I felt a strong sense of powerlessness - what was I, or rather, any of us to do in a situation like this? Not only powerless but cut off, unable to reach many of my friends as the day wore on, internet and phone coverage to the city of Kathmandu completely mute, a churning, restless sensation of fear and worry had taken over my mind. At one point I realized that if I wasn’t actually there then there was one powerful thing I could do - I could try and slow my mind, and make wishing prayers with all my heart for the wellbeing of all our Nepali friends, and try to hold on to my mind in the moment. Karmapa himself issued a statement, urging us all to do wishing prayers, especially the six syllable mantra of Chenrezig, in aid to our friends trapped in chaos and despair - so this is what I tried to do and I invite you all to do the same with all you have in your heart.

While I was thinking about this all day I was also running around covering the event here with Rinpoche, a bizarre contrast, and despite the gravity of what had happened the ambiance here was more magnetic and purposeful than one would imagine. Despite the devastation we were in a unique position to make something of our time here, so far away and completely unable to help in the traditional and physical way, through the continuing turning of the dharma here and group practice as a community and sangha we were able to make use of this opportunity, and to offer powerful prayers to those in need. As Jigme Rinpoche spoke to the amassed crowd of over 300 you could feel that the teachings were not only a way to develop the dharma, they were indeed a way for us to remain grounded and practicing together. In these moments of powerlessness it’s easy to become entangled in the self, how could one think of self in a time like this, but it’s human nature to feel the need to help others, and the bitter suffering of not being able to do so can be heart wrenching. In the afternoon as the Buddha’s relics were brought out, and long life prayers for the lineage’s masters sung by all, I realized that this was actually the best place I could be in this moment. Surrounded by a strong community of practitioners, with Rinpoche leading us and the relics of the Buddha himself on display, I simply reveled in the fact that we are so very lucky here. Taking the opportunity to attempt to follow Karmapa’s request I used this time as best I could, directly facing the relics of the Buddha to offer my heart to those in Kathmandu, the six syllable mantra echoing in the hall here in Dhagpo, each doing what we could in a desperate moment.

News of my friends slowly came in, it seems that we are very lucky indeed as many if not all seemed to have come through unharmed and breathing, perhaps shaken up and maybe without a place to sleep tonight, but alive. My heart goes out to all those who have suffered the worst of this tragedy, who have lost someone, who lost their homes, their parents and children, their livelihoods, I cannot even begin to try and understand their pain. I am scheduled to be flying to Kathmandu next week, though the airport is now closed, I hope that it will be open soon, so that I can get myself there as quickly as possible and then be physically present to do what I can to help. The Nepalese government has issued a statement saying they will give free visas to those who come to help, hospitals and search and rescue will be in need of everyone and anyone, if you are able, I urge you to do what you can. Be it jumping on a plane, making a financial contribution, or making the strongest wishes you can, each and every one of us can do many things, and this feeling of distance and helplessness can be turned on itself, and bring us together. My heart is with you all in Kathmandu, hoping and praying that you are alright, making the strongest wishes I can in front of the Buddha’s relics. As even today with aftershocks and more news pouring in, the truth seems to be slowly setting in, and we all need to stay vigilant and united, those who have lost have lost so very, very much. In my heart wishing that I could be doing more, and knowing that at least here I have been given the gift of opportunity and practice with my community, so that together from all over the world we can send our hearts to those in Kathmandu.

For more information on how you can help those in need from far away please view this post:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/nepal-earthquake-how-you-can-help-victims-of-the-kathmandu-disaster-10204464.html

And to see Karmapa’s letter follow this link:

https://www.karmapa.org/condolence-letter-earthquake-in-nepal/