How can meditators help with the widespread destruction caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan?
Before Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment he was a confused twenty- and thirty-something looking to learn how to live a spiritual life. Each week in this column we look at what it might be like if Siddhartha was on his spiritual journey today. How would he combine Buddhism and dating? How would he handle stress in the workplace? What Would Sid Do? is devoted to taking an honest look at what we as meditators face in the modern world.
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I am simply horrified by what is happening with the Japan earthquake today. It's on Fox News, CBS News, MSNBC, everything. Thousands are dead or missing. What would Sid do in the face of such tragedy? ~ Sammy
Looking at the footage of the widespread destruction from the earthquake and tsunami on CNN I can't help but feel heart-broken, just like you Sammy. Natural disasters happen so suddenly and there is something that my mind cannot fathom about the sheer number of people who have been affected here (and may continue to be affected even as close as Hawaii and the West Coast). Yet there they are, images of today's devastating 8.9-magnitude earthquake which caused a tsunami that tossed cars like beach balls, left bodies in the streets, and tore families apart. It's absolutely horrible.
It can also feel disempowering for those of us overseas watching these events unfold. If Sid was sitting beside me on my couch watching this footage I have a couple of ideas as to what he might do.
When one becomes a member of Shambhala there are three things requested of them: that they practice and study the teachings of the Buddha, that they offer their service in the form of volunteering to help their local meditation center operate, and that they give something financially to help pay for the space and staff that keep the place open. I think this model for membership can be applied to a Buddhist response to the tsunami crisis.
Practice
Even if we are novice meditators we can keep our hearts open to the suffering we see and hold the victims of the earthquake in our meditation practice. If you know tonglen practice you can do tonglen for Japan, for the victims and their friends and families. At the very least you can meditate on loving kindness and, in your own words, dedicate your meditation practice to all of those suffering in Japan.
Service
Opportunities for people who want to volunteer in Japan have not been announced, to the best of my knowledge. If anyone has a lead for medically trained or other types of professionals who wish to offer their services in Japan please leave that information in the comment section. If you are like me and unable to offer your services directly to the victims you can help raise awareness about this tragedy so our collective prayers may travel to Japan and anywhere else this tsunami may strike.
Generosity
Many organizations state that in the midst of a crisis like this the most highly recommended form of support is through making a donation. There are a number of organizations that you will likely be able to donate to in order to support Japan. The Red Cross is just one of these organizations who, incidentally, are also providing solid information on what is happening on-the-ground. In the days ahead I am sure more information will be made available on this front. I hope people will list other worthwhile organizations in the comments section.
The important thing to remember is to continue to keep an open heart and not shut down and ignore the suffering of our fellow human beings in Japan. If we can offer our practice, service, or generosity to the victims of the tsunami then we no longer need to feel disempowered. I invite others to share their own reflections on how we can help our friends overseas.
Soka Gakkai community centres throughout the affected region have been opened to provide accommodation and food for the public, including seven in the worst-hit Miyagi prefecture where Sendai city is located.
The Soka Gakkai Tohoku Culture Centre in Sendai is now the regional emergency coordination centre for the organization's relief efforts.
The Soka Gakkai Headquarters, as well as Soka Gakkai members in Yamagata prefecture and the Shinetsu and Kansai areas, have sent trucks containing relief supplies such as water, blankets, food, stove burners and portable toilets.
Youth members in Yamagata prefecture on the north western coast, which experienced relatively little damage, collected food and beverages including bananas, sausages and tea, as well as nutritional supplements and medicine, and drove trucks carrying these supplies to Sendai. Mr. Akihiko Morishima, regional leader of Soka Gakkai in Miyagi prefecture, commented, "We are so grateful for the encouragement and support we are receiving from throughout Japan and around the world. Now we are working hard to rescue the survivors. Here we pride ourselves on our 'indomitable spirit,' so no matter what the circumstances, we will not be defeated. We are putting all our energy into transforming this terrible situation."
Sensei’s message
"I offer this expression of heartfelt sympathy and support to all those whose lives have been impacted by the massive earthquake that struck north eastern Japan on March 11, 2011. My wife Kaneko and I are sending powerful daimoku to you, my precious, treasured friends, for you to be able to experience the clear and certain protection of the Buddha and the Buddhist deities. As Nichiren Daishonin declares, 'Myo means to revive, that is, to return to life.' (WND vol.1, p.149) Now is the time to muster the indomitable power of faith and practice, in order to bring forth and make manifest the boundless power of the Buddha and the Law as we together strive to transform this great suffering and trial. Again, I offer my deepest sympathy to all who have been afflicted.”
Soka Gakkai Relief Activities
In response to the massive earthquake and subsequent tsunamis which devastated parts of northern Japan on March 11, the Soka Gakkai central emergency communications centre at the Soka Gakkai Headquarters in Tokyo is coordinating closely with local emergency centres set up by Soka Gakkai in the prefectures concerned to gather information, contact those in affected areas and initiate relief efforts.
In the mean time, I like so many of these comments, can't help but focus on the impermanent nature of all. Those who have passed on from this tragedy don't need our thoughts, but for those left behind my heart is open wide. Many in Japan are Buddhist, I hope there thoughts on impermanent nature bring comfort.
It should make us feel humble to notice its awesome power and remind us that Buddha's
infinite Wisdom and Compassion will exist long after men rule the Earth.
Shintaro Ishihara, the governor of Tokyo, said the quake and tsunami were “divine punishment” that “should be used” to “sweep away” the Japanese people’s “selfishness,” “materialism” and “worship of money.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/world/asia/20future.html?pagewanted=2&sq=Shintaro%20Ishihara&st=cse&scp=3
help where you can. it is the right thing to do. it is the right way to think. lots of loving kindness is needed.
Don't you know anything about Buddhism. The answer is in the four noble truths.
1. Earthquakes happen. Get used to it. Suffering is normal.
2. The reason why you suffer is because you care about earthly friends and possessions.
3. You can find relief from suffering.
4. The relief will come by following the eight-fold path. Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration.
If we do want to find relief from suffering then we can practice good conduct, as outlined in the eight-fold noble path and that can, in a more on-the-ground way, include practicing on the behalf of the victims of this disaster and making offerings for their benefit. I hope you keep reading and commenting.
We all seek the same truth and we all find it in the same God.
Namo Amida Bu