DDM Abbot President Visited Taroko, Hualien to Care for Pupils in the Disaster-stricken Area

At noon on April 10^th, the DDM Abbot President, Venerable Guo Huei (果暉法師), made a special trip to Fushi Elementary School (富世國小) in Hualien to care for the teachers and students of Sibao Elementary School (西寶國小), who temporarily resettled there in order to continue their learning. He also led Venerable Chang Shun (常順法師), Secretary General of DDM Social Welfare and Charity Foundation; Venerable Chang Kong (常空法師), Vice Director of DDM Hualien Practice Center, and adherents to go to the East Entrance to Taroko National Park to pray for disaster-stricken residents to rebuild their homes smoothly.

After the earthquake, the Abbot President immediately instructed DDM Hualien Practice Center and DDM Social Welfare and Charity Foundation to take action to settle the bodies and minds of local residents and rescue workers. DDM Social Welfare and Charity Foundation set up Equanimous Booths at shelter centers to offer cash supplements to both the families of the victims and the students affected by the disaster. The Foundation also called on more than 80 local followers to recite scriptures at the joint memorial service in the funeral home as prayers for the deceased. DDM Hualien Practice Center also provided accommodation for the displaced.


The Abbot President and his retinue also went to Sibao Elementary School, the only forest elementary school in Taroko National Park, which was severely damaged by the earthquake. The Abbot President accompanied the children to play the drums, in order to heal their bodies and minds through music. Principal Li Zhi-cheng (李志成), along with teachers and students of Sibao Elementary School, also shared with the Abbot President their experiences of being stranded during the past few days. On behalf of all the staff, teachers and parents, the principal thanked the rescue teams and all sectors of society for their help in freeing the teachers and students from the disaster area safely and smoothly.

The Abbot President and the followers cordially offered their blessings and condolences to the teachers and children and presented them with basketballs, stationery, and other gifts. Later, accompanied by Principal Li, the Abbot President, DDM Venerables and volunteers went to East Entrance to Taroko National Park to pray for the deceased by reciting Guanyin Bodhisattva's name and the Heart Sutra, with the hopes of finding the missing people as soon as possible.

The Abbot President also visited DDM Hualien Practice Center to care for the local adherents. He shared Master Sheng Yen's words, "As long as we are still breathing, we have boundless hope," and encouraged everyone to settle their bodies and minds by reciting the Buddha's name in their daily lives. DDM Social Welfare and Charity Foundation also organized various activities at DDM Hualien Practice Center for people to stabilize their bodies and minds through music and tea Chan programs.

Local resident Chang Su-yan (張素燕) said that she was sketching in Taroko when the earthquake struck on April 3^rd, after which she was stranded in Taroko for five days and four nights. When learning that the Venerables and adherents of DDM Hualien Practice Center had been praying for the missing people, she was grateful for the blessings of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and DDM's heartwarming assistance.


DDM follower Zhao Mi-yang (趙宓楊) shared that, after the earthquake, she took significant financial losses as her home has been listed as condemned property. Nevertheless, she felt thankful for the help of DDM Hualien Practice Center, which offered expedient accommodation for her and her grandson. They felt quite relieved by the care of the Venerables and the companionship of volunteers.








Original text written in Chinese by Jiang Bi-ren (江璧任), Zhang Yao-zhong (張曜鐘), Fu Li-xian (傅莉嫻)
Photos provided by Jiang Bi-ren (江璧任), Huang Shing-yu (黃興育), Liang Jin-man (梁金滿), Wang Jiun-jr (王軍智), Yang Ming-shiun (楊明勳)
Translation: Siang-ling Li
Editing: Keith Brown, YKL