Dharamsala: Yesterday the 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Kyegundo in the Kham province of Tibet (Yushu: Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province), killing hundreds and injuring thousands. According to recent reports 15,000 residential buildings have been destroyed and residents have been forced to relocate.
More than 85 per cent of the houses have collapsed in Kyegundo, mostly made of mud and wood.
In the Kyegundo province, Towns and villages are remote and rescuers are working hard in the high altitude area to recover any survivors from the quake.
Last night, the Tibetans held prayers at the main Buddhist Temple in Dharamsala, gathering in solidarity for the victims of the devastating quake.
The Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee expressed his sorrow for the catastrophic loss of human life and severe destruction. He will be leading prayers with groups from Kagyü Monasteries in India, nepal and Bhutan. The virtuous activities conducted are dedicated to the deceased, so that their fears of the transition between life and death is eased. Special prayers will also be offered for any great masters from all the Tibetan spiritual Lineages whose lives may have been lost.
"I am holding the survivors of the tragedy in my thought as well, and I hope that aid quickly reaches them. By bearing witness to the harshness of cyclic existence, may we all be able to extend our effort in meaningful ways, for the sake of both the living and the dead".
