Recently, there was an earthquake in Nepal, the centre of the Buddha’s teachings in the world. Nepal is a very scared place because the most important holy objects in the world there remain there. There are many Buddhist monasteries and it has a large population. I am very saddened about the great calamity the people there are now suffering. But what are the interdependent causes and conditions that lead to such suffering? According to the Dharma, we understand the principle of interdependent arising. There are very few beings in the world who possess Bodhichitta and the afflictions of most beings are very coarse. Guru Rinpoche said: “In these final five hundred years of decline, the afflictions of sentient beings are very coarse.” Nowadays, the five destructive afflictions arise uncontrolled in the minds of sentient beings; their love and compassion is weak, their hatred and jealousy is strong, and they accumulate endless karma that continuously ripens. This is the source of all suffering. So, what should we do when beings encounter such suffering? We pray: “May beings have happiness and the causes of happiness.” What is the cause of happiness? We should understand it to be love and compassion. And we pray: “May beings be free from] suffering and the causes of suffering. Suffering arises from hatred and jealousy. It is important to understanding the workings of karma, cause and effect, and to recongize that our suffering is the result of our own actions. Those who do not know this, are tormented by suffering greatly. For this reason, especially all those of us who have entered the Buddhadharma, should perform dedication prayers for the deceased and refuge prayers for the alive, as much as we can. I am also very saddened by the fact that many precious Buddhist monasteries and places of worship have been devastated. As practitioners we should remember the death of so many people is a consequence of karma; as it is said: “When I am happy, it is due to the kindness of the Three Jewels; when I suffer, it is due to my own karma.” If we do not consider this we will experience unbearable suffering. So, our happiness is the kindness of the Three Jewels: the slightest well-being of the higher realms, all the happiness in this world, arises as a result of actions committed with love and compassion. What should we as practitioners understand with respect to the source of such suffering? The afflictions within one’s own mind, such as hatred and jealousy, are the causes of suffering. As a result of karma committed with such afflictions, beings all over the world experience suffering, such as the suffering caused by the outer elements and all sorts of harm and injury. Regarding the suffering caused by the elements: a person’s body consists of the five elements. The subtle essence of the five elements are the five afflictions. The outer five elements and the five elements of one’s body are the same. When the five elements merge with self-grasping, the five poisonous afflictions arise. It is referred to as “poison” because all actions committed with a mind of attachment, hatred, and ignorance are non-virtuous. As a result of accumulating such karma, beings experiences such suffering all over the world. However, what shall we do? Those of us who have entered the Buddhadharma and understand that the cause of virtue leads to the result of happiness, should pray for the victims with love and compassion. The cause of happiness of all sentient beings is love and compassion. Therefore, we should all make prayers and dedications for the deceased and we should make offerings and help the survivors to whatever extend we are able. If you are not able to offer material help, you should make prayers with a pure intention. In particular, since this place is very special, housing many sacred objects of worship - all the jewels of this world - we should perform prayers properly. Personally, wherever I go, I pray as well as I can, always performing dedications for the deceased and offering refuge to the alive. So, dharma practitioners in particular should view it from the perspective of karma, cause and effect: This is the consequence of karma committed with hatred and jealousy. Henceforth, it would be a great benefit if we would make an effort to discipline ourselves in abandoning such causes. If we do not know how to abandon “suffering and the causes of suffering”, once we have created these causes, we will have to experience suffering. In brief, understanding karma means to know that if we create the causes of happiness - engage in actions with a mind of love and compassion - then we will not encounter such suffering. If we understand karma, we will know how to abandon the causes of suffering now, and we will know how to create the causes of happiness for the future. This is very important. I myself, will pray as much as I can, continuously, day and night. All other dharma practitioners should also take refuge in the Three Jewels and make prayers according to their own lineage. All the religions in the world strive for the benefit and happiness of sentient beings. Thus, all religious practitioners should offer their prayers. Having obtained a precious human body, if we do not give rise to love and compassion for all sentient beings, if we do not establish a firm connection of kindness and love to others, and if our minds are disturbed by afflictions, then also the outer five elements will be disturbed. When the outer elements are disturbed, unimaginable suffering such as this will arise. Thus, it is very important to trust in karma, cause and effect, and consider it again and again. Tashi Delek to all!