Dharma Drum Mountain Supports Chinese Language Education in Northern Thailand

Padang is a small mountain village in Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. Pei-Ying Middle School is the village's only Chinese-language school. Following a windstorm at the end of 2024, the Dharma Drum Mountain Social Welfare and Charity Foundation formed a connection with Pei-Ying Middle School. After learning about the school's Chinese language education needs, the Foundation launched a volunteer teacher Chinese education program in October of this year.
On November 17, the second group of volunteer teachers—Zhang Huifeng (張慧豐) and Fang Liqin (方麗琴)—completed the handover at Pei-Ying Middle School with the first group teachers Cai Yuying (蔡玉英) and Zeng Yuruo (曾聿若). The two new volunteers will continue the mission of education and loving care, beginning a one-month teaching journey in Chinese language.

The two teachers of the first group, Cai Yuying and Zeng Yuruo, arrived in Padang Village on October 20. After understanding the school's educational environment and the students' proficiency levels, they formally began classes on October 27. Their students included more than 200 children from kindergarten, elementary school, and junior high school.
 
Most students at Pei-Ying Middle School are descendants of soldiers who remained along the Thai border after the Chinese Civil War. Principal Jing Taiying (景泰英) introduced the homeroom teachers of each class to the volunteer teachers, hoping that through their cooperation, the students' Chinese language ability could be enhanced. The principal also gave the volunteers full support in both teaching and daily life.

In addition to using teaching materials from the Overseas Community Affairs Council, the two teachers designed interactive and engaging lessons, such as Chinese expression exercises using block-building activities, sitting meditation, and reading texts like "108 Adages of Wisdom" and "Living with Great Wisdom." These lessons incorporated the concept of spiritual environmentalism, encouraged students to practice public speaking, and helped them overcome their fear of speaking Chinese.
During the school's regular Saturday assembly, student representatives delivered speeches. Teacher Zeng Yuruo led the whole school in practicing expressions of gratitude and positive praise—an embodiment of the ideal of "uplifting the character of humanity and building a pure land on earth."
 
In teacher development, the volunteer educators also integrated meditation and Buddhist teachings.
On November 8 (the 19th day of the ninth lunar month), the day commemorating Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva's renunciation, Teacher Cai Yuying invited the ninth-grade homeroom teacher to lead students in chanting the Heart Sutra. In addition, teacher Cai Yuying played recordings from Dharma Drum Mountain, enabling students to experience concentration and calmness through rhythm and tone.
Teacher Zeng Yuruo used the principles of "adjusting the body, the breath, and the mind" as guidance, teaching fourth-grade teachers how to chant the Heart Sutra and practice relaxation—an educational approach grounded in mental and physical stability.
 
On November 8, during the Bodhisattva's renunciation day, Principal Jing took special care to allow the children greater exposure to Buddhism. He invited the entire student body and villagers to gather at Zhonghua Temple, the village Buddhist temple, to participate in a Dharma assembly. For many children, it was their first time attending such an event. The two teachers explained the purpose of the Dharma assembly and taught the children how to respectfully greet others using a Buddhist salutation.

"When Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva was practicing deeply the prajñā pāramitā…"
The assembly centered around chanting the Heart Sutra. Before it began, the children were guided in calming meditation and in reciting the sacred name of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva. After the sutra chanting, they were led in taking the Three Refuges and making dedication of merit—planting seeds of compassion and faith in their hearts.
 
Now, the second group of volunteer teachers—Zhang Huifeng and Fang Liqin—has taken up the teaching mission, continuing this aspiration of compassion. May more people see the light shining within this mountain village, and may the fire of compassionate education continue to burn in the hearts of these children, helping to create a Pure Land in this world.




◎ Text  Photos / Dharma Drum Mountain Social Welfare and Charity Foundation
◎ Translation: Patricia Yang 
◎ Editing: Keith Brown