Temple roof spreads love

These days, monks, nuns and Buddhists of Pho Mon Pagoda in Nghi Lien Commune, Vinh City (Nghe An) are actively encouraging people to "save one breakfast, one cup of milk tea, one gas fill-up", some less, some more, join hands to donate to help ethnic minorities in Yen Tinh Commune, Tuong Duong District - where in recent months there have been several flash floods, people's lives are facing many difficulties and deprivations.

Responding to the pagoda's call, many materials such as rice, instant noodles, clothes, textbooks, school supplies... from all over the country are being transferred to the pagoda to accompany the second "Loving Heart" program to the West in mid-October 2018, to help people here soon stabilize their lives.

Previously, on August 12, Pho Mon Pagoda coordinated with Bao Nam Commune, Ky Son District to organize the first "Loving Heart" program, examining and giving free medicine to 650 people and giving 250 gifts to disadvantaged families in the area. The total value of gifts and medicine was 126 million VND.

People of Bao Nam commune, Ky Son district receive charity gifts from Pho Mon pagoda. Photo: Huy Thu

It is known that in recent years, despite many difficulties in operation (the main hall - where Buddha is worshiped, the monks' house, and ceremonies... are all covered with corrugated iron roofs), Pho Mon Pagoda has continuously had many charity programs for the poor in and outside the province.

Every year, the pagoda organizes about 10 charity trips to remote areas of mountainous districts such as Ky Son, Tuong Duong, Con Cuong, Thanh Chuong... even to Huong Son (Ha Tinh) to give gifts, visit and distribute medicine to the poor. In addition, before the new school year, before Tet, especially when local people suffer from natural disasters and floods, the pagoda has called on benefactors and donors to join hands to help those in difficult circumstances in a timely manner.

At Chi Linh Pagoda (Gam Pagoda) in Xuan Thanh Commune, Yen Thanh District, volunteer activities are also cared for and taken care of by monks, nuns, and Buddhists. With the desire to share difficulties with the poor and poor patients, in 2013, the pagoda established the "Rice Fragrance of Hometown" club, gathering local retired teachers to do charity work, regularly distributing free porridge twice a month to patients at Yen Thanh District General Hospital.

Giving hundreds of gifts to people in Bao Nam commune, Ky Son district. Photo: Huy Thu

The pagoda also established a “Fund to help poor Buddhists” with a capital of over 100 million VND, which has helped dozens of poor families borrow interest-free loans to develop their economy. Every year on major holidays, the pagoda often organizes charity programs such as “Tet for the poor”, “Drinking water, remembering its source” to visit and give thousands of gifts of cash and necessities to families with preferential policies, families in difficult circumstances, and poor students who have overcome difficulties.

Currently, the pagoda is taking care of and educating many orphaned children with no place to rely on, helping and creating jobs for more than 50 people with disabilities. Over the past 5 years, the pagoda and sponsors have built a number of bridges for people, dozens of houses of gratitude for families in difficult circumstances, and supported facilities for many schools in Yen Thanh, Ky Son, Quynh Luu districts...

It can be said that, along with the process of Buddhist revival in the province, which is the consolidation of the church organization, many pagodas have been restored and rebuilt, many places of worship have been embellished to be more beautiful and spacious, the social, cultural and sports activities organized by pagodas in recent times, including charity activities, have brought many practical meanings, especially to the poor with difficult circumstances in society.

Free medical examination and medicine for people in Bao Nam commune. Photo: Huy Thu

With the Buddhist spirit of “entering the world to save the suffering”, pagodas consider charity as a part of Buddhist activities, to bring love to everyone. Depending on the specific conditions of each pagoda, monks, nuns and Buddhists call for donations at appropriate times and organize charity programs of different sizes.

Venerable Thich Tue Minh - abbot of Chi Linh Pagoda (Yen Thanh) said: “According to Buddhist concept, charity is a compassionate heart (Compassion is giving joy, compassion is saving suffering). In addition to sharing material things with the poor, charity also encourages people to overcome the difficult life ahead to have joy and hope. However, charity must be in the right place, the contribution must be full of merit, associated with conscience, responsibility and compassion, which is truly the bridge to encourage people's trust and noble spirit”.

The hardships of volunteer trips to Mon Son commune, Con Cuong district of Chi Linh pagoda. Photo: Huy Thu

In the charity activities initiated by pagodas, besides some objective difficulties, the advantages are fundamental. First of all, it is the enthusiastic response of Buddhist monks and nuns, of men and women near and far, the coordination of the government, departments and organizations at all levels, the companionship of philanthropists, benefactors, including businesses and entrepreneurs who have special sympathy for Buddhism.

Therefore, in the charity programs, as soon as the pagoda called for donations, everyone unanimously supported and during the implementation process, there was the cooperation of many kind-hearted people. The charity trips to the West of Pho Mon Pagoda (Vinh City) traveled hundreds of kilometers, had to go through many steep passes, muddy roads, many sections of the road had to be "rolled up pants to push the cart" in Ky Son district, in the group there were many elderly people (70, 80 years old), many doctors, physicians, and traditional healers from the South who were not familiar with the local climate, but they were not discouraged, still "went to the place, returned to the place".

Giving gifts to people in Mon Son commune, Con Cuong district. Photo: Huy Thu

Ms. Tran Thi Thu (48 years old) - Head of the volunteer committee of Pho Mon Pagoda shared: "Each volunteer trip to a difficult area has left each person with their own emotions. It is the sharing and empathy with the poor that has warmed the hearts of Buddhists and motivated them to be more enthusiastic on their volunteer journey."

The volunteer programs of pagodas, together with the humanitarian activities of departments, organizations, students, charity clubs, etc., have created a widespread volunteer movement, bringing practical and humane meaning to society.

Venerable Thich Quang Bao - Head of the Cultural Committee, Buddhist Sangha of Nghe An province shared: From the village pagodas, volunteer activities have spread love everywhere. Volunteering is also a way to connect religion with life, to dedicate merit to ancestors and Buddha. Doing volunteering increases merit and contributes to a peaceful life. Through volunteering, we also find that our lives are more meaningful, to strive for a good life and a good religion./.