Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - Concerned about the incessant, heavy rains in several districts of Andhra Pradesh that have caused loss of life, damage to property and brought hardship to so many people, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to the Chief Minister, Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, to offer his condolences to him, to the families who have lost loved ones, and to all those affected by the massive floods.
“I pray for them,” he wrote.
“I very much appreciate that the State Government and other agencies such as the national disaster relief teams are engaged in rescue and relief work and are doing their utmost to provide relief to people affected by this calamity.
“As a token of our solidarity with the people of Andhra Pradesh, the Dalai Lama Trust (DLT) is making a donation towards relief and rescue efforts.”
His Holiness mentioned that he had been able to visit Andhra Pradesh several times over the years, which included the opportunity to conduct a major Buddhist teaching at Amaravati in 2006. On that occasion, the State Government provided generous facilities to enable thousands of pilgrims to take part in the event and also visit sacred places like Nagarjunakonda in Guntur District, for which he remains grateful.
He ended by offering his prayers and good wishes.