“In Shigatse, in the Dingri Tibetan region, there has been a severe earthquake disaster. Many of our fellow Tibetans have passed away, and it seems there have been numerous tragic injuries. When we hear such sad news, our minds become filled with huge unbearable sadness and distress. Therefore, for those like me who are outside Tibet, many of our fellow Tibetans are concerned about this and for their sake, we offer prayers and pay close attention to what needs to be done.” –excerpt from 17th Karmapa’s message
On Tuesday, 7th January 2025, a powerful earthquake struck a remote Tibetan region, killing at least 126 people and wounding more than 180 others, and over 3,600 homes reduced to rubble. With tremors felt in Nepal, Bhutan and parts of northern India (Bihar).
The epicentre of the quake was the Shigatse high-altitude county of Dingri, located on the Chinese side of Mount Everest and home to about 62,000 people. Shigatse is considered one of the holiest cities of Tibet. Around 6,900 people live in 27 villages within a 20-kilometer radius of the epicenter, according to state-run Xinhua News Agency. Dingri County itself is home to approximately 62,000 residents, 99.9% of whom are said to be Tibetan.
According to media reports, the earthquake measured 7.1 on the Richter scale, while the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) recorded a magnitude of 6.8. At the epicenter of the devastation, roughly 4,200 meters above sea level, videos show soldiers pulling dust-covered survivors from collapsed homes, cradling frail children in oxygen masks, and working through the freezing night to unload winter tents from canvas-covered trucks. The high altitude and remote Shigatse (Dingri) is experiencing extremely cold temperatures of about that dropped to minus 18 degrees Celsius this week. The extreme cold and high altitude has hindered rescue efforts, according to media reports [2].
Shigatse is often unquestioningly reported by international and Tibetan media to be the seat of the Panchen Lama, a significant figure in Tibetan Buddhism, whose appointment was mainly a political one, after the Dalai-Gelugpas seized total authoritarian control of Tibet in the 17th Century, with the assistance of a full-scale and violent Mongolian military invasion. However, prior to that violent and destructive time (that led to the murder of the Tibetan King of Tsang and the forcing into exile of the 10th Karmapa), the Mongolian army attacked Shigatse and either destroyed the Karma Kagyu monasteries or forced them to convert to the Gelug tradition.
Messagse from the 14th Dalai Lama, 17th Gyalwang Karmapa and Tibetan exile leader, Penpa Tsering
The international media were quick to report a message from the 14th Dalai Lama regarding the tragic earthquake ( some incorrectly stating he is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism). Yesterday, on 8th January, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje published a video message on Facebook expressing his concerns about the natural disaster and offering his prayers to Tibetans who have died or been severely affected by it. I have translated his speech below for the benefit of those who do not understand Tibetan (a Chinese translation has been kindly provided below that).
I was surprised to hear he only mentioned Tibetans in his message, as it is possible that animals and Chinese citizens or foreigners there may also have been harmed. Buddhist masters and practitioners are supposed to treat all beings with equanimity, love and compassion regardless of their race, gender, sex, nationality and so on.
In addition, the 17th Karmapa did not give any public message of concern/condolence to the people seriously effected (and killed) by the floods in November in Northern Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, which they said was one off the reasons for the sudden cancellation of the planned Kagyu Monlam Thailand there. Perhaps there were good reasons for his not doing so.
Since 1950, there have been 21 earthquakes of magnitude 6 or above in what is know as the Lhasa block, the largest of which was the 6.9-magnitude quake in Mainling in 2017, according to CCTV. Mainling is located in the lower reaches of Tibet’s Yarlung Zangbo river where China is planning to build the world’s largest hydropower dam. The Tibetan exile elected leader of the Central Tibet Administration (Dharamsala), Penpa Tsering, used the tragedy to mainly make a political point to China about the environmental issues in that region, despite photos of Chinese (and Tibetan) soldiers and rescue workers helping people in the region [1]. Again, like US politician, Nancy Pelosi, diplomatically unwise and still ignoring the main obstacle to political movement from China, the Dalai Lama-Gelug institution and sectarian power since the 17th Century, that destroyed to ruins and forcibly converted/stole many Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, especially in central Tibet .
Nonetheless, it was indeed heartbreaking to see the horrendous photos of rubbled buildings and also a ‘relief’ to hear and see the 17th Karmapa speak and be physically present, as he has still not been able to return to India since 2017, and unable to visit Sikkim and visit his Rumtek monastery there since he arrived in India in 2000, 25 years ago!
Offering prayers and condolences to all beings negatively effected by the tragic disaster and may all beings experience well-being, health, happiness and the fully awakened state of Buddhahood.
English translation of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa’s message regarding the Shigatse earthquake
“Today, in Shigatse in the Dingri Tibetan region, there has been a severe earthquake disaster. Many of our fellow Tibetans have passed away, and it seems there have been numerous tragic injuries. When we hear such sad news, our minds become filled with huge unbearable sadness and distress. Therefore, for those like me who are outside Tibet, many of our fellow Tibetans are concerned about this and for their sake, we offer prayers and pay close attention to what needs to be done.
Similarly, when I browse through social media platforms, I see many messages from fellow Tibetans inside Tibet – people from all three provinces – offering support to those in the Dingri area. There are also many messages of assistance and solidarity and it is very moving. When one sees directly people in the middle of such situations, various feelings and emotions come up about it.
Today’s situation is extremely tense and urgent, and at the same time, it has become a kind of transformative situation. On the one hand, all of us ‘relatives’ are united as a single group. And similarly, we feel as if we are all one big family. When this kind of feeling is able to arise in us, it becomes a kind of relief amidst the chaos.
Therefore, from my own perspective, for the sake of the deceased brothers and sisters, I pray for them. Similarly, for those who are currently injured, I pray for their quick recovery. And likewise, I ask that we continue to support each other. Whether it’s the local government, the various levels of leadership, or all our Tibetan brothers and sisters, may we continue to support, help and take care of each other.”
Translated by Adele Tomlin, 9th January 2025. Apologies for any errors.
Endnotes
[1] Ignoring as well the fact that eating slaughtered animals daily en masse is considered to be the number one cause of environmental pollution, waste of natural resources and climate change, and directly contrary to Buddha’s teachings.
[2] One detailed media report reported that:
“The devastation caused by Tuesday’s earthquake is a grim reminder of the region’s seismic vulnerability. In 2015, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Nepal claimed over 9,000 lives, becoming the country’s deadliest quake on record. Dingri County, which borders Nepal to the south, was also severely affected, with 80% of homes damaged….
By 7 p.m. on Tuesday, more than 12,000 rescuers had been mobilized across the region for search and rescue operations. Teams had successfully rescued 407 people and set up 14 relocation centers, providing temporary shelter for over 30,400 displaced residents. Relief efforts were bolstered by 100 million yuan ($14 million) allocated by the central government to support disaster relief and recovery. While Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “all-out” rescue efforts in the region, Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing led a team to the disaster zone, overseeing operations and coordinating aid distribution.
By 10 p.m. Tuesday, the first shipment of over 5,800 cotton tents, clothing, and other supplies had arrived in Dingri County, with an additional 16,000 items expected to arrive on Wednesday. Supplies include emergency food, heating equipment, and donations from enterprises and charities. In addition to rescue and relief teams, over 340 medical workers have been deployed to the quake-hit areas, state media reported.”
Chinese translation