Words for Nepal and Tibet, by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
I am deeply saddened by the recent devastation in the Himalayas that has taken so many precious lives. This Year of the Horse is traditionally an especially sacred year for pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, and among those who lost their lives were pilgrims making this sacred journey.
I have been offering prayers for all who passed away, their families and loved ones, and everyone affected by this tragedy. Members of our sangha have also been offering prayers, dedicating merit, and supporting relief efforts in whatever ways possible.
Moments like this bring the truth of impermanence very close. They remind us how precious and fragile this life is, and how deeply we belong to one another and to this living world. It has become obvious that caring for our Mother Earth is simply part of caring for all beings.
May those who have passed be free from fear and suffering. May the merit of their pilgrimage, together with our prayers and virtuous actions, accompany them on their journey forward.
May this tragedy open our hearts rather than close them. May it awaken greater compassion, greater care, and a deeper appreciation for this precious world and all who share it.
– Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
