In a show of solidarity and deep respect, Tibetans-in-exile recently convened to offer heartfelt prayers for the victims of the devastating floods and landslides that hit Himachal Pradesh. As reported by ANI News, the Tibetan community gathered at the Dorjeedak Buddhist Monastery in Shimla’s Panthaghati to pay their respects and hope for peace for the departed souls.
This special prayer ceremony is rooted deeply in Tibetan Buddhism. “According to Tibetan Buddhism, the 49th day after death is very important. We offer prayers for the souls of dead people, believing that the soul departs the area on the 49th day,” explained Tsedup Yingyen, a Tibetan Buddhist Monk. ANI News further highlighted that these rituals are integral for ensuring a “good rebirth” and guiding souls to heaven after death.
The significance of the 49th day isn’t exclusive to Buddhism. It resonates in Hinduism as well. “In Hinduism and Buddhism, the 49th day after death is considered very important, as we believe that souls leave the place where we are and then transition to the next life,” TenZin Sangrup, President of Bharat Tibet Samanvay Manch HP, shared with ANI News.
Sangrup further extended his condolences, “We feel very sorry that we have lost around 500 people in Shimla and throughout Himachal Pradesh due to floods and landslides.” Marking the 49th day since the tragic loss of 20 individuals in a flash flood at the Shiv temple in Shimla’s Summer Hill, the Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women Organization, and monks of the Dorjee Dak Monastery conducted these special prayers.
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In a detailed report by the State Disaster Management Authority cited by ANI News, since June 24, the monsoon season has taken a heavy toll on Himachal Pradesh. A total of 503 lives have been lost to various calamities, including 147 specifically to floods and landslides. Furthermore, the state has seen damages to 2941 houses, 421 shops, and 7247 cowsheds due to the torrential rains, resulting in 169 incidents of landslides and 72 flash floods.
The Tibetan community’s gesture serves as a poignant reminder of unity in times of adversity and the shared human experience of grief and loss. As Yingyen put it aptly, “In Tibetan Buddhism, we believe and preach to work for all sentient beings, and thus, we have offered prayers to those who died in our surroundings.”
Such acts of compassion, as documented by ANI News, underscore the deep cultural and spiritual ties that bind communities together, especially during challenging times.
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