TRC's New President Led Delegation to DDM on Deepening Philanthropic Collaboration

The Red Cross Society of the Republic of China (Taiwan), also known as Taiwan Red Cross (TRC), has cooperated with Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) Social Welfare and Charity Foundation (in the following referred to as "the Foundation") in disaster relief missions for many times. On November 19, 2024, Pan Wei-Ta (潘維大), the new president of TRC, visited the Foundation with an aim to deepen philanthropic collaboration. Accompanying him were TRC's core members, including Executive Director Wang Shu-fang (王淑芳); Secretary General Gau Ning-pal (高甯柏); Deputy Secretary-General Shiung Huan-jen (熊煥真); Director Anita Lin (林嘉慧) of Department of Disaster Relief; Director Lily Chen (陳奕莉) of Department of Social Work; Director Guo Wei-sheng (郭威聖) of Department of Education and Training; and Director Jeng Ya-fang (鄭雅方) of Department of Communication and Development. During their visit to the Foundation, they had an exchange with President Ke Yau-bi (柯瑤碧), Vice President Wang Chiung-ju (王瓊珠), Secretary General Ven. Chang Xing (常惺法師), and Chief Operating Officer Mike Lin (林志璁). 

During his presentation, COO Lin of the Foundation highlighted that DDM and TRC have cooperated in many major disaster reliefs over the past two decades, including the construction of the "Taiwan Village" in Sri Lanka in 2005 after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami; the reconstruction of the permanent housing "Ri-an Community" and the activity center in Fanlu Township, Chiayi County after Morakot typhoon in 2009; and the NT$3 million donation from the Foundation in support of The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)'s relief and rehabilitation program in Turkey after the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes. These examples are indicative of the close relationship between the Foundation and TRC.

TRC President Pan, who had participated in the three-day Chan retreat for prominent professionals led by Master Sheng Yen in 1994, shared that DDM's long-term Peace of Mind Plan in disaster-stricken areas has played a crucial role in soothing people's minds and restoring their mental health. Director Lin of TRC's Department of Disaster Relief indicated that their department is currently focusing on community disaster preparedness and education. Their pertinent tasks to enhance people's awareness of community preparedness include certifying disaster relief volunteers, promoting autonomous measures for disaster preparedness within communities, and planning disaster preparedness maps.

As Ven. Chang Xing pointed out, DDM should learn from TRC's rich experience in disaster prevention and relief. He also mentioned that, when offering disaster relief, the Foundation maintains the principle of "Four Fields for Cultivating Peace" proposed by DDM founder Master Sheng Yen to cultivate people's peace of mind, body, family, and actions. Moreover, DDM has been working on applying Buddhist teachings and the concept of Protecting the Spiritual Environment in its work to help disaster-stricken people calm their bodies and minds. It is hoped that both organizations will continue to work closely together in disaster prevention and relief, humanitarian care, and the Peace of Mind Plan in the future.



Original Chinese text and photos / Dharma Drum Mountain Social Welfare and Charity Foundation
Translation / Li Siang-ling
Editing / Keith Brown, YKL