Karmapa's Statements about Nepal at Monlam in NY

Karmapa's speech was brief and from the heart, following an intense series of prayers at Riverside Church in Manhattan today, during the special monlam initiated to pray for both those who have passed away, and those who have survived and are suffering.

The vast pews were filled with students praying in tandem. 

Nepal is the birthplace of the Buddha, and has a "tremendously close connection" with the Tibetan people,  and the devastation is "a matter of great concern and intense feeling" for Tibetans, said the Karmapa, who is head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, and lives in exile in India. He was in Woodstock, NY, his North American seat, as part of this month's U.S. teaching tour, when the earthquake happened, and immediately began to pray.

"I want to offer my strongest prayers and aspirations for a good and happy rebirth for all those who have passed away (due to the earthquake) and for the quick alleviation of suffering for those who survived, and may they all be speedily returned to a state of comfort and happiness." To this end he vows to do everything in his power to assist.

He expressed gratitude to all those across the world who are assisting with disaster relief, including those who attended the monlam, and asked those in attendance to do all they can with body, speech and mind to assist.

THANK YOU KARMAPA