Turning hearts to Myanmar and Thailand: Monastic and lay community of Ba Vang Pagoda wholeheartedly support earthquake victims
The recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake has caused profound loss and suffering for the people of Myanmar and Thailand. In the spirit of compassion and solidarity with the international community and in response to the appeal of the Central Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Ba Vang Pagoda, under the guidance of Thay Thich Truc Thai Minh, has joined hands with the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to extend financial support to the two countries.
In addition, overseas Buddhists of Ba Vang Pagoda and those from the Yellow Chrysanthemum Club have collaborated with the Sangha and lay devotees of Parami Monastery (Yangon, Myanmar) to offer essential aid packages, including food and supplies, to earthquake-stricken residential areas, aiming to help alleviate local hardships. Specifically, the Pagoda's expatriate Buddhists donated 15 tons of rice, while those of the Yellow Chrysanthemum Club contributed 1,000 boxes of instant noodles and 1,500 packs of bottled water.
Alongside these material offerings, the Sangha and lay Buddhists of Ba Vang Pagoda held a five-day chanting ceremony—from the 6th to the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month—to pray for peace and dedicate merits to the victims.
With hearts full of goodwill and concrete acts, may the people of Myanmar soon overcome their hardships and Thailand swiftly recover from this natural disaster. May these wholesome actions continue to spread far and wide, connecting love and kindness across the globe.
At the Central Office 1 of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Standing Member of the Proving Council and Standing Vice Chairman of the Executive Council, Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, on behalf of the Sangha, received the donation from the Yellow Chrysanthemum Club
At the Central Office 2, Ms. Pham Thi Yen, chairwoman, along with Buddhist representatives of the club, made a financial contribution of 300 million VND to support the victims of the earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Though it may not be a great support, hopefully it can ease the burdens of those going through this difficult time
Overseas Buddhists of Ba Vang Pagoda and the Yellow Chrysanthemum Club have joined hands with the Sangha at Parami Monastery in Yangon, Myanmar, to prepare and deliver essential supplies to severely affected regions. During these challenging days, not only were material goods extended, but the warmth of human kindness and the spirit of the Buddhas teachings were also widely spread
Representatives of overseas Buddhists of Ba Vang Pagoda and the Yellow Chrysanthemum Club were present at Parami Monastery, joining hands with the resident Sangha to prepare offerings of rice, instant noodles, and bottled water for the disaster-stricken communities. Captured in this moment: Most Venerable U Wepulla, Abbot of Parami Monastery, and representatives of the overseas Cuc Vang Dharma Assembly gathered in compassion and action
Essential supplies were transported to Maha Wizitaryone Monastery in Mandalay in preparation for distribution to surrounding areas
The Head Master of Maha Wizitaryone Monastery graciously accepted the offering from overseas Buddhists of the Yellow Chrysanthemum Club, in collaboration with the monastics from Parami Monastery
A photo captured at Moe Kaung Monastery – one of the distribution points for essential supplies in Mandalay. Buddhist laypeople, in collaboration with the monks of Parami Monastery, delivered supplies to more than 71 monasteries in Chanayethazan Township. May the monasteries and surrounding areas soon recover, and may the local people return to a stable and peaceful life
Relief supplies were brought to Shwe Gu Gyi Monastery in Mandalay. A representative monk at the monastery kindly accepted the offerings made by overseas Buddhists in collaboration with the monks of Parami Monastery
The relief truck stopped at Ba Htoo Stadium in Mandalay to provide timely support to residents temporarily sheltering after losing their homes in the earthquake
When the packs of noodles, rice, and bottles of water reached the hands of those in need, they no longer remained mere material goods but gave comfort and hope in the time of hardships
The offerings were respectfully presented to the Buddhist nuns in Nun schools on Mandalay Hill, Myanmar
Amid the devastation left by the natural disaster, the provision of essential goods, in some way, helped local residents with their daily needs
A photo captured at another nunnery on Mandalay Hill
From Mandalay, the relief trucks continued their journey to Sagaing and delivered supplies to Shwe Thama Monastery to prepare for further distribution
At the playground in Wachat Village (Sagaing)—one of the areas most affected by the earthquake—locals gathered to receive essential goods distributed by the Buddhist relief groups, in coordination with local authorities
The venerable monks of Parami Monastery presented rice, noodles, and clean water to the residents of Wachat Village. May the people here soon overcome their difficulties, restore their lives, and live in peace and well-being
At Ba Vang Pagoda, Vietnam, the monastic and lay community vowed to recite sutras for five days, dedicating the merits to pray for peace for the people of Myanmar and Thailand, countries heavily affected by the recent devastating earthquake
"Whatever beings are assembled here, terrestrial or celestial, come let us salute the Buddha, honored by gods and men. May there be happiness…” (Excerpt from the Ratana Sutta chanted during the prayer ceremony) May the boundless blessings of the Three Jewels reach all disaster-stricken communities. May Myanmar and Thailand soon recover. May all beings return to peace and stability in their lives
Lay practitioners of the Yellow Chrysanthemum Club gathered at Ba Vang Pagoda gathered at Ba Vang Pagoda to wholeheartedly chant sutras and dedicate merit to the people of Myanmar and Thailand during the Pagodas monthly retreat in Uposatha Day
May the wholesome merits from this ceremony bring peace to those in suffering
