Dear All Pusas,

Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar (aka Burma) on May 3, 2008 and the magnitude-7.9 quake struck Sichuan Province of China on May 12, 2008. Tens of thousands of people have lost their lives and hundreds of thousands are now left homeless. Dharma Drum Social Welfare and Charity Foundation has sent a relief team to Myanmar (on 5/11) and another relief team to Sichuan China (on 5/15) (see attachments below).

Guided by the Buddhist spirit of “unconditional loving kindness and universal compassion”, the entire international DDM organization is also conducting prayer services to transfer merits to those who died in the disasters and those who were injured. It also continues to encourage disciples to donate money to help the disasters’ victims, using a caring mind of humanity and gratitude for the opportunity to help others.

DDMBA is now accepting donation for the humanitarian relief onto the disasters’ victims. For those who wish to donate, please make your check out to “DDMBA”, indicating on the check that the donation is for: “Myanmar Cyclone Relief” or “China Earthquake Relief”. Please send your check to:

DDMBA, 90-56 Corona Avenue, Elmhurst, NY 11373

Attn: Disaster Relief Fund

For more details, please call: 718-592-6593. Donors may also choose to pass or send their checks to their local DDMBA chapter. Each local DDMBA chapter will then send all donations to DDMBA in NY together.

DDMBA will join the relief team and provide the humanitarian relief directly to the disaster regions.

Thank you.

DDMBA

DDM Relief Team Set Off for Sichuan for Humanitarian Assistances & Peace

A deadly earthquake that struck Sichuan Province of China in the morning of 12 May 2008 (US EST) has left tens of thousands dead and severe causalities.

For extending Buddhist compassion and exercising the spirit of Bodhisattva, the relief team was soon successfully round up by the Dharma Drum Social Welfare and Charity Foundation on 13 May and is ready to set off for earthquake-hit regions of Sichuan via Hong Kong on the morning of 15 May.

Besides giving material support, the Vice About President, Venerable Guo Pin, will on behalf of Venerable Master Sheng Yen and the Abbot President, Venerable Guo Dong, join the team for spiritual counseling of victims' vexed minds.

The relief team carried basic necessities worth NT$12 million donated by the Ruentex Group and DDM, including tents, instant noodles, medication and drinking water, in the hope of soon assisting the victims back to normal track in life.

Venerable Master Sheng Yen and Venerable Guo Dong expressed their warmest cares to the victims and directed the Foundation to offer humanitarian assistances in Sichuan as much as possible for compassion.

DDM Relief Team to Provide Humanitarian Assistance to Cyclone Victims in Myanmar

Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar (aka Burma) on 3 May, 2008. Tens of thousands of people have lost their lives and hundreds of thousands are now left homeless. It is the worst natural disaster to hit the country since the 2004 tsunami. International humanitarian relief organizations are ready to head to Myanmar to provide basic living necessities to those affected by this devastating cyclone.

Dharma Drum Social Welfare and Charity Foundation was quick to react and has organized for a relief team to set off for cyclone affected regions on 11 May. Extending Buddhist's compassion for the world, the Foundation will donate approximately two tons of basic necessities including blankets, drinking water, medication, raincoats, lights and tents.