The Living Buddha's Absolute Love Reaches an Ancient Buddha's Land

By the Singapore Relief Team (Originally in English)

In September 2004, heavy rain lasting more than 24 hours combined with melting snow from the Himalayas caused flash flooding that inundated villages in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, where Shakyamuni Buddha spent much of his life spreading the Dharma. And guided by Supreme Master Ching Hai's endless compassion, fellow initiates from Singapore went to the region to conduct relief efforts for the flood victims. Some of the most severely affected areas were the Lakhimpur district, located about 200km north of the state capital of Lucknow, as well as a few other villages between 30 and 110km away from the city. The floods destroyed thousands of mud homes and all the area's agricultural crops.

After arriving in Lucknow, we located and assessed the affected districts, and noticed that many of the victims were women, children and elderly people who were left homeless, with hardly any belongings left to comfort them. After speaking with local village chiefs, the initiates catalogued the most urgently needed items and then immediately proceeded to purchase the supplies. Thanks to our Master's wonderful arrangement, the hotel where we were staying had a large hall that we subsequently rented to store and pack 43 tons of relief items.

The distribution operations began on October 7, and although some flood devastated areas were difficult to access due to their narrow, bumpy roads, through Master's guidance the distribution project was carried out successfully. Items were dispensed to an estimated 1500 affected families and included food, canvas for tents and stationery and sweets for the children.

Some of the work was conducted without breaks; however, all the relief workers felt Master's powerful love encompassing them and motivating them to proceed diligently with their tasks. Even the local drivers who transported us to the distribution sites were moved by Master's teachings and tried to lend a hand in the relief activities.

We also reached out to flood victims located along the riversides in Lucknow, where the inhabitants live in poor and run-down conditions. The flood placed them in even worse circumstances so they were overjoyed to receive food and financial aid.

The relief efforts were completed on October 9 and all the initiates who participated felt extremely happy and blessed to have witnessed God's perfect arrangements in such extreme circumstances. We also wish to thank You, Master, for showing us the way of selflessness and kindness, and for giving us the chance to put Your Teachings into practice by reaching out to the less fortunate.

Formosa | Mainland China | India | Russia | Grenada | Jamaica | the Domincan Republic | Florida, USA | Panama | Japan | Expenditures for Global Disaster Relief Aid by The Supreme Master Ching Hai, September and October, 2004