His Holiness the Dalai Lama has continued as usual to offer spiritual guidance for the Buddhist community in Syracuse. And so Syracuse Buddhists have recently joined the Dalai Lama in prayers for the victims of a tragic earthquake.
YC. Dhardhowa has reported for The Tibet Post International "His Holiness the Dalai Lama Offers Prayers for NZ Quake-Victims", http://bit.ly/ik5xXX. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has offered special prayers for earthquake victims in Christchurch city and has visited the victims and families affected by February's earthquake that devastated the city. Buddhists here in Syracuse have joined in prayers and in support of relief efforts for the survivors of this devastating earthquake.
Reports have said over 5000 people gathered to hear Nobel Peace Laureate and the spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama speak in the city. The Dalai Lama visited the city to show solidarity with the people in the country ahead of a scheduled visit to Australia.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama praised New Zealanders for always showing a genuine sense of concern for their fellow countrymen. The Dalai Lama also had private meetings with people who lost loved ones in the February earthquake and at the beginning of the prayer meeting he spoke briefly to each of the bereaved families.
The Dalai Lama has encouraged the survivors of this natural tragedy to look to the future with "a great sense of energy and enthusiasm". The Dalai Lama received a standing ovation from the crowd. He embraced family members of the earthquake victims and spent time with injured people and emergency staff at Christchurch Hospital.
The Dalai Lama commented that he wanted to share some of the city's "sadness". The Dalai Lama said "When you face some tragedy, and lose some people and some damage, as a friend it is my duty to come and share in your sadness. Let tragedy transform into inner strength, determination and self-confidence."
Mandel News Service: http://www.mandelnews.com
