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Panorama
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Report from Formosa
Inauguration of
the Chinese Amphibious Rescue Association
[Taipei] After an extended period of professional training and practical experience, a group of earnest fellow practitioners from Formosa officially founded the Chinese Amphibious Rescue Association. On February 24, 2001, over a hundred jubilant members attended the Association's inaugural ceremony at Taipei's Ambassador Hotel to celebrate the fruitful completion of their arduous training!
The ceremony was preceded by a documentary video introducing the rescue efforts of the Association's land and marine training team members during Typhoons Xangsan, Toraji, and Nari, special newspaper reports, and television interviews with members at various disaster scenes. The documentary provided an understanding of the training, efficiency, and capabilities of Association members. The film ended with Master's heartwarming expressions of concern and encouragement for disaster-stricken residents of Formosa.
The inaugural ceremony began with introductory remarks by chairman Lo, a brother initiate, on the Rescue Association's formation through Supreme Master Ching Hai's encouragement, the process and principles of its establishment, and the objectives it hopes to achieve. Brother Lo especially mentioned how each member of the Association had made his utmost effort, enduring pain and hardship, to complete relevant training in physical fitness and professional techniques, while bearing in mind that rescue work must be accomplished as quickly and safely as possible. The members purchased the personal gear required for their training from their own money. Moreover, several times during the past six months, members from the southern and eastern parts of Formosa undertook long journeys to the north to participate in their training, sacrificing their time and money, all for their ideal of serving society. Their perseverance and stamina are truly admirable!
After brother Lo's address, the master of ceremonies read congratulatory messages from Formosa's Office of the President and Ministry of the Interior. Such recognition and support from the President and Minister greatly boosted the team members' morale. Participants also received plaques of commendation from the president and the vice president of the Legislative Yuan, the director-general of the National Fire Administration, and several legislators.
The rescue team has more than a hundred advisors in various parts of Formosa. At the ceremony, Professor Juan from National Taiwan University delivered a speech on behalf of the advisors, in which he mentioned that the Chinese Amphibious Rescue Association was the first rescue body to be established with the approval of the Ministry of the Interior since Formosa's Disaster Prevention Law went into effect. He hoped that the team members would embrace Supreme Master Ching Hai's compassionate and all-loving spirit, perform charitable acts without claiming credit, and fully demonstrate their love during their rescue efforts.
President Chen Shui-bianAfter the Association's agenda was discussed and its first board of directors and supervisors was elected, the inaugural ceremony came to an end. However, this event also marked the beginning of the Rescue Association's responsibilities. Deep inside, each member reminded himself that, with Master's recognition and encouragement, and support from society, he must truly put into practice the spirit of "genuine empathy and self-sacrifice" in order to offer his best service to God's people.
The inaugural ceremony of the Chinese Amphibious Rescue Society will be broadcast in Serial No. 45 of the TV program A Journey through Aesthetic Realms. For online viewing, please visit: http://137.hichannel.com.tw (Chinese)
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