receive our newsletters
join Friends of FPMT
Kopan monks ready to distribute water, Kathmandu, Nepal, April 28, 2015. Photo by Phil Hunt.
29 April 2015, 8 p.m. Kathmandu time
From Ven. Sarah Thresher:
Teachings canceled today [at Kopan]. Most people went down to help in diverse ways: distributing food in Bhaktapur, moving rubble, collecting garbage. In Durbar Square they found one person still alive as well as many bodies. They say the energy of everyone working together – Westerners, Nepalis, etc. was very inspiring.
27 April 2015, evening
From Phil Hunt, coordinator of the Animal Liberation Sanctuary at Kopan Monastery:
… The afternoon field trip [to check on animals] was delayed due to more rain. This is supposed to be the dry season with increasing temperatures and dust storms. Yet Kathmandu has had many alternate days of rain this month already and more to come. The roads become muddy and slippery and the moisture weakens buildings where new faults lie. Locals are worried that the real rain coming during the monsoon will result in more collapses of otherwise strong looking buildings.
Finally a let up in the weather allowed Pema [manager of the Animal LIberation Sanctuary] and myself to go out to survey the Boudha area – the heart of Tibetans in Kathmandu. The majestic stupa is normally radiating calm amid swaying lines of fluttering prayer flags. Now the golden apex is askew with deep cracks on several sides and the prayer flags have fallen. The bustling circuit around the stupa is still very quiet with few shops and cafes open and even fewer people circumambulating the holy object. Tourists are almost non-existent. However, the boom-boom of Tibetan Buddhist drums comes from a monastery as the monks return to buildings to do prayers.
The “stupa dogs” that we saw had no injuries. Pema gave the pigeons some food, as did some passing monks.
Tent city where Animal Liberation Sanctuary manager Pema and his family are camped out, Kathmandu, Nepal, April 27, 2015. Photo by Phil Hunt.
South of the stupa and closer to the airport is a large makeshift tent city. Thousands of people are sheltering here out of the adjacent high-rise apartments of the area. Most shops are still shut and people are still making do with what they brought with them. It will still be another night or two before they feel comfortable to return to their homes, although, thankfully, now the atmosphere is much more cheerful. People I spoke to felt more relaxed and that the worst of the danger was over. …
Water will be the biggest concern and it always is in short supply at the best of times. At Kopan Monastery a meeting was called for all international visitors. People who could leave were encouraged to head to a functioning hotel but to wait 2-3 days before attempting the airport, where long queues and chaotic conditions ruled. Scheduled flights were disrupted to allow for essential aid flights. The roar of the big military planes is both chilling and heartening in equal measure. For those guests remaining [at Kopan], water conservation is the rule. One of the large water tanks is broken and the daily pumping of water to keep this monastery on top of the hill running can only be done with the twice-daily dose of generator power. ‘Please don’t flush’ was the request.
After our visit we returned to check on the animals [at the sanctuary]. Pema finished the round of daily wound treatment and medicines, particularly for Kalden the calf who is almost fully recovered from terrible wounds back in January when we were notified of his near-death state. He has become a great friend to Christmas [the cow] who generally can’t socialize with the other cows as he has a congenital condition that restricts his mobility.
We double check food supplies. There is enough for the cows for 10-14 days, which is hopefully enough to get through the shortage that will ensue soon. The goats’ stores were restocked the day before the earthquake and will be adequate for at least a month. Beyond that the price may be affected, but hopefully supplies will be available.
Tomorrow we will head out to worse affected areas so that we can provide assistance to any injured animals.
Samadhi the goat at the Animal Liberation Sanctuary being held by the caretaker (who’s from Tsum) while Pema (the manager) treats him, Kathmandu, Nepal, April 28, 2015. Photo by Phil Hunt.
To read more from Animal Liberation Sanctuary coordinator Phil Hunt, visit the Tree of Compassion news blog.
For the latest updates and news from Kopan Monastery and other FPMT centers and projects in Nepal affected by the earthquake, visit our “Updates from Nepal after the Earthquake” page: https://fpmt.org/nepal-earthquake/
To learn more and offer support to the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund visit:
https://fpmt.org/support/socialservices/
For “Prayers and Practice for Earthquake in Nepal,” see:
https://fpmt.org/edu-news/prayers-and-practices-for-earthquake-in-nepal/
You can receive an email daily digest of news from FPMT.org, including our updates from Nepal, by signing up at this address:
https://fpmt.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=97e3ebb09472d09e0e699efd3&id=b248a1a45e
Mandala brings you news of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and of activities, teachings and events from nearly 160 FPMT centers, projects and services around the globe. If you like what you read on Mandala, consider becoming a Friend of FPMT, which supports our work.