DDM Hosts Philanthropic Party Nationwide
Dharma Drum Mountain Social Welfare and Charity Foundation organized its annual Year-End Philanthropic Party on 25 November 2007 at the Jinmei Elementary School in Jinshan Township, Taipei County. The important message for this party was to remind participants to exercise compassion towards the needs of disadvantaged groups.
This year the party was held throughout 15 locations nationwide, including Nung Chan Monastery in Taipei, Zhaiming Monastery in Taoyuan, Taichung Branch Monastery, Tainan Branch Monastery, Ziyun Monastery in Kaohsiung, and other Peace of Mind Relief Stations located in Nantou County, Chushan Township and Dongshi Township. The response to this great cause raised funds to help nearly 2,600 low-income households.
The teacher of Venerable Master Sheng Yen, the Most Venerable Master Dong Chu, established the tradition of Year-End Philanthropic Party in 1950s, when Taiwan was still an impoverish state with an undeveloped economy. Master Dong Chu collected donations to buy rice, cooking oil and winter clothes, and distributed them to the low-income families and orphanages. This way, the poor and disadvantaged groups could celebrate the arrival of Chinese New Year with food and warm clothing.
Today, this caring gesture has been extended to the elderly living alone at home, low-income students, victims of the 921 earthquake in 2000 and those in urgent need of medicine.
This traditional act of compassion expounded by the past and present Masters as well as the DDM Social Welfare and Charity Foundation provided the disadvantaged groups with emergency relief for the coming festive season, and spiritual guidance in the face of hardship through sharing our compassionate thoughts with others. Venerable Master Sheng Yen and DDM Abbot, Venerable Guo Dong were delighted to bestow their blessings to all who participated in this most noble tradition and to those who have had fallen on hard times.
(translated by Jin Yang/edited by DDM Australia Editing Team)
