Deep Metta For Japan

Dharamsala, H.P., India--In a letter sent on 12 March to H. E. Naoto Kan, the Prime Minister of Japan, His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his shock and sadness on hearing the news of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan. His Holiness offered his prayers for those who have lost their lives and offered his sympathy and condolences to their families and others affected by it. He expressed that we must all be grateful that the japanese Government's disaster preparedness measures have prevented the death and destruction from being much worse.

Finally, as a Buddhist monk who daily recites the heart Sutra, His Holiness felt 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 disaster in the future. Prayers to recite the Heart Sutra one hundred thousand times were being organized in Dharamsala for this purpose.

--from The Upaya Newsletter 3/14/2011
How To Help:

WORLD VISION--World Vision is accepting donations and will rush food, water, medical supplies and shelters through the Disaster Response Fund.

THE JAPANESE EARTHQUAKE & TSUNAMI RELIEF FUND--The Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Relied Fund was launched by GlobalGiving.org, and has raised over $28,000 in relief funds.

JAPANESE CULTURAL & COMMUNITY CENTER OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA--Paul Osaki, executive director of the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, is pledging 100 per cent of all donations sent to his organization to the relief effort at this time.

TZU CHI FOUNDATION--The Buddhist Compassion Relief, one of the biggest charity groups in Taiwan announced earlier today that it has set up a command center to prepare for launching relief aid to Japan.

Please visit their website at www.tzuchi.org

RED CROSS--Red Cross has a huge presence now in Japan to aid in the relief efforts. Please visit their website at american.redcross.org

Many other worldwide organizations are providing relief aid for Japan, please donate to the organization of your choice!

Through this disaster, we can offer Metta, for all who have lost their lives, for those who suffer the loss of loved ones, home, livelihood, ease and peace of mind, for the fragile nature of our planet and our place here, for our deep interbeing.

Meditate and recite the Heart Sutra.

Above all else, remain a witness to the suffering, and don't turn away with an embittered heart. Practice keeping the heart open and the back strong, even in the midst of great suffering.

Time is fleeting

Do not hold back

Appreciate this precious life.