Seeds of Hope Under the Southern Skies
In December 2006, the new publication "Seeds of Hope Under the Southern Skies", was jointly published by Dharma Drum Social Welfare and Charity Foundation and Dharma Drum Publishing Corp.
Initial circulation of this book has sparked public interest towards Dharma Drum Mountain's (DDM/Fagushan) international humanitarian relief operations.
Celebrities, corporations and charity groups have shown tremendous support after over two thousand copies were distributed.
"Seeds of Hope Under the Southern Skies" recognizes the efforts made towards the "spiritual restoration" operations in disaster-affected areas. DDM's volunteers regarded the "spiritual restoration" plan as pivotal and assisted enthusiastically in the areas of education, health and improving the living conditions for the victims, helping them to cultivate a peaceful body, mind and family. Despite their heavy workload, volunteers fully familiarized themselves with the languages and customs of the affect areas, gaining the trust and friendship of the communities.
The Deputy Secretary-General of Dharma Drum Social Welfare and Charity Foundation, Iling Chen, indicated the book was not an appeal for pity and grief and that it is only through positive appeal and "spiritual restoration" efforts that disaster victims could recover from grief and trauma and step into a new future.
Dharma Drum Social Welfare and Charity Foundation aims to share the experiences of international humanitarian relief operations with others in its original plan; however, there were more stories and experiences to share following further relief operations. Therefore, under the auspices of Ihua Wu, Vice President of Dharma Drum Social Welfare and Charity Foundation, the book was published at the end of December 2006 with full support from Venerable Guo Yi, the Vice Executive Officer of Dharma Drum Publishing Corp.
"Seeds of Hope Under the Southern Skies" has been actively introduced to members of the public in Taiwan. Dharma Drum Social Welfare and Charity Foundation distributed copies to celebrities and decision makers of corporations, who also extended their strong support.
Venerable Guo Dong, the Abbot President of DDM, expresses in the preface: "The book has recorded the progress of humanitarian relief operations in the South-East Asian tsunami affected regions. It transports the reader to the disaster-affected areas and reveals the living conditions of the local victims and DDM's volunteers' contributions. Through the use of photography and the written word, we are able to fully sense that the impact of relief operations and can awaken the compassion within our hearts."
The 220-page publication plus attached CD illustrate the humanitarian work in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. "Seeds of Hope Under the Southern Skies" now can be found in major bookstores in Taiwan.
(translated by Jin Yang/edited by Abbey Wong)
