Miami Shambhala Buddhist Meditation Group

Practice for Victims of Cyclone Nargis and Earthquake in China

15 May 2008 - Members of the Shambhala mandala are encouraged to support the victims of the recent devastation in Burma/Myanmar and China through their practice and generosity.

The Shambhala community may wish to include all those who are suffering in these disasters in their daily practice. Practice may be offered on behalf of all the victims, through the dedication of merit. Tonglen contemplation will be of particular benefit, especially for all those, both the dead and the living, who are seized with intense fear, grief and despair.

The Sutra on the Heart of Transcendent Knowledge may be recited on behalf of the victims, either individually or as part of group practice, reciting the mantra 7, 21 or 108 times as circumstances allow.

As the Sakyong has written:

"We become comfortable in our own environment, and we feel emotionally detached when a disaster strikes someone else. Meditation on compassion is the ideal practice under such circumstances. Sometimes we imagine compassion to be a noble and spiritual activity. In fact, it is our natural response to the world when we relax our mind enough to truly take in what is going on around us.

One of the most beneficial meditations in Buddhism is to contemplate how fortunate we are to have this precious life. Death comes without warning. Therefore we should not waste time in meaningless mental activity, when we could be engaging in compassion and love. The point is to remind ourselves that this human life is a rich opportunity; we should use it wisely, which means doing what our mind naturally yearns to do -- extend itself to others with kindness and care."

Those who wish to give material support to the international relief efforts now underway are encouraged to do so. Numerous agencies are active, including the Red Cross and Red Crescent. Further postings related to relief work and first hand reports may be found in the sangha announce archives.