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Updates from Nepal After the Earthquake
Kopan Monastery after the earthquake, Nepal, April 2015. Photo by Ng Yi Zhen.
The strong connection between the international FPMT community and Nepal cannot be understated. After all, Kopan Hill is where it all started. After receiving teachings from Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche during the first Kopan courses in the early 1970s, inspired students spread across the globe, starting FPMT centers and sharing Dharma. But FPMT’s work inside Nepal also has grown and expanded.
Currently there are several FPMT centers in Nepal: Kopan Monastery and Nunnery; the Himalayan Buddhist Meditation Centre, which is the “city center” located in Kathmandu; Ganden Yiga Chozin Buddhist Meditation Centre, located in Pokhara; and Lawudo Gompa and Retreat Centre, which is in the Solu Khumbu district that includes Mount Everest. In addition, Kopan Monastery oversees several projects in Nepal, including the Animal Liberation Sanctuary in Kathmandu; Mu Gompa and Rachen Nunnery, both in the remote Tsum Valley; and Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery in Solu Khumbu.
Early reports from Kathmandu, Pokhara, Tsum and Solu Khumbu indicate that, in general, people and animals are doing OK given the circumstances and some buildings have experienced structural damage. We will share more detailed reports and news from these different centers and projects as they become available.
To share more about FPMT’s involvement in Nepal, Mandala has posted the story “Nepal: ‘The Most Holy Place in the World,’” from Mandala‘s January-March 2013 issue. Here’s how the story begins:
“[Nepal] is really the most holy place in the world,” Lama Zopa Rinpoche said at a 2007 talk in Kathmandu on the “Value of Meditation and Pilgrimage for Nepal.” “Guru Shakyamuni Buddha took birth in Nepal, and not only that, so many great yogis who achieved enlightenment were born in Nepal. They practiced and achieved the complete path to enlightenment, the path that Buddha has taught. … So Nepal is unbelievable, such a precious holy place.” …
You can read the complete article as a PDF. From that same issue, you can see photos of FPMT activities in Nepal.
Geshe Lama Konchog Stupa at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, June 2011. Photo by Ven. Roger Kunsang.
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/
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.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching in Kopan Monastery’s main gompa, Nepal, April 28, 2015. Photo by Ven. Sarah Thresher.
28 April 2015, 9 p.m. Kathmandu time
From Ven. Roger Kunsang:
Services have started to come back. Kopan just got electricity and internet just now.
Rinpoche taught this afternoon, but still no initiation. Rinpoche taught mostly on emptiness and how earthquakes and Chöd are similar– they raise fear and you can use that. Rinpoche also taught, “The earthquake came from one’s own self-cherishing mind. … So take all the blame and put it on one’s own self-cherishing. … Don’t blame outside, don’t point the finger outside to others.”
Rinpoche is keen to help Thame, the town where he was born [near Mount Everest in the Solu Khumbu region], in particular, two families he has connections with. And so he sent US$3,500 for both families to help them with a tent and food. Through a lama there who does all the pujas for the dead of the poor families, we are trying to identify the families who now need help with food and tents. (Nobody wants to stay inside buildings.) We are going to try and focus on helping poor families in the area who have lost their homes. [FPMT International Office has established the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund to support these efforts.]
Still people are camped out and won’t go into their homes, if still standing. They are too scared another tremor will come. People were really freaked out with the big aftershock quakes and their effects.
I’m inside while writing this and am ready to run if tremors happen. That’s happened a few times and quite freaky as the building really shakes and trembles! And we really don’t know if the building will come down or not!
Lots of commercial flights coming in now to the airport, so I think things should be more settled by the time we need to leave. [Rinpoche’s teaching tour begins in New Zealand next week.]
Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaching in the gompa at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, April 28, 2015. Photo by Ven. Sarah Thresher.
Damage to Chenrezig gompa at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, April 27, 2015
From Ani Fran, who works as a manager at Kopan Monastery:
The damage is heartbreaking [at Kopan], especially the Chenrezig gompa. It is possible it will have to be pulled down and rebuilt.
But we are so lucky that Rinpoche is here, camping out with everybody else. Can you believe it!
Damage to Chenrezig gompa at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, April 27, 2015
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/
Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Ven. Roger Kunsang in the enlightenment garden at Kopan Monastery, where they have been camped out, Nepal, April 2015. Photo by Ueli Minder.
Light offerings at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, April 27, 2015. Photo by Ven. Sarah Thresher.
28 April 2015, 8 p.m. Kathmandu time
From Kopan Monastery staff:
Updated from day two, mid-day (yesterday)
As on the first day, we saw all the people either on the road or in open places. Most of them are staying under tents that are not waterproof. Most of them are asking for waterproof tents rather than for food and water. The government announced the distribution of tents, but they are still stuck somewhere, and foreign aid tents have not yet arrived. For the time being, food, water and medicine seem OK in the valley. The most relieving thing is that some people started to open their shops so that people can buy whatever they need.
We found some Red Cross rescue teams that are patrolling around. We met the team officer and introduced ourselves as volunteers from Kopan Monastery. They looked so tired but became so excited to hear about our help. We gave them our contact number and told them to call us any time for any help. While we were waiting for others to report at Kopan, Lama Zopa Rinpoche began to give pre-initiation teachings to monks and guests.
Kopan monks involved in emergency relief, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, April 27, 2015
After dinner all of us (monks and laypeople) gathered at Ri-gyab to pray for those people who died in this tragedy. Another aftershock came during the puja. Later we found out that it was a 4.5 magnitude earthquake. However, we concluded the session with extensive dedication prayers around 10:30 p.m. Finally, we are learning that the most affected areas are outside the valley, where people can’t get to easily. In these areas, the best help can be provided only with helicopters.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche accepting body, speech and mind mandala offering from Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi, abbot of Kopan Monastery, Nepal, April 27, 2015. Photo by Ven. Sarah Thresher.
27 April 2015, midnight Kathmandu time
From Ven. Sarah Thresher:
Lama Zopa Rinpoche taught yesterday afternoon in the Enlightenment Garden at Kopan. He gave the oral transmission of Daily Meditation. This evening, prayers and light offerings were made for those who have died and all sentient beings. At this time there is so much that is needed in this devastated country. Right now what the monastery can best do is pray for those who have died. There are still aftershocks and still monks and lamas sleeping outside. Kopan will slowly run out of food and water, so they are canceling the next course.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaches from under a tent in the Enlightenment Garden at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, April 27, 2015. Photo by Ven. Sarah Thresher.
VIDEO: Drone Films Bird’s-Eye View of Nepal Quake Devastation from NBCNews.com
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/
An emergency relief team was established at Kopan Monastery immediately following the earthquake.
In light of the recent tragic earthquake in Nepal, Ven. Roger Kunsang has asked FPMT International Office to set up a fund so that FPMT can provide assistance. Donations to the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund will be used to provide for the immediate and long-term needs of Kopan Monastery and Nunnery and other local FPMT centers resulting from the devastation caused by the Nepal earthquake.
Looking down from Kopan Monastery after earthquake, Nepal. Photo by Ven. Sangpo Sherpa.
These needs include food and shelter for more than 800 monks and nuns as well as structural repairs and renovations to buildings at the Monastery and Nunnery that are no longer safe to occupy as a result of the earthquake.
Tents around the stupa at Kopan Monastery following the earthquake.
In addition, Nepal Earthquake Support Fund will be used to offer immediate relief and support to other areas in the Himalayan region such as the village of Thame (Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s birthplace) where there has been an incredible amount of destruction. If sufficient funds are raised, grants may also be provided to other carefully vetted organizations providing earthquake relief efforts.
We will be providing updates on exactly how all donations from this fund are used. Already Lama Zopa Rinpoche has offered $3,500 for immediate relief in Thame for tents and food.
Thank you for your support to this fund. The damage and need is great and contributions like yours will help tremendously.
You can learn more about the prayers and practices that are recommended in response to this earthquake and for the many who have lost their lives.
Looking down at Kopan Nunnery after the earthquake, Nepal. Photo by Ven. Sangpo Sherpa.
27 April 2015, 10 p.m. (Kathmandu time)
From Ven.Roger Kunsang:
All at Kopan Monastery are spending the third night sleeping outside. Most people in the area are doing the same. People are very scared to sleep inside the houses as many homes are poorly constricted and damaged.
Today Rinpoche heard that half of the houses in Thame, which is Rinpoche’s birthplace in the Solu Khumbu region of Nepal, have been completely destroyed. Rinpoche immediately offered to sponsor tents and food to help the people in Thame.
I have asked FPMT International Office to set up a Nepal Earthquake Support Fund. This fund will begin the task of supporting Kopan Monastery and Nunnery and other affected FPMT centers in the area with any initial emergency needs, and then later on, will offer ongoing support for rebuilding. We will also use these funds to help others, as in the example of Thame.
This evening Rinpoche did prayers for all those who have died or are injured with all the Sangha of Kopan. Rinpoche gave the motivation for Most Secret Hayagriva initiation and is planning to give the initiation tomorrow.
Thank you all for your support of prayers and offering support to the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund.
27 April 2015, 8 p.m. (Kathmandu time)
From Kopan Monastery staff:
Nepal chaos by nature (Report from day one)
It’s the biggest tragedy from a powerful earthquake to happen in Nepal in 82 years. It was at 11:54 a.m., just after the lunch here at Kopan Monastery. Afterwards, we learned that it measured 7.9 magnitude, which is considered as very strong. It is officially report that more than two thousands people died within 3-4 hours from the initial quake. Fortunately, it hit during the daytime, otherwise the number of human casualties may be doubled.
Image from Kopan Monastery School Facebook page, Nepal, April 27 2015
At first there’s nothing much to do except stay away from the any building. All the monks moved back to Ri-gyab. Rinpoche started to pray along with monks, while we were looking around trying to find any casualties. We found that Chenrezig gompa and old guest room got pretty bad damages. All the staff members are busy sorting out problems. Tents were prepared for Rinpoche, monks and all the guests.
As soon as we came to know about the many tragedies that had happened in the city, we setup an Emergency Relief Team. The first thing that came into our minds to do was to donate blood. We went off to the Red Cross blood bank of Nepal to check. On the way, we witnessed on the roads and heard from the radio that many people were dead.
At night, all the people across the city are camped either in the road or open places. There is no light. All the medium of communication are jammed. You can feel the fear from people’s faces. Hospitals are full of corpses. Helicopters are flying all over the city. The government announced to stay away from any tall buildings or the like. It was declared five days off for all the schools across the country. It’s so creepy to see the affected area. Many buildings got cracked. Some might go down if it shakes again. People across the country are scared and tense. The government announced relief teams are on the way and international teams are arriving.
As we arrived at the Red Cross center. They were so happy to receive our help. At once, they asked us to bring people to donate. We came back to Kopan and made a list of donors. There were more than 40 people and we sent 10 of them as the first group. As first group reached the Red Cross, they told us to stay as standby. So, the first group went to Bír-Hospital and donate blood and whatever we had — medicine, bandages and gloves. The rest of the group stayed back as a backup. The mild shaking kept coming and one more strong shock came at 1:00 p.m. with rain and thunder.
Report from day two
The second day [after the earthquake] started with mild shaking around 8:00 a.m. After lunch we had an emergency meeting as we had come to know that many people were having a hard-time. We, along with our friends from overseas, decided to give any help to needed areas. A Search Team was setup and went in all directions to find out what and where we are needed.
By tomorrow we could be very busy helping. We thank all helping hands from our friends all over the world. Will update…
Additional update from Kopan:
The “Discover Buddhism” course scheduled to begin on May 3 at Kopan has been CANCELLED.
Other updates on courses will be shared as they become available.
To read all of the latest updates and news from FPMT.org on the Nepal 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/
For background on FPMT’s activities in Nepal over the years, see “Nepal: ‘The Most Holy Place in the World'” from Mandala January-March 2013:
https://fpmt.org/mandala/archives/mandala-for-2013/january/nepal-the-most-holy-place-in-the-world/
The following prayers and practices are recommended in response to the devastating earthquake (and subsequent aftershocks) which hit Nepal April 25, 2015.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche leading prayers for all those affected by earthquake. April 26, 2015
Prayers & Practices for Controlling and Preventing Earthquakes
Kshitigarbha mantra y Buddha’s name mantra en Español
Prière de Kshitigarbha et mantra du nom du Bouddha en français
Kshitigarbha mantra and Buddha’s name mantra in Chinese
Prayers & Practices for Those Who Have Died Due to the Earthquake
You can also keep up on news related to the Nepal earthquake disaster or donate to the Nepal Earthquake Support Fund.
Updates from Ven. Roger Kunsang at Kopan Monastery:
27 April 2015, 10am (Kathmandu time) Lama Zopa Rinpoche, all the Kopan monks and nuns (approximately 800) and about 25 foreigners who are at Kopan slept outside for a second night, tremors continued, many people piled in tents and outside, trying to keep dry from the rain. No one wants to stay inside the buildings while tremors are still happening. The situation is unclear, so we are conserving water and food.
Many of the 800 monks and nuns are very young (7-15 years old) so the older sangha are trying to look after them, help them not to be scared and try to answer their questions on why the earth moves.
Please continue to do prayers for all those affected.
From Ven.Sarah Thresher: From shortly after the earthquake began the main center at Kopan has been the garden of enlightenment where the big stupas of Geshe lama Konchog and Lama lhundrup are built. Rinpoche has been living there, daytime and nighttime, leading prayers, teaching, greeting people who come up, keeping people relaxed and in a positive state of mind. The very first day Rinpoche told us there is no point being worried and afraid, we must pray. So we have been doing prayers to control the earthquake, prayers for the people who have died, prayers to destroy the self-cherishing and self-grasping minds from where the negative karma as arise that cause all the suffering. With Rinpoche always present and the two great stupas as well, it feels like we are in a tranquil oasis of calm protected by all the BUDDHAS.
Last night was cold and wet and many more people slept in the tents. I heard they could hear Rinpoche chanting mantras loudly all night for sentient beings, for all sentient beings.
Tents around the stupa at Kopan Monastery
26 April 2015, 7pm (Kathmandu time) Lama Zopa Rinpoche and all the monks, nuns and students staying at Kopan are still sleeping outside (some in tents) as there continue to be aftershocks, some as big as 6.7.
There is still no internet, phone lines jammed and no electricity (although once a day generator at Kopan is turned on so phones can be charged).
Rinpoche is well and has been in the Kopan garden all day doing prayers, right now doing the King of Prayers dedicated for all those who have died in the earthquake.
Earlier today Rinpoche requested the monks and nuns to recite the Golden Light Sutra many times to prevent the continuing aftershocks and also the recitation of the Kangyur.
There is substantial damage to Kopan Monastery and Nunnery, a number of buildings are seriously damaged.
Ven.Sarah Thresher reports: The earthquake happened yesterday around lunchtime. It was Saturday and a holiday. Many people were gone. We were in the dining room when everything started to shake and most people ran out. In Rinpoche’s room there are many things and they were falling down. Rinpoche was sitting in the main room doing tonglen, taking the suffering of others and giving happiness. Rinpoche said this is the best practice, lojong, using whatever negative situation arises to destroy the self cherishing. After a while the attendants carried Rinpoche down to the stupa garden and everyone gathered around him. For hours Rinpoche led us in prayers. We did the prayers for earthquakes and we did tonglen. As we prayed the earth was shaking, sometimes quite strongly. Then Rinpoche began to teach and also give lungs for thought transformation practice. We were all so fortunate that Rinpoche, Osel and Khen Rinpoche were here along with the senior monks who took full control of the situation. Amongst the damage at Kopan is broken pipes. The internet also became very scarce and electricity off. We were fortunate we could get dinner and then many people slept outside. Rinpoche also was outside.
This morning again people were outside. The monks did prayers and also relaxed a bit. Rinpoche had lunch out in the garden and we listened to chanting and spent time with him. This evening Rinpoche led prayers for all the people who died until it started to rain heavily. There are still tremors and there has been a lot of destruction and deaths. But at Kopan we are all safe. Now it is raining and people are outside. Thankyou all for your concern and prayers.
Please continue to do prayers for all those affected.
Some of the damage at Kopan, 26 April 2015
Lama Zopa Rinpoche leading prayers at Kopan
Emergency relief set up at Kopan
26 April 2015, 10.30am: Last night everyone slept outside, there were many aftershocks. There is substantial damage to a number of buildings at both Kopan Monastery and Nunnery (the Chenrezig gompa, guest house, Norbalinka, Nunnery old gompa and kitchen) exact details will come later. Kopan Monastery and Nunnery will need our support soon. Currently there is no electricity, no internet and limited lines open for calls. So this is just a short update.
25 April 2015, 4pm: Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Tenzin Osel Hita and all at Kopan Monastery and Nunnery are fine after the strong earthquake that hit Nepal today. There has been some damage in Kopan (to buildings). Rinpoche’s sister – Ani Ngawang Samten and those in Lawudo are also fine (also some damage).
Please hold all those who have been affected by the earthquake in your prayers.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche has given advice on practices to do after earthquakes and also always recommends Medicine Buddha practice, Golden Light Sutra and King of Prayers.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Root Institute, Feb 2015. Photo by Ven.Thubten Kunsang