April 15, 2020

To all my Dear Friends in Australia,

I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation for your kind invitation to attend the Festival of Tibet in Brisbane. I regret that due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, I am unable to be with you in person at this event, which makes an important contribution to international Tibetan community development and to raising the profile of Tibet’s unique cultural tradition in the context of Australia’s multi-cultural society.

I hope and pray that you are all keeping safe and well. My congratulations to you all for your ability to adapt so quickly and effectively to the rapidly changing circumstances leading to this online gathering today. I am writing from India and would like to reassure everyone that I am in very good health.

I have been praying for all beings who are suffering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and particularly for those who have tragically lost their lives. This global crisis has left millions experiencing illness, grief and extreme hardship. We have all been required to drastically change our lives to prevent the spread of the virus.

In Australia, the standard of living is generally quite high, and the health care system is world-class. Nonetheless, every precaution must be taken to prevent the disastrous situations we are sadly witnessing in other highly developed nations. The Australian Government has made a very swift and encouraging response to protect its citizens by introducing social distancing regulations and by providing substantial income support to those in need.

I feel confident that the leaders of your great country are doing everything in their power to minimize the impact of the pandemic on the Australian population.

I feel deeply grateful to all those courageous people in Australia and around the world who are making great personal sacrifices and placing themselves and their families at risk in order to alleviate the suffering of others, including health care workers, teachers, police, grocery store workers, public servants and all those who continue providing essential services at this time. It’s also important to remember that countless people are caring for others at home, such as providing vital practical and emotional support to their loved ones, neighbors and strangers.

I would like to encourage everyone to continue helping and supporting each other, to overcome this difficult situation together.

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time,

Ling Rinpoche
15th April 2020

April 7, 2020

His Eminence Ling Rinpoche is praying for all beings everywhere who are suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic. This global crisis leaves millions of people experiencing illness, bereavement and extreme hardship due to a loss of income and livelihood.

While there is little practical support Rinpoche can offer at an international level, His Eminence feels particularly moved by the plight of India’s poorest people at this time and wishes to contribute to relief efforts.

India has provided a home to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and a large population of Tibetans who have sought refuge in this great country. India is also His Eminence Ling Rinpoche’s home. Rinpoche is therefore making a donation to the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES FUND), to be used for containment and relief efforts against the coronavirus outbreak in this country, and toward similar pandemic-like situations in the future.

Rinpoche prays that charities such as the PM CARES Fund will have every success in providing essential care and support to those people in most urgent need. Rinpoche extends his sincere, heartfelt appreciation to the Government of India for their efforts to contain the spread of the virus and save lives.

His Eminence feels deeply grateful to all those who are making personal sacrifices to alleviate the suffering of others and His Eminence encourages everyone to continue helping and supporting each other as much as possible, to overcome this difficult situation together.

Yongzin Lingtsang Labrang
New Delhi
7th April 2020

February 29, 2020

At the beginning of February, His Eminence Ling Rinpoche gave the Leaf Clad Goddess (Parnashavari) Initiation in Taichung, hosted by Drepung Loseling Taiwan. Parnashavari (Sanskrit) or Lomagyuma (Tibetan), dispels ignorance and protects from disease – in particular those of a contagious nature. This Initiation was widely requested due to the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) and it was live-streamed in this instance for thousands of students.

His Eminence Ling Rinpoche’s tour of Taiwan continued at the Bliss and Wisdom Monastic Community where His Eminence was warmly welcomed by the Abbot, monks and dignitaries. His Eminence gave a talk, blessed the monastery and visited and blessed the new building site. His Eminence then visited and paid respects to a highly revered Vinaya Holder in Taiwan – Venerable Guo Ching of Cheng Chueh Monastery in Nantou. His Eminence was kindly greeted by Venerable Guo Ching and all the Abbots and monks, and His Eminence enjoyed a discussion with Venerable Guo Ching about promoting peace, loving kindness and compassion in the world. On the final day of his Taiwan visit, His Eminence had a special meeting and gave advice to members of Drepung Loseling Association of Taiwan, before being wished a heartfelt farewell at the airport by many kind hosts, friends and students, on his departure from Taiwan.

From 6th -14th February, His Eminence Ling Rinpoche visited Japan. The trip commenced in Kyoto, where His Eminence was very well received by the Abbots and Sangha at four World Heritage Temples. His Eminence then visited Tokyo where His Eminence gave a special audience and talk for Tibetans and supporters of Tibet, at the Office of Tibet in Japan. His Eminence gave a public talk about the benefits of the Tibetan Buddhist understanding of the reincarnation process, and about his own relationship with the Ling Rinpoche lineage and with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Eminence also gave teachings on “Compassion Meditation and Practice” at Gogukuji Temple, Tokyo.

On 27th February, His Eminence arrived at Auckland Airport, New Zealand, where His Eminence was very warmly welcomed by representatives from local Buddhist Centers and members of the Tibetan Community in NZ.