See Rinpoche’s original letter, or read the text below:

On behalf of the Amitabha Foundation worldwide, the Drikung Charitable Society in India, and the associated Kagyud Thupten Shedrub Jangchubling Monastic Institute, I send my sincere condolences to the grieving families, the people, and the government of Japan following the recent catastrophic earthquake and tsunami.

On March 13, 2011, the Rinpoches, Khenpos and monks of the Monastic Institute conducted special prayers for all those affected by this terrible tragedy, and made butter lamp offerings to the Buddha on their behalf. A special prayer will be held again on this full moon day, dedicated to them.

Since Phowa, the transference of consciousness at death to the Pure Land of Buddha Amitabha, is my main teaching and practice, I performed it for all those who had lost their lives in this disaster.

We will also dedicate our annual intensive Buddhist practice, the 1 Billion Guru Rinpoche Drubchoe starting April 18, for the people of Japan and for all of humanity, that such natural and man-made disasters in the future may be averted, We request all the Buddhist practitioners and monasteries in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and those associated with Amitabha Foundation world-wide, to contribute to this practice and send (NY@amitabhafoundation.us) us their recitations of the Guru Rinpoche mantra to accumulate the 1 billion total.

We dedicate our prayers for world peace and that all beings may live in harmony, and with the aspiration that the environment of our mother the earth may be protected from destruction and hence further natural disasters be averted.

With my prayers and deepest sympathy,

H.E. “Choeje” Ayang Rinpoche

To contribute to the 2011 Guru Rinpoche Drubchoe prayers: