Dalai Lama leads special prayers for Tibet flood victims in Dharamshala

DHARAMSHALA - Hundreds of Tibetans congregated at Tsuglagkhang, a Buddhist temple here, on Saturday, to offer special prayers for the thousands of people affected by floods and mudslides in Tibet’s Drugchu District.

The prayers, led by Dalai Lama, were offered in hope of the early attainment of a good rebirth for those killed, and a quick recovery for the injured.

“Today, we are praying for the people who have died recently in Drugchu district in Kanlho state of the Tibet Autonomous Prefecture. More then 100 people have been washed away by unexpected flood,” said Samdhong Rinpoche, the Tibetan Prime Minister in-exile.

Spiritual leader Ogyen Trinley Dorje also attended the prayer session with hundreds of Buddhist monks, nuns and other Tibetans, including the entire staff of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).

According to a report on Tuesday by Xinhua, the Chinese state agency, the mudslides in Drugchu have taken more than 700 lives, and as many as 1,400 people are still missing.

Last week, Tibetans in Dharamsala also organised a prayer ceremony for victims of the Leh floods that left more than 170 dead, and injured hundreds of others. Around 500 persons are reportedly still missing. By Akhilesh Bharti (ANI)