By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Jan. 29: Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has expressed concern over the coronavirus epidemic in China that has so far claimed the lives of over 130 people and has spread across many countries in the world, according to official Chinese statistics.
The Tibetan leader while speaking to a group of devotees at his residence here recently urged praying for the viral epidemic in China to be brought under control. He said, “There is an ongoing outbreak of a viral disease in China. China is historically a Buddhist country and we as followers of Buddhism, either of the Sanskrit or Pali tradition, must pray together for the epidemic to subside.”
The octogenarian Buddhist leader also urged those who believe and are familiar in recitation of mantras to recite the Arya Tara mantra to ward off as well as alleviate the fear and suffering of people who are affected by the ailment. “There are many people around the world who are worried and scared about the epidemic- I pray for them all,” the Dalai Lama said.
The Dharamshala headquartered Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute known as Men-Tsee-Khang, has made available preventive pill by the name of Rinchen Gujor Rinnag Chenmo that claims to counter the spread of any viral outbreak. The same pill was highly in demand back in 2003 when SARS virus killed around 800 people in China and worldwide. Many Tibetans at Men-Tse-Khang’s clinic here and in Delhi have lined up to purchase the pill to be sent to relatives in Tibet. Stock for the highly prized pill has run out and fresh batches are being produced, sources said.
China’s National Health Commission on Wednesday said that 132 people had died from the virus and the number of confirmed cases increased to 5,974. While there have been no reported deaths outside China, Thailand has reported 14 cases of infection; Hong Kong has eight; the United States, Taiwan, Australia and Macau have five each; Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia each have reported four; Japan has seven; France has four; Canada has three; Vietnam has two; and Nepal, Cambodia, Germany and the United Arab Emirates each have one.
