Nepal disaster

adele

Hi, as Buddhists what can we do spiritually to help those affected by the quake and avalanche in Nepal this week?
As a Christian I would have said prayers and gone to mass but what practices can be helpful now as Buddhists - besides the obvious donating? I really don't know what the equivalent of intercessory prayers would be now - or would chanting help?
thanks.

federica

Dedicate Compassion and Loving Kindness (Metta and Karuna) to all victims, helpers and those indirectly affected (distant relatives)...
I recite the Blue Medicine Buddha Mantra, and complete 2 malas (4 circuits of 108 beads in all) expressing the desire that each bead represents 100 people. That makes just over 43,000 people so hopefully that more than covers it...

adele

thanks Federica that does help - i do have the medicine buddha puja from samye ling too which i could recite - i hadn't thought of using it.

karasti

Tonglen is also a wonderful practice. Pema Chodron does a wonderful job teaching it and if you google her and tonglen, you will find both written and video resources. It's quite easy.

Mostly, it is about intention. The more formal or ritual practices are just ways of directing intention.

adele

thanks Karasti, I will look her up on you tube.

MaryAnne

Please donate if you can, whatever you can, and pass the link along to friends and family.... Thank You. Namaste.

http://www.mercycorps.org/

Rowan1980

My sangha will be holding a Medicine Buddha Puja for the affected people of Nepal tomorrow evening.

Vastmind

Sending love, light and peace to everyone there.

I'll be hanging some prayer flags today.

adele

I found this

adele

... and this

adele

also this