In Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association News from China…
On December 18, 2023, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck at the border of Gansu and Qinghai provinces in China, resulting in the loss of more than 125 lives, with hundreds injured and severe damage to some 150,000 homes. Making things more difficult were record-low temperatures in the area. Upon learning of this, our most Compassionate Master immediately contributed US$30,000 and requested that our Association members provide relief to those most in need.
In Qinghai province, our Association’s relief team found that villages in Zhongchuan Township, Guanting Area, were among the most severely impacted. Combining Master’s caring contribution with donations from our Association members, the most urgently needed supplies were purchased at the request of the Xiangyang Village chief. The relief items included rice, flour, vegetable oil, heated blankets, gloves, hats, scarves, electric hot water bags, warming patches, small stools, and more. Our Association’s relief team was able to deliver the supplies to a central location in Xiangyang Village on December 24, 2023. The Village Committee of Xiangyang Village later sent a note of thanks, expressing their residents’ gratitude for the timely help.
Upon discovering that 350 households in Zhongchuan Township’s Caotan Village were in need of stoves, our Association members set out to obtain them. Even though the manufacturing companies were completely out, our Association’s relief team found all 350 stoves, fully equipped, at a local store. The store even helped arrange a truck and assisted with loading, while another merchant offered a 50% discount on our vehicle’s disaster relief banner. On January 8, 2024, our Association’s team delivered the stoves to 350 households in Caotan Village, which were joyfully received by the villagers, who began using them the same day.
In Gansu province, another relief team purchased cotton jackets, pants, shoes, and bedding. These were distributed to 278 elderly earthquake victims who were living alone. Several impoverished local families also received the warm clothing along with much-needed rice, vegan noodles, oil, steamer pots, and kettles.
In February, our Gansu province relief team brought vegan food items and cash gifts to monks and nuns in a total of 34 monasteries in the quake-devastated Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture. After finding that some monasteries were short of bedding and grains, our team returned to the region with more vegan food items, as well as warm blankets and mattresses. For monasteries situated on mountaintops or in extremely remote locations, they entrusted local monks and nuns to help distribute the relief items.
In a second round of relief to Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu, our team focused on monasteries in need and donated blankets, mattresses, beds, rice, vegan noodles, and pots and pans for the monks and nuns. They also donated 18 sets of monastic attire, along with rice, vegan noodles, oil, bedding, steamer pots, etc. In addition, our team purchased 220 pieces of warm cotton-padded clothes for the children.
Our Gansu and Qinghai relief teams are grateful to our Beloved Master for Her selfless Love and assistance to the disaster victims in China, helping them rebuild their lives, thus reducing the suffering they endured. They also thank Master for the blessing of being able to deliver the relief items smoothly and according to need.
After reading the report from our Chinese Association members, Master wrote: “It’s good to render offering to the holy monks and nuns in lack of comfort. Thanks to all of you for going on long, arduous roads to help those in desperate need. May the Heavens extend mercy on good humans and other beings, that in the trap of illusion they might have done some offenses in contradiction to the loving universal guidance!”
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our Most Compassionate Supreme Master Ching Hai for Her abundant Blessings and support throughout our Association members’ travels to the quake-stricken areas. We are also grateful for the relief teams’ efforts, and the kindness of the storekeepers, village officials, and other volunteers who helped bring warmth and care to the earthquake victims during the cold winter. Wishing all the quake-affected residents a smooth and swift recovery of their fulfilling everyday lives, in the immense Love of the Buddha.
